The Urbana Board of Education approved the appointment of the next leader of Urbana High School, along with two Assistant Principals.
Mr. Jesse Guzman was approved as the Urbana High School principal effective July 1, 2023. He currently serves as the principal of Jefferson Middle School in Champaign. Mr. Guzman’s previous experience includes roles as both an associate and an assistant principal, a middle level summer school principal and a social studies teacher at the middle school level.
Mr. Guzman holds his Superintendent Endorsement and a Master of Science in Educational Administration from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from St. Louis University.
The Board of Education also approved the appointment of Mrs. Jessica Hines and Ms. Melissa Kearns, both will serve as Assistant Principals at Urbana High School effective July 1, 2023.
Mrs. Hines currently serves as the Associate Principal at Jefferson Middle School. Her previous roles include Assistant Principal, Dean of Students, AVID coordinator and an ELA and Social Studies teacher.
Mrs. Hines is a Golden Apple Scholar and currently works with the Golden Apple Foundation, growing and mentoring future educators. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Illinois at Champaign and a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Illinois State University.
Ms. Kearns, an Urbana High School graduate, is currently an Assistant Principal at Jefferson Middle School where she has been involved in school improvement and equity initiatives. Her previous experience includes Instructional Coach, Magnet Site Coordinator, elementary teacher and middle school science teacher.
Ms. Kearns holds two Master’s Degrees, one in Curriculum and Instruction and another in Educational Leadership, both from American College of Education. She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree and an Associate’s Degree in Elementary Education.
We are excited to work with these three proven leaders in our mission to educate, nurture and engage all students.