Anthony Zilis

John Matanda Tshipama has taught for 27 years, including time at three schools in his home country of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Yankee Ridge Elementary School in Urbana,

In her third year teaching fifth grade at Fisher Grade School, Morgan Wilson is known for her ability to make learning fun and engaging, even with more challenging topics.

Stacy Arie’s first teaching job came at her alma mater, Champaign Centennial High School, and 33 years later, she’s still there. The Bondville native works as an ESL teacher and

Stacy Arie’s first teaching job came at her alma mater, Champaign Centennial High School, and 33 years later, she’s still there. The Bondville native works as an ESL teacher and

Heather Payne has worked as a social worker in Urbana schools since 2010, first at Yankee Ridge Elementary School for seven years before transitioning to Urbana Early Childhood School.

Luisiana Hernandez has worked for the Urbana School District since 2014 in various roles after a spell as a Spanish Language Arts teacher from 2005-08.

For the last 32 years, Jeffrey Fuller has taught physical education and health along with the occasional geography class. His last eight years have come in Urbana, where he teaches adaptive PE at Gerber School on the campus of the Cunningham Children's Home.

In her first year at the Urbana Sixth Grade Center, science teacher Diamond Bibbie made an impact beyond her classroom, taking the lead in planning the school's Black History Month assembly.

After overcoming difficulties related to his dyslexia as a child, Ryan O'Connor has spent his career teaching students to overcome their own hurdles.

During her 15 years of teaching Special Education and 11 years at Champaign Central, Cheryl Morton has always made sure to create an environment in her classroom and her school