The Unit 4 Board of Education approved 14 administrative appointments during its June 13th meeting.
Ms. Cheryl Dearing was selected as the Assistant Director of Special Education. She began her career in education in August 1998 as a Special Education Teacher with Livingston County Special Services Unit in Pontiac, IL. In August 2002, Ms. Dearing joined Pontiac CCSD #429, serving as a Special Education Teacher. After five years, in July 2007, she accepted her first role as a school administrator as the Dean of Students at Pontiac Junior High School. In July 2008, Ms. Dearing accepted a position with CCSD #429 as the Special Needs Director/Preschool Coordinator, a position she held for 11 years. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, Ms. Dearing joined Unit 4 Schools as Principal at the Early Childhood Center. She will leave this position to become the Assistant Director of Special Education.
Ms. Dearing holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Illinois State University (May 1998) and a Master in School Administration from Concordia University (May 2007).
Ms. Lauren Lannert was selected as the Special Education (10 Month) Administrator. She began her career in education at West Chicago School District 33 in West Chicago as an Inclusion Facilitator in August 2005, a position she held for four years. In August 2009, she joined Geneva School District 304 in Geneva, IL as a Resource Teacher. Beginning with the 2010-2011 school term, Ms. Lannert accepted the position of Case Manager/Special Education Teacher at Acero Schools in Chicago, IL. In January 2016, she joined Erie Elementary Charter School in Chicago, IL as a Case Manager/Special Education Teacher. For the past three years, Ms. Lannert has served as an IEP Specialist/LEA at West Chicago School District 33 in West Chicago, IL. She will leave this position to join Unit 4 Schools.
Ms. Lannert earned her Bachelor of Science in Special Education from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2005), and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Concordia University (2018).
Ms. Rocio Fisher was selected as the Assistant Director of Multilingual and World Language Services. She began her career in education in August 1993 when she joined Cicero School District 99 as a Bilingual Teacher. Beginning with the 2001-2002 school term, she accepted a position as a 4th Grade Sheltered English Teacher with East Aurora School District 131, and held this position for two years. From August 2004-March 2015, Rocio was employed with West Chicago School District 33. During this time her roles included serving as a Lead Bilingual & ESL Teacher, Principal of Gary Elementary School, and Assistant Principal of Leman Middle School. After relocating to China, she joined Hailiang Foreign Language School as Principal. In June 2017 she returned to the United States and rejoined West Chicago School District 33 as Director of Second Language Programs. After two years in that position, Ms. Fisher accepted the position of Assistant Director for Second Language Learners at Palatine School District 15. In August 2020, she relocated to Central Illinois and joined McLean County Unit 5 School District in Normal, IL as a High School ESL Teacher. For the past year, Rocio has served as Assistant Principal at Cedar Ridge Elementary School in Normal, IL. She will leave this position to join Unit 4 Schools.
Ms. Fisher holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Spanish from Western Illinois University (1988), a Master of Science in Education from Columbia College (2000), and a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration from Northern Illinois University (2008).
Ms. Christelle Harding was selected as the Assistant Director of Professional Development and Library/Media Services. She began her career in education when she joined Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD as a 2nd Grade Teacher in 1996. Beginning with the 1998-1999 school year, she joined Rapid City Area Schools in Rapid City, SD as a K-2 Literacy Teacher at Valley View Elementary. Relocating to Decatur, IL in 2001, Ms. Harding joined Decatur Public Schools as a 6th Grade Teacher. During her 22 years with Decatur Public Schools, she worked as a 4th Grade Teacher, Instructional Coach, Instructional Strategist Coordinator, Literacy Coach, School Improvement Specialist, and most recently, Interim Director of Teaching and Learning. She will leave this position to join Unit 4 Schools.
Ms. Harding holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD (1996), a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ (2006) and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL (2023). She has also earned a NASA Endeavor Certificate in STEM Education from Columbia College in New York, NY (2017) and a Teacher Leader endorsement from National Louis University in Chicago, IL (2018).
Mr. Benjamin Kelly was selected as the Assistant Director of Technology. He began his career in education in August 2007 when he joined Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley School District as a Choir Director. In the 2013-2014 school year, Mr. Kelly joined Unit 4 Schools as a Music Teacher at Franklin STEAM Academy. After three years in that role, he accepted the position of Educational Technology Coach. He will leave this position to accept his new role.
