“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…

His quiet demeanor and calm personality discreetly hides how much of a fighter Ben Unander is. Mr. Unander, Special Education Teacher at Urbana High School, is a champion for his students. Mr. Unander relentlessly pushes to ensure his students are successful and defines success for his students as reaching a level of understanding. Ben’s goal…

Those of you who know Brandy Smith, the Receptionist for Urbana School District 116, knows she loves to joke and tell humorous stories about her kids. What you may not know (is) that Ms. Smith is also a writer, script consultant, as well as a mother of two. She has worked on feature films such…

Great things happen when you move in the direction of your dreams. For Elizabeth Nieto her dream of becoming a teacher was inspired in elementary school by a few of her elementary teachers, Mr. Larson, Mr. Osborne, and Mr. Durland. In December 2020 Elizabeth’s dream will come true as she will earn her K-8 teaching…

Lights, camera, action… CRITIQUE! Students at Urbana Middle School may not be aware that their teacher Mr. Chuck Koplinski is much more than a Middle School film teacher. Mr. Koplinski is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association who hosts the Critics Choice Awards. At this event, Mr. K (as many in the district…

His personality is a perfect match for his serene workspace. Matthew Murrey is quiet as the books in the Urbana High School library, and like those books once Mr. Murrey opens up you learn a lot about what’s inside. Matthew Murrey is a man with a vast background. He spent some time working in the…