Last week was big for the Clark County School District (CCSD). After a year without a permanent leader, the Clark County School Board voted unanimously to offer the superintendent position to state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jhone Ebert. She’s a familiar face in Nevada and in the district where she started her career and spent 25 years climbing the ranks. 

Trustees and community members noted her leadership experience and the relationships she’s cultivated across the state, which will help her hit the ground amid the ongoing legislative session and the seismic changes under the Trump administration.

The Clark County Education Association said in a Friday statement the union intends to begin negotiations with the district and Ebert and hopes to reach a new contract before the end of the next school year. 

The union almost went on strike during its previous contract negotiations with former Superintendent Jesus Jara after a dispute over proposed teacher raises. The conflict ultimately led Democratic legislative leaders to call for Jara’s resignation. He resigned last February. 

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News briefs

✏️ Clark County schools offering free tutoring — A 25-year-old CCSD center is offering free tutoring for elementary, middle and high school students in all core subjects as well as prep for standardized tests for college admission. The district’s Academic Support and Community Service Center, located at 1255 Robin Street in Las Vegas was born from CCSD educator and former school board Trustee Shirley Barber, who wanted to provide tutoring services for families who can’t afford it on their own. 

Last year, the center served more than 500 students from 56 district schools. The center also partners with Three Square to provide meals to the students. 

The tutoring is provided by licensed CCSD educators, and the center is open 2:30-5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

School Spotlight

Milken award-winning teacher instills confidence in her fourth grade students

Education runs in Allie Galas’ family. 

Her parents both taught in the Douglas County School District for 30 years. Her dad was also a basketball coach at his high school. Galas recalled seeing the relationships that her parents were able to build with their students. 

“It was just really inspiring, and I wanted to have the same impact one day,” she said. 

Her own fourth grade teacher also had a huge influence on Galas’ decision to follow in her parents’ footsteps. Growing up, she was a shy kid, and it was her teacher, Jeanne Barnes, who helped her be more confident. 

“My fourth grade teacher just made learning so much fun,” Galas said. “She made it look easy.  Now I know how hard it is.” 

Today, Galas, 35, is in her 12th year working as a teacher in the Washoe County School District and her second as a fourth grade teacher at Jessie Beck Elementary School in southwest Reno. 

Last month, Galas was named this year’s Nevada winner of the Milken Educator Award, often described as the “Oscars of Teaching,” which recognizes outstanding teachers nationwide as an initiative from the Milken Family Foundation. Galas is the 94th recipient in Nevada since the state joined the Milken network in 1988. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted cash prize. 

The foundation recognized Galas for her emphasis on student engagement and empowering them to have agency in their learning and classroom culture. She uses strategies such as student-led learning where students take charge of classroom discussions and lessons, as well as the use of restorative circles, which can address behavioral problems.

During circle time, students talk about how negative behavior makes them and others feel and steps they can take to solve those problems. Galas has also used this strategy to get students’ feedback on working in small groups during math lessons, what they like about the groups and what can be fixed to make groups more successful. 

“So we ended up implementing some of the interventions they brought up and it was awesome,” she said. 

The financial award comes just before the arrival of Galas’ first child and will give her and her husband a financial buffer. 

“I don't do this job for the recognition,” she said. “I do it because I love teaching kids. I want them to be successful.”

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

Jhone Ebert named new Clark County School District superintendent

Ebert, who has served as the state superintendent of public instruction since 2019, beat out two other finalists  — Nevada State High School CEO Jesse Welsh and Michigan school district Superintendent Ben Shuldiner. 

Extra Credit

Salt Lake Tribune: A Utah teacher has raised over $11,000 for her students by dancing on TikTok. Here’s why.

Newsweek: Map Shows States With Most Schools Impacted by Proposed Meal Funding Cut

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Love seeing this kind of engaging learning out of a Fallon charter school.