Two Oneida School District staff members were recognized as “Employees of the Month” at the November 21 meeting of the School Board. (No “Employee of the Month” was named in October.)  Both honorees received plaques that will be displayed in the District Office throughout the month, gift cards to restaurants, and copies of the “Starfish” poem.

Jennie McClain, MHS Math Teacher

Mr. Michael Corbett, Principal of Malad High School. read the following letter in support of Jennie McClain as “Employee of the Month”:

“[Jennie McClain] is an incredible asset to our school and the students who trust her. She consistently goes above and beyond what is asked of her to bring to Malad High School the best possible strategies, curriculum, and training . . . . Over the last few years, she has been deeply involved in curriculum adoption for the state. She has been key to the alignment of curriculum in our building and the piloting of the new math badging curriculum, which is designed to help students gain credit for the concepts they can prove proficiency in.

“One of the things that she does very quietly and very well is making extra time for students who need extra help. As a principal, I have never doubted that if I send a student to her to ask for help, she will give them the resources and help they need to be successful.  She tutors many and has helped many in their ability to understand and gain confidence in their math abilities.

“One of her greatest attributes is the ability to advocate for her students and the math program in our school. . . . No matter the problem or concern she brings forward, she also brings possible solutions.  Out school continually benefits from her efforts and abilities.”

Terri Storms, IHLA Gifted-and-Talented Student Coordinator

Dr. Terri Sorensen, Administrator for the Idaho Home Learning Academy, read the following letter, written by Kendra Lanier, Assistant K-8 IHLA Principal, in support of Terri Storms as “Employee of the Month”:

“Terri [Storms] has worked for Oneida School District and IHLA for four years. . . . For the current . . . school year, Terri has been forging a path as IHLA’s new Gifted and Talented Coordinator K-12. This position is brand new and has presented many challenges and rewarding opportunities for growth. . . . Within this position, Terri has contributed to Oneida [School District’s] 3-year GT plan, established processes for identifying potentially gifted students and filtering referrals, created a vast array of curricula for meeting the needs of identified and referred GT students in multiple content areas, disaggregated data, designed and implemented a process for tracking, recording, and processing student information related to the GT program, directed another teacher working with her, taught live virtual classes, and communicated with . . . stakeholders for the benefit of IHLA’s gifted and advanced students. Terri has dedicated her personal time to ensure new [curricula are] created and implemented in a timely manner.

“Oneida School District and the Idaho Home Learning Academy are fortunate to have Terri Storms as a dedicated and engaged gifted and talented teacher.”

Because she lives in Nampa, Terri received her honor virtually over Zoom.