Champaign Central High School hires first African American principal in school history
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign School Board has approved a new high school principal who is making history.
Montia Gardner was officially appointed at Monday's night meeting. The vote for Gardner's appointment was unanimous. District officials told WCIA they believe she is the first African-American principal at the school.
Champaign Co. businesses collaborate to bring something new to the plate
Gardner started teaching at Huth Middle School in the Chicago area in 2003, where she taught Theatre/Communication Arts, English, and Social Studies. She also taught English and Social Studies at two high schools in Gary, Indiana.
She then taught in Baltimore, MD in 2016 as an adjunct professor in Education at University of Maryland-Baltimore County and also taught at Community Colleges of Baltimore County starting in 2020.
Three years ago, Gardner started as an Assistant Principal at Central High School, before later becoming the Summer School Principal and the Associate Principal at the school.
Gardner attained her Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education from DePaul University in 2003, and her Masters in School Leadership from Concordia University in 2009. Dr. Gardner also earned a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
Gardner will start on July 1.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Collaborative Literacy meets criteria for Michigan's Tier 1 Early Literacy evaluation and is eligible for Section 35m funding
LANSING, Mich., June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Michigan Department of Education's Committee for Literacy Achievement (CLA) critically evaluated and ranked Tier 1 early literacy curriculum materials. Collaborative Literacy curriculum, the only core program offered by a nonprofit organization, is comprised of the Being a Reader and Being a Writer programs. Collaborative Literacy successfully met the criteria set forth by the CLA and therefore qualifies for Section 35m funding. This funding is part of the Michigan FY 2025 State School Aid and supports the Department's goal of increasing student academic outcomes in the area of literacy. "We're thrilled that Michigan has recognized Collaborative Literacy as a high-quality, evidence-based solution for Tier 1 literacy instruction," said Kelly Stuart, Collaborative Classroom President and CEO. "It's an honor to support Michigan educators with proven, comprehensive, and instructionally aligned solutions grounded in the research base." Jeremy Hyler, Michigan Senior Manager of Educational Partnerships at Collaborative Classroom, said, "This recognition by the state underscores the effectiveness and rigor of Collaborative Literacy in fostering literacy development for all students. This program is built on the science of reading and is already transforming literacy outcomes for students across Michigan." Learn how Michigan students are succeeding with Collaborative Literacy: Collaborative Literacy Builds Proficient Readers and Writers Critically evaluated and ranked by the Michigan Department of Education's Committee for Literacy Achievement for Tier 1 Early Literacy, Collaborative Literacy is a comprehensive K–5 curriculum that builds strong and knowledgeable readers and writers, creates vibrant and caring classroom communities, and empowers teachers to deepen their knowledge and expertise. Being a Reader™ and Being a Writer™, the two dynamic programs that comprise Collaborative Literacy, weave together the latest research in literacy and learning, integrated social skills development, and embedded professional learning. A complete solution for core reading and writing instruction, Collaborative Literacy provides: Comprehensive, research-based reading instruction that systematically develops both foundational skills and comprehension. Whole-class, student-centered writing instruction that focuses on process and conventions across genres. High-quality, high-interest fiction and nonfiction texts selected to support the instructional focus of each lesson and engage all students. Knowledge building through the integration of reading and writing experiences. Students actively foster their curiosity, build their knowledge, and become experts on topics that truly matter to them. English learner pre-teaching, extension, and point-of-need supports that help teachers provide scaffolding and prepare English learners to participate confidently in lessons. Integrated social-skills development that creates a supportive classroom community and nurtures students' sense of responsibility for their own learning and behavior. Embedded, continuous professional learning that empowers teachers to expand their content knowledge and deepen their pedagogical expertise. Formative and summative assessments that support instructional decision-making for the class, groups of students with similar points of need, and individual students. About Collaborative Classroom Collaborative Classroom is a mission-driven, nonprofit organization committed to ensuring that all students become readers, writers, and thinkers who learn from, care for, and respect one another. Through evidence-based programs and embedded professional learning, the organization transforms teaching and learning and builds thriving school communities. Since the organization's founding, our work has reached more than 10 million students and 440,000 educators across the country. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Collaborative Classroom
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
'Python Huntress' takes on invasive snakes in the Everglades
