‘Education was in my blood’: NV Teacher of the Year on her journey to education
Good morning, and welcome to the Indy Education newsletter. I’m Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent’s K-12 education reporter.
This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students, programs and other events and resources throughout the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it each Tuesday via email.
I want to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions on what I should be covering to [email protected].
News Briefs
📚Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library bringing free books to Northern Nevada children — The Northern Nevada Reading Coalition has partnered with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to expand the program in Northern Nevada. Families who sign up for the program will receive a free, age-appropriate book in the mail each month for children from birth until their fifth birthday. The program is free to families in 12 Northern Nevada counties regardless of income. This program is made possible by the Nevada State Legislature, the Northern Nevada Reading Coalition, and United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra. More information about the program and how to enroll can be found here.
📝 New Nye County schools leader — On Thursday, the Nye County School Board recommended hiring Joe Gent, the district’s director of alternative education, as its next superintendent. The appointment comes four months after the school board decided not to renew former Superintendent William Shillingburg’s contract. Shillingburg had served as the district’s leader since 2020. The board is set to discuss and possibly approve Gent’s contract at its Sept. 27 meeting. Gent is expected to start his new role in early October.
👩🏫Applications open for educator recruitment and retention task force — The state is taking applications from educators interested in serving on the Nevada Teacher and Educational Support Professional Recruitment and Retention Advisory Task Force. The group consists of 20 members who are charged with evaluating and addressing the challenges of attracting and retaining teachers and support personnel throughout Nevada and making recommendations to the Legislative Committee on Education. The task force will meet a minimum of four times per year. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 15, 2024.
School Spotlight
Mother’s ‘magical’ teaching inspires new Nevada Teacher of the Year
Education runs in Laura Jeanne Penrod’s blood.
Penrod’s mother, Miriam Smyth, was a longtime Spanish teacher in the Clark County School District. One of Penrod’s aunts taught at Basic High School in Henderson. She also had a grandmother, an aunt and an uncle who were educators.
“I think education was in my blood and I tried to say no because so many people were like, ‘You're not going to make any money, you're going to work a lot … so why would you want to do that job?’” said Penrod, who attended CCSD’s schools through eighth grade.
Last week, Penrod — now an English teacher at Southwest Career and Technical Academy — was named the 2024 Nevada State Teacher of the Year.
Penrod said she initially tried to resist the call to teach. In 2005, she got her bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations. She thought her dream job would be doing marketing for a makeup company.
But Penrod was eventually inspired to go into education, in large part because of the memories of growing up in her mother’s classroom.
“Seeing her teach was magical, and I want to be magical like her,” she said. “I want to walk out of my job every day knowing that this is how I'm changing the world in positive ways, and I want to help kids.”
Penrod enrolled in UNLV’s Alternative Route to Licensure (ARL) program that provides a pathway into teaching for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree outside of education. In 2006, she got her first job in education as a teacher at Eldorado High School in East Las Vegas.
Today, after 17 years in education, Penrod is known by her peers for having students with some of the highest English ACT scores districtwide, cultivating student advocacy and prioritizing social-emotional learning.
Her advice to new teachers is to hit the mute button on negativity toward the education profession, take care of themselves and remind themselves of what drives them to want to help students.
“It's not always about the test scores and how well your school is doing XYZ but how well are those kids in your room, and how well are you,” Penrod said. “Sometimes just showing up in the room for kids is like the most important thing that can happen that day.”
Editor’s Note: Laura Jeanne Penrod is a contributing opinion columnist to The Nevada Independent.
Have a student or staffer who we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at [email protected].
Reading Assignments
Joey Gilbert and team’s novel legal advice to Douglas County School Board draws scrutiny
Observers questioned legal interpretations underpinning the Gilbert-assisted effort to change bylaws and the wisdom of hiring a firm without education expertise.
Hundreds may have missed chance for Opportunity Scholarship through governor’s workaround
Though advocates warned that more than 600 students could lose their school choice scholarships, less than half took advantage of an emergency extension.
Lombardo, state officials unveil program to track school district performance
The state already collects performance data, but the program sets new goals. The initiative will look at districtwide data, not specific schools.
Washoe County teachers could see 20 percent raise under tentative agreement
The Washoe County School District and the Washoe Education Association announced Wednesday they’ve reached an “unprecedented” two-year tentative collective bargaining agreement that could result in a 20 percent pay raise for teachers.
Judge rules against teacher union in effort to block illegal strike lawsuit
The union sought to use a novel, free-speech-based argument to counter district claims that rolling sickouts constitute a strike.
Extra Credit
Could four-day weeks lead to more progress for students?
Former Nevada Independent editor and Christian Science Monitor education reporter Jackie Valley takes a deep dive on four-day school week policies like the one at the Elko County School District.
Hundreds of students rally in support of teachers amid contract battle with CCSD
KTNV reports on a recent rally at Clark High School by students in support of teachers amid the union’s contract dispute with the Clark County School District.
Events
👩🏫 Educators Mental Health & Wellness Town Hall – Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m.
The town hall will be held Tuesday at Pearson Community Center, 1625 W. Carey Ave. in North Las Vegas.
🍎 Washoe County School Board meeting – Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m.
The agenda includes discussions around the district’s strategic plan and a resolution in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
💰 Commission on School Funding meeting – Thursday, Sept. 28, at 9 a.m.
The agenda includes an update and discussion on the state’s 10-year plan on needed revenues to reach optimal K-12 education funding.
🍎 Clark County School Board meeting – Thursday, Sept. 28, at 5 p.m.
The agenda includes a presentation on how a proposed statewide regulation on school start times may be implemented in the school district.
Last week, Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom recognized Clark County School Board Trustee Brenda Zamora in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.
