Canton native Tonja Huff has joined the Nursing Education Team at Spoon River College as full-time faculty member after teaching part-time since the fall semester.

“The love of learning led me into teaching, and I’m excited to be a full-time member of this team,” Huff said.

Huff started her nursing career as an LPN through the nursing program at Spoon River College and then earned a Diploma in Nursing at the Graham Hospital School of Nursing. After 12 years working on the floor, she received a Bachelor’s of Science and then a Master of Science in Nursing Education.

Huff’s nursing experience includes surgery, obstetrics, and geriatric care. “Nursing has provided me an amazing opportunity to not only take care of a client’s medical needs, but also have the chance to make them feel safe, cared for, and heard.”

“My nursing career started with learning at Spoon River College. I have fond memories of participating in a Habitat for Humanity project that included a 24 Hours of Homelessness event, where I slept on the campus lawn in a refrigerator box.”

Huff resides outside of Hanna City with her husband of 35 years, Curtis. They have “two beautiful daughters who have given us four grandsons,” and Huff enjoys spending as much time as possible with those grandsons, Curtis, 7, and Justin, 5, who live close by.

The Nursing and Allied Health department at Spoon River College offers an Associate Degree in Nursing, a Practical Nurse Certificate, and a Nurse Assistant Certificate and is accredited by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

photo of Tonja Huff