Mr. Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music Education (2007) from University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, a Master of Fine Arts in Choral Music Education (2012) from Illinois State University, and a Master of Arts in Educational Technology (2015) from Concordia University in Chicago.
Ms. Lashonna Harden was selected as the Assistant Director of College & Career Readiness. She began her career in education in January 2006 when she joined Unit 4 Schools as a School Counselor at Franklin Middle School. In August 2006, she accepted a position as an Admission Counselor at Eastern Illinois University. Beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, Lashonna joined Mattoon Middle School in Mattoon, IL as a School Counselor, a position she held for three years. In August 2010, she rejoined Unit 4 Schools as a School Counselor at Franklin Middle School. After relocating to Belleville, IL in August 2012, she accepted a Guidance Counselor position at Belleville West High School. For the 2013-2014 school year Ms. Harden worked as a Guidance Counselor at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis, MO. Relocating to Chicago, IL in November 2015, she joined Longwood Academy as a School Counselor. For the past six years, Ms. Harding has worked as a School Counselor at McLean County Unit 5 School District.
Ms. Harden holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and Career and Organizational Studies (2004), and a Master of Science in Counseling, with a concentration in School Counseling (2005), both from Eastern Illinois University. She is currently enrolled at the Eastern Illinois University graduate program in Educational Administration and will complete her program this coming semester.
Ms. Holli Kostbade was selected as Assistant Principal at Southside Elementary. She began her career in education in December 2011 when she joined NISEC in Crown Point, IN as a LRE Facilitator. From August 2012-May 2014, she worked as a 5th and 6th Grade Teacher at Griffith Public Schools in Griffith, IN. For the past nine years, she has been employed at School City of Hobart in Hobart, IN as a 2nd and 3rd Grade Teacher. Ms. Kostbade will begin her first role as a school administrator when she joins Unit 4 Schools.
Ms. Kostbade holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from Indiana University, Northwest (2011), and a Master of Education in School Administration and Supervision from Indiana State University (2023).
Ms. Diana Perez was selected as the Assistant Principal of Stratton Academy. She began her career in education in September 2004 when she joined Chicago Public Schools as a Diverse Learner Teacher with Foreman High School. From September 2006-August 2012, she was a Diverse Learner Teacher at District U-46 in Elgin, IL. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, Ms. Perez rejoined Chicago Public Schools as a Diverse Learner Teacher at Foreman High School. After six years in that role, she joined Pathways In Education in Avondale, IL, as Lead Diverse Learner Teacher/Case Manager. She will leave this position to join Unit 4 Schools.
Ms. Perez earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology, from Northeastern Illinois University (1999), and a Master of Education in Special Education with a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement from National Louis University (2004). She has also earned a Master of Education in Educational Administration and Leadership from Northeastern Illinois University (2022).
Mr. Jeffery Buhnerkempe was selected as the Associate Principal at Franklin STEAM Academy. He began his teaching career with Dongola Unit 66 Schools in Dongola, IL in August 2007, where he served as a Social Studies Teacher for five years. In August 2012, Mr. Buhnerkempe joined Unit 4 Schools when he was hired as a Social Studies Teacher for Franklin Middle School. Beginning with the 2016-2017 school year, he accepted his first school administrator role as Franklin’s Dean of Students. In August 2017, Mr. Buhnerkempe became Assistant Principal of Franklin STEAM Academy. He will leave this position to become Associate Principal.
Mr. Buhnerkempe holds a Bachelor of Science in History from the University of Illinois at Springfield (2007), and a Master of Education in Educational Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (2016).
