For the 12th consecutive year, Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation was named among the 2025’s Best Communities for Music Education (​BCME) in the country by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation! P-H-M has received this recognition more than any other school district in Indiana!

This year NAMM has named 935 school districts as the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education, and P-H-M is one of them! The award program recognizes and celebrates outstanding efforts by teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders who have made music education part of a well-rounded education. Designations are made to districts that demonstrate an exceptionally high commitment to and access to music education. 

In P-H-M elementary schools, music class is part of the regular curriculum following state standards. Students are instructed in both vocal and instrument classes. Beginning in 6th grade, P-H-M students at our three middle schools (Discovery, Schmucker and Grissom) have the opportunity to choose choir, orchestra or band as their music elective. Students at Discovery also have the option of choosing Piano Lab. Schools from elementary all the way up to Penn High School also perform musicals.

Penn High School offers the Fine Arts & Communication Academy as part of its unique academy structure. The seven academy design provides Penn students with relevant and meaningful coursework taught in smaller, supportive environments where each student is known well by his teacher and peers. Nearly a third of Penn’s total 3,500 students are enrolled in the Fine Arts Academy with the majority being involved with music programs, either Choir, Orchestra, Band or another music program.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, P-H-M answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program, and community music-making programs. Responses were verified with school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas. Research into music education continues to demonstrate educational/cognitive and social skill benefits for children who make music.

In a series of landmark studies by scientists and researchers at Northwestern University a link was found between students in community music programs and life-long academic success, including higher high school graduation rates and college attendance. In another study from the University, it was discovered that the benefits of early exposure to music education improves how the brain processes and assimilates sounds, a trait that lasts well into adulthood. Beyond the Northwestern research, other studies have indicated that music education lays the foundation for individual excellence in group settings, creative problem solving and flexibility in work situations, as well learning how to give and receive constructive criticism to excel.

This year’s Superintendent’s Breakfast was bittersweet with it being Dr. Jerry Thacker’s last State of the Corporation address; after 19 years as Penn-Harris-Madison’s leader, Dr. Thacker is retiring end of this school year in July 2025.

Along with Dr. Thacker highlighting the district’s accomplishments over the past year, the P-H-M Education Foundation event also featured PHMEF grant recipients; Teachers of the Year: Rose Montgomery, Elementary TOY (1st gr., Prairie Vista) and L.A. High, Secondary TOY (8th gr. Math, Schmucker); and Employee of the Year Whitney Hall (Educational Assistant, Penn). The event was held Wednesday, May 14 at Morris Park Country Club.

Click here to see the full photo gallery.

WSBT-TV anchor and P-H-M parent Bob Montgomery emceed and had the pleasure of public congratulating his