Shining Star 2025 Recipients

Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation (CUSF) will honor ten teachers in 2025 with the Shining Star Awards.  Selected Unit 4 and District 116 teachers are nominated by their peers and exhibit exemplary service, extra effort, enthusiastic attitude, and innovative ideas that noticeably benefit their students.  Unit 4 Schools are represented by Mandee Crow – Librarian, Carrie Busey Elementary, Jeremy Peterson – Special Education, Centennial High School, Meghan Gentry – Social Worker, Bottenfield Elementary, Serita Palmer – Kindergarten, Booker T. Washington STEM Academy, Stacy Baby – First Grade, Robeson Elementary, Heather Terry – Speech Language Pathologist, Stratton Elementary and William Villaflor – Social Worker, Franklin STEAM Academy. District 116 Schools are represented by Hannah Romanchuk – ESL/French Co-Teacher, Yankee Ridge Elementary, Nathan Westerman – Career and Technical Education, Urbana High School and Shirley Moreland – 7th Grade English Language Arts, Urbana Middle School.

In the heart of Carrie Busey Elementary, librarian Mandee Crow has turned the library into a hub of joy, leadership, and learning, where over 15,000 books have been checked out in just three quarters—an average of 35 books per student. Mandee teaches students to “use a critical eye” when researching, equipping them to paraphrase, quote, and cite sources confidently by the time they leave elementary school. Kashnig states, “My entire class enthusiastically told me about the library lessons they were learning about how to find truths and lies on the internet.” Mrs. Crow’s fifth-grade helpers even run the checkout desk when the specialist is absent, making the library a true center of community and student empowerment.

Jeremy Peterson’s meticulous work crafting student caseloads ensures that every student with special needs connects daily with a familiar, supportive adult. “Most teachers have an impact on just the students in their classes, but Jeremy manages to have an impact on hundreds of students at our school and students that aren’t even at our school yet,” colleague Michael Rotter shared. From helping with IEP meetings for students not on his caseload to collaborating with junior high teams in advance of transitions, Jeremy’s reach and care extend far beyond his classroom. Described as “the glue that holds us all together,” his efforts uplift both students and colleagues across the entire school. 

Meghan Gentry (social worker) is the heart of Bottenfield Elementary, known for her trauma-informed care, tireless advocacy, and the Snowflake Program she founded to support families during the holidays. She meets individually with each child to gather their wish lists, then ensures over 25 families receive hand-delivered gifts—anonymously and with dignity. Her nominator, Brittany Booth, states, “ Meghan has led both building-level and district-level professional development sessions on trauma-informed practices, helping others understand how trauma impacts children and how to best support students with emotional and behavioral needs.” Following a tragic student loss this year, Meghan was a pillar of strength: organizing grief support, therapy dog visits, and classroom resources, while standing beside the grieving family from the hospital through every memorial. “Her caring nature draws kids to her,” her nominator wrote, “and many turn to her for guidance and support.”

This year, Serita Palmer took on the extraordinary task of teaching two kindergarten classes combined—solo—due to a staffing shortage, all while maintaining joy, grace, and deep connection with every child. Her students “light up when they see her,” and she imparts “beautiful life lessons that go beyond any school curriculum.” Known for building lasting bonds with families and showing up for every school event, Serita is more than a teacher—she’s a cornerstone of her school community whose impact echoes long after kindergarten ends.

A beacon of positivity and leadership, Stacy Baby (first grade teacher) exemplifies what it means to be an empowering educator. “Each action a person takes defines a leader… and that is Stacy Baby,” her nominator, Sunny McMurry, wrote. Her creativity, extra effort, and infectious energy not only benefit her first-grade students but have also transformed the culture of Robeson Elementary. Sunny states, “When students were studying fairy tales, she hosted a ‘Fairy Tale Ball,’ inviting students to dress up as any character from the fairy tales and then playing games and directing activities. In fact, a highlight of my own class’s day was dancing with their first grade reading buddy during the ‘ball.’” Stacy’s influence is felt in every corner of the building, where her innovative spirit and joyful presence leave a lasting mark on students and staff alike.

