January 2026 Excellence in Education Awards

Nominate

Jerome Jt. School District No. 261

125 4th Avenue West Jerome, Idaho 83338

Telephone (208) 324-2392 • FAX (208) 324-7609

Mr. Brent Johnson, Superintendent of Schools

The Jerome School District and Jiffy Lube/Burton Group announce the Excellence in Education recipients for January, 2026: Summit Elementary Teacher, Josephine Henscheid; Jerome Middle School Teacher, KelliSue Montague; & Jerome High School Para, Amber Bingham.

The Excellence in Education Award recipients for January, 2026 are:

Elementary Certified Recipient: Jospehine Henscheid

Elementary certified recipient, Jospehine Henscheid was nominated by her colleague: “Josee is a very talented young teacher who does not get the recognition she deserves for everything she does. She does so much for others behind the scenes without asking for recognition. Last year and this year she has offered her services to train others in the phonics routines to help teachers and students both be successful. She has gone in and done observations, given feedback that is beneficial, and allows others to come and watch her do the routines that she does with flawless effort. She has encouraged and assisted other teachers in the SMART program the district is doing for K-3. She is also working hard to perfect her craft in mathematics by doing the lesson study program with Rhonda Birnie, as well as the new intervention study that Rhonda has offered our district. Josee is very creative and puts her heart into everything she does. She is also on many different committees to help benefit the school and the students along with our school improvement committee, she is on MTSS-A, Sunshine, and PTO. She does so much for the school on the Sunshine committee. She helps create meaningful activities for the staff to engage in camaraderie. She also volunteers her time on the PTO to ensure teachers have meals, drinks, and something to help them through the challenging weeks. Her students love her! The students in the other 3rd grade classes love going to her class for intervention times as well. She is always on board to help with anything anyone needs. She is helping the new librarian get everything organized with all the new books and updating the library. Josee is the kind of teacher that helps make a school run behind the scenes making sure people feel appreciated, accepted, and helped in any way they need help. Sometimes it's the people behind the scenes helping others that need to be reminded that we see and appreciate them with everything they contribute to the profession.”

Secondary Certified Recipient: KelliSue Montague

Secondary certified recipient, KelliSue Montague, was nominated by a parent: “I wanted to write to you and let you know what an amazing teacher you have at your school. 

On Friday the JMS band had their concert and Mrs. Montague not only greeted each student by name, but also gave each child personal uplifting support to calm their nerves. We have seen her outside at public events and she always makes sure to greet my daughter by name and she even remembers her brother who is not even at JMS yet. Mrs. Montague goes above and beyond always encouraging the kids and helping keep open communication with parents about issues she may have noticed. My daughter has social issues and problems with reading/writing yet she says Mrs. Montague is her favorite teacher; her reason behind it? "She's so patient with me and she tries different ways to explain things to me." Exact quote from my daughter. The other thing I want to mention and rave about her is my daughter is extremely awkward about English and writing due to some learning difficulties, Mrs. Montague has never once let this hold her back; instead she has my daughter help other students with the items she excels at and builds her confidence! I have watched her bloom over the year so far because Mrs. Montague makes her feel like there's nothing wrong with not being perfect and struggling because where she lacks in some places she does amazing in others. Mrs. Montague has helped her see this and I can't thank her enough. 

Mrs. Montague encourages other children too; not just mine. I have seen her in the halls at school events (and in public) making sure everyone feels welcomed and seen. She brings warmth and light everywhere she goes. I have not experienced a teacher so kind and caring in all my years with Jerome. 

My daughter does not do well with tests and beats herself up if her scores aren't where she wants them no matter how hard she tries. Mrs. Montague has lifted her up and boosted her confidence to the sky. Even when she's not testing perfectly she always reminds her that a test may be important but always pay attention to what you can do better next time. Each test this year there has been improvement. Her grade in math has even improved due to her confidence. She's learning how to believe in herself. We can tell her how amazing and wonderful she is at home all we want but according to her we're just mom and dad. Hearing it from her teachers who really do mean it means more to her than I can truly describe. 

Mrs. Montague is truly the most amazing teacher and I just wanted to express how much of a difference she has made to my daughter. I hope my son gets to learn from her next year as well. She has made the most positive impact on my daughter that I can't begin to thank her for. You are extremely lucky to have her as a teacher in your school. Thank you. Mara Sant-Blessing.”

Classified Staff Recipient: Amber Bingham

Classified staff recipient, Amber Bingham, was nominated by a teacher with these statements: “Amber has been an essential contributor to the Extended Resource classroom, demonstrating remarkable growth both professionally and personally. In a time of personal crisis, when I lost my husband and was unable to attend to classroom responsibilities, Amber's dedication shone through. She selflessly spent her summer organizing schedules and preparing the classroom, prioritizing the students' needs over her own without being asked. Her commitment extends beyond this selfless act; she has been a longstanding and invaluable member of one of the most challenging programs at Jerome High School. Her hard work and dedication truly deserves recognition. 

Amber has excelled in several key areas critical to effective teaching. Her communication skills are exceptional, allowing her to convey complex concepts with clarity and engage with students, parents, and colleagues effectively. Her patience and empathy enable her to create a supportive and inclusive classroom environment where every student feels valued and understood.

Her deep subject matter knowledge ensures that her lessons are not only accurate but also engaging, fostering a learning atmosphere that encourages curiosity and exploration. Amber is adept at lesson planning, crafting structured yet flexible plans that cater to diverse learning styles and needs.

Classroom management is another area where Amber shines, maintaining a well-organized and disciplined environment that promotes learning and respect. Her adaptability and creativity allow her to adjust her teaching methods to meet the dynamic needs of her students, ensuring that each lesson is relevant and impactful.

Amber's strong organizational abilities enable her to manage a diverse classroom effectively, facilitating a range of learning activities that keep students engaged and motivated. Her ability to balance these skills demonstrates a comprehensive approach to education, making her an invaluable asset in any educational setting.

Amber has demonstrated exceptional dedication and leadership at Jerome High School over the past two weeks. She has devoted countless hours to ensuring that students receive the resources and support they need for success. Her role as a team leader has not only driven significant improvements in student outcomes but has also inspired her peers and colleagues in the classroom. Amber's commitment and influence have set a new standard of excellence and motivation within the school community. She is a spectacle of what One Team  One Town and One Family.”

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The Excellence in Education Award program began in 2016 and continues through the 2025-2026 school year and has recognized the district’s outstanding teachers and classified staff each month, for a full list of award recipients contact the district office. The Jerome School District presents each recipient a plaque with a $50 gift card provided by Jiffy Lube/Burton Group at the monthly school board meetings.

The community is highly encouraged to nominate any staff member from the Jerome School District. To do so, please visit: https://www.jeromeschools.org/excellence-in-education.