Ms. Jessica Lehmkuhl was selected as the Assistant Principal at Franklin STEAM Academy. She began her career as a long-term substitute high school English Teacher with Homewood-Flossmor High School (August-November 2008) and then Ottawa Township High School (February-May2009). In August 2009, she joined Iroquois West High School in Gilman, Illinois as an English Teacher. After two years of service with Iroquois West, Ms. Lehmkuhl sought a middle school Language Arts Teacher position with Ball-Chatham School District in Chatham, IL where she taught for three school terms. During the 2014-2015 school year, Ms. Lehmkuhl served as a 7th Grade Language Arts Teacher with Chicago Public Schools. Relocating to Champaign in 2015, Ms. Lehmkuhl joined Edison Middle School, where she taught reading, honors reading, writing, and AVID. She assumed the role of Interim Dean of Students for the 2020-2021 school year. Jessica resumed teaching for the Fall 2021 semester before returning to administration as Franklin’s Dean of Students in Spring 2022. She will leave this position to become Assistant Principal.
Ms. Lehmkuhl holds a Bachelor of Science in English from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale (2008), and has an additional 60 hours of coursework from the University of Illinois-Chicago. She has a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from Eastern Illinois University (2015).
Ms. Megan Kirby began her career in education in January 2013, when she joined Unit 4 Schools as a Cross Categorical Special Education Teacher assigned to Westview Elementary. In August 2016, Ms. Kirby became a Functional Life Skills Special Education Teacher at Edison Middle School. Beginning the 2021-2022 school year, she accepted her first role as a school administrator as Assistant Principal of Robeson Elementary. She will leave this position to become Associate Principal of Jefferson Middle School.
Ms. Kirby holds a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Illinois State University (2012), and a Master of Education in Education Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (2018). She also obtained her Director of Special Education endorsement (2019) from the University of St. Francis in Joliet, IL.
Mr. Sylvester (Sonny) Walker was selected as the Associate Athletic Director/Dean of Students at Centennial High School. A life-long resident of Champaign, former Unit 4 student, and graduate of Centennial High, Mr. Walker began his teaching career at Centennial as a Physical Education teacher in October 2006. During this time, he also served as a Boys’ Basketball Assistant Coach and Administrator for the Day, when needed. From February 2019 through the end of the 2018-2019 school year, Mr. Walker supported students and the District as a Dean at BTW STEM Academy. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, he served as Dean of Students at Edison Middle School. After serving three years in that role, Mr. Walker became a Dean at Centennial High. Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, he will be the Associate Athletic Director/Dean of Students at Centennial High.
Mr. Walker earned his Bachelor of Science in Arts and Science from South Dakota State University (May 2006). He also holds a Master of Science in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (May 2021).
Mr. Derek Ely was selected as the Assistant Principal at Central High School. He began his career in education in August 2012, when he was hired as a Teacher with the READY Program in the Champaign-Ford Regional Office of Education. Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, he joined Unit 4 Schools as Dean of Students at Central High School. He will leave this position to become an Assistant Principal.
Mr. Ely earned his Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies (2004) and a Master of Architecture (2006) from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In May 2012, Derek obtained his teaching licensure with certification in Physical Education K-12 and an endorsement in Health 5-12 from Eastern Illinois University. He also earned a Graduate Certificate in Principal Licensure (2023) from the University of Cincinnati.
Ms. Devin Lindemann was selected as the Associate Athletic Director/Dean of Students at Central High School. She began her career in education in August 2018 when she accepted the position of Physical Education Teacher at Limestone Middle School in Kankakee, IL. Beginning with the 2020-2021 school year, she joined Unit 4 Schools as a Physical Education and Health Teacher at Central High. She has held this position for the past 3 years. Ms. Lindemann currently serves as Central’s Assistant Athletic Director (which has been a differential).
Ms. Lindemann has related experience as 7th and 8th Grade Girls’ Basketball Head Coach at Dennis Laboratory School (2015-2017), 6th Grade Girls’ Basketball Head Coach at Limestone Middle School (2018), Assistant Varsity Softball Coach at Herscher High School (2019), and Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach at Parkland College (2019-2021), as well as her personal athletic participation in Basketball, Soccer, Softball, and Weightlifting.
Ms. Lindemann holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, with a Health Education endorsement, from Millikin University in Decatur, IL (2018). She is currently working on her administrative licensure at Eastern Illinois University.
(Attached photo L-R: Lannert, Lehmkuhl, Walker, L. Harding, Dearing, Buhnerkempe, Ely, Kirby, Kostbade, Lindemann, Kelly, Fisher, C. Harding; not photographed: Perez)