By Maria Alejandra Cardona OCHOPEE, Florida (Reuters) -Amy Siewe was a successful real estate agent -- but her life changed after she captured her first python in Florida's Everglades. "I just had this fascination with snakes. So when I learned that there was a python problem here in Florida ... I went on a hunt, I caught a nine-foot (2.75-meter) python, and that was it. I was hooked!" she said. Within two months she had sold her business in Indiana and moved to Florida to become a python hunter. Now, with more than 600 dead pythons under her belt, she is known as the "Python Huntress" -- one of a handful of women amongst hundreds of men hunting the invasive Burmese python in Florida's Everglades wetland ecosystem. "This python is about 10 feet (3 meters) long," she says as she wrestles a snake she has just captured in the tall grass in the middle of the night. "It's probably about three years old, and to date it's eaten about 200 of our native animals, including mammals and birds." Burmese pythons have been spreading through the Everglades National Park since Hurricane Andrew in 1992 destroyed a breeding facility for the pet trade, freeing some 900 snakes. Originally native to Southeast Asia, the python can grow up to 18 feet (5.5 meters) long and has a voracious appetite, consuming the local wildlife, including mammals, birds and even alligators. The Everglades is a unique subtropical ecosystem, with the largest continuous mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere. It is home to a vast array of unique species, including the endangered Florida panther, the American alligator and the American crocodile. But it provides no natural predators to the Burmese python, allowing the population of the invasive species to balloon. Scientists have noted dramatic declines in raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and rabbits in the region. "There's an estimated 500,000 pythons out there," Siewe said. The pythons, which are hunted by night, cannot legally be transported alive, so they are killed on site after being captured and measured. Once home, Siewe skins the dead snakes, and then has the skins professionally tanned into leather to be made into purses, wallets, watch bands and other goods. It takes an average of 12 hours to catch one. "So it's not that effective, right," she admits. "We're always going to have pythons in Florida. What we're trying to do is figure out how to decrease their numbers. Hunting right now is the most effective tool that we have."


Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Newsweek
Photos Reveal US Air Force Spying Capabilities
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Recently released photos show a fleet of specialized United States military aircraft staged on a flight line, highlighting their capabilities for a wide range of intelligence-gathering missions. The 55th Wing of the U.S. Air Force, an intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance unit headquartered at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, told Newsweek in a statement that its aircraft and personnel conduct missions that defend the U.S. and safeguard global security. Why It Matters The U.S. Air Force often deploys its reconnaissance aircraft overseas to gather intelligence on America's adversaries. Forward deployment locations include Kadena Air Base in Japan, Royal Air Force Mildenhall in the United Kingdom, and Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. American spy flights off the coasts of Russia and China have been intercepted by Russian and Chinese fighter jets. Moscow has stated it will not allow its borders to be violated, while Beijing has accused Washington of conducting "close-in reconnaissance" near its territory. Several U.S. Air Force RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft park on the flight line at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on June 1, 2025. Several U.S. Air Force RC-135V/W Rivet Joint aircraft park on the flight line at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on June 1, 2025. Chad Watkins/U.S Air Force What To Know A set of seven photos released by the 55th Wing over the weekend shows several U.S. Air Force aircraft parked on the flightline at Offutt Air Force Base at night on June 1. These aircraft included the RC-135U Combat Sent, the RC-135V/W Rivet Joint, and the WC-135 Constant Phoenix. They are developed from the C-135 Stratolifter transport aircraft. The Combat Sent can locate and identify foreign military radar signals, while the Rivet Joint detects, identifies, and geolocates electromagnetic signals. The Constant Phoenix conducts air-sampling missions, collecting particulates in the air for detecting nuclear explosions. A U.S. Air Force RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft, right, parks on the flight line at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on June 1, 2025. A U.S. Air Force RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft, right, parks on the flight line at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on June 1, 2025. Chad Watkins/U.S. Air Force In the statement, the 55th Wing stated that the unit has global reach and enduring strategic impact by maintaining forward-deployed units around the globe, ensuring what it described as "rapid and persistent global ISR [intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance] coverage." In addition to the aforementioned specialized aircraft, the Nebraska-based unit operates the so-called "rapidly deployable" RC-135S Cobra Ball, which is designed for collecting data on ballistic missiles, a vital information that cannot be obtained by "any other source." What People Are Saying The 55th Wing of the U.S. Air Force, in a statement to Newsweek: "While we do not disclose operational status or comment on specific interactions with foreign military aircraft for operational security, the 55th Wing remains steadfast in executing its mission with precision, professionalism, and strict adherence to international standards." Offutt Air Force Base, on its website: "[The 55th Wing's] mission is to provide dominant information warfare forces through electromagnetic spectrum operations, information operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and nuclear command, control and communications to the Joint Forces and national leadership, any time, any place." Two U.S. Air Force WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft, left and center, and an RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft park on the flight line at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on June 1, 2025. Two U.S. Air Force WC-135 Constant Phoenix aircraft, left and center, and an RC-135U Combat Sent aircraft park on the flight line at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska on June 1, 2025. Chad Watkins/U.S. Air Force What Happens Next It remains to be seen how the U.S. military maintains its worldwide airborne spying missions amid tensions on the Korean Peninsula, across the Taiwan Strait, and in the Middle East.