“We want our students to have access to and literacy in the latest and cutting edge technology to ensure they are competitive and prepared for the workforce of the future.” 

Omari Thomas is truly a product of the Urbana School District 116 school system. He attended Yankee Ridge Elementary, Urbana Middle School, and graduated from Urbana High School. Omari’s current position all started with his educational training. “I went to Parkland College and earned an Associate’s degree in graphic design. He took his love for tinkering with computers and paired it with his native understanding of visual arts, and turned it into A+ and Network+ certifications. 

Omari remembers his first time using technology as a toddler when dad bought him an Atari 2600. It blew his mind that he could actually play games on television and not have to go to the arcade. After mastering how to play Pac Man, he taught his mom and they would play together for hours at a time. From Atari, Nintendo, Sega, Playstation his parents bought it, he conquered it and thus began Omari’s passion for computer technology! 

Mr. Thomas not only dabbles in computer technology, he also has a love for graphic design. “I got into graphic design because I’ve always enjoyed being creative. Whether it was through drawing, molding modeling clay, or using MS Paint/MacPaint on computers, the ability to envision and make what you wanted really appealed to me at a young age, I would spend hours upon hours recreating science-fiction battle scenes from movies and books.”

In addition to drawing, Omari likes taking things apart, seeing how things work, and the challenge of reassembling them again. He has repaired VCR‘s, “modded” Playstations to play pirated media, and installed car audio systems. Omari, as he describes himself, “I’m kind of a hybrid.  I would say that I sit directly in the middle of technology and graphic design.  In my “spare time” at home, I work on projects related to graphic design: arts, logo designs, t-shirt making, and things of that nature. Then when I’m here at the district, I’m trying to troubleshoot and figure out innovative ways for teachers to use technology in the classroom. I’m kind of in the middle and I love it there.”

Omari thinks that it is very important that IT personnel have a passion for learning and keeping up with new technologies. When describing his mindset to approaching his own professional development Omari explained, “As new jobs emerge and become more technical, it is important to keep up with the requirements of an expanding field.”

Omari is not only focused on his professional development in the workplace, but also meeting his personal goals, for example, getting his printing business, CU Differently, restarted after COVID.  He is currently taking courses toward CompTIA Security+ Certification (cybersecurity analyst). While balancing time between work and family which many people can relate to,  Omari says, “You gotta do what you gotta do to make things happen.” Omari certainly makes things happen in Urbana School District 116. If you ever have a moment to chat with Omari, you should. He approaches conversations the same way he approaches life. He aims to leave everything and everyone in a better way than they were before encountering him.