With a calm presence and an open door, social worker William Villaflor is a trusted anchor for students at Franklin STEAM Academy. Known for his willingness to go above and beyond, Will once rode the bus home with a new student so they wouldn’t have to navigate it alone. In February, Will breathed new life into the all-staff self-care day. He didn’t just plan activities – he personally recruited local professionals to run trauma-informed yoga sessions, give chair massages and lead art therapy workshops. “In my twelve years of teaching,” his nominator, Kayla Leitschuh said, “I’ve never met anyone who embodies the spirit of this award more than Will.” His judgment-free support and genuine care make him a lifeline for students adjusting to change, facing challenges, or simply needing someone to listen.

At Stratton Elementary, Heather Terry’s commitment as a speech language pathologist is nothing short of remarkable. With a caseload often exceeding 60 students and little to no extra support, Heather works tirelessly with a “warm smile and positive attitude about it all.” She is also utilizing online learning platforms to learn Spanish in order to reach our multilingual students and families. Additionally, Ms. Terry takes on Speech and Language University students, to give back and provide much needed knowledge and mentoring. Colleagues say it’s hard to put into words the level of passion, dedication, and joy she brings to her role—helping students find their voices, one conversation at a time, while inspiring everyone around her with her boundless energy and heart.

Hannah Romanchuk’s passion for hands-on learning has transformed the landscape—literally—at Yankee Ridge Elementary. She is not only the ESL/French co-teacher, she is also the driving force behind the school’s garden. Hannah secured grants, built beds with community partners, and waters the plants daily every summer, even when school is not in session. She also runs a student garden club, purchased two hydroponic garden towers with CUSF grants, assembled them and teaches students sustainability and science in real time. “She did most of the work from the start,” her nominator noted, and her dedication continues to grow a community of curious, engaged learners—one seed at a time.

At Urbana High School, Nathan Westerman is transforming the landscape of Career and Technical Education through his unwavering dedication to student success and innovation. He was recently awarded a $10,000 grant from Caterpillar to support the Project Lead the Way, in addition to securing multiple other grants—including those from Illinois Green Schools and the Green Alliance—to expand engineering opportunities for students, such as launching the Capstone/Engineering Design and Development course. “He connects his students to UIUC annually,” his nominator Rachel Spencer shared, “taking them to the Engineering Open House, exposing them to a vast array of projects, and providing them additional opportunities to practice their own professionalism in the real world.” As if his tireless work for students weren’t enough, Mr. Westerman is also pursuing National Board Certification, further exemplifying his commitment to excellence in education.

At Urbana Middle School, Shirley Moreland (7th grade ELA) is a guiding light to nearly 900 students and a mentor to her colleagues. She meets individually with each of her 100+ students to learn about their lives, then designs personalized journal covers that become vessels for their dreams, thoughts, and fears. “She really knows them,” her nominator, Patti Booth Hodges, wrote—families, siblings, even former students who still reach out for help editing college papers or navigating life. She’s also a familiar face at the Urbana Free Library, gathering books that ensure joyful reading for all levels. Patti says, “She is always there for her coworkers too. She is the facilitator for our Team but so much more. Whether it is to simply listen as they vent, collaborate, problem solve or brainstorm, she is there for us, without judgement, when we need her.”

All Shining Star recipients will receive a $250 cash award and a $250 CUSF grant for their classrooms in the upcoming fall.  Teachers will be recognized at the annual CUSF Spring Fling Teacher Appreciation Social 04/30/2025 at Riggs in Urbana.

The mission of the Champaign Urbana Schools Foundation is to invest in an equitable and empowered future for Champaign Urbana by strengthening the community’s commitment to our public schools, teachers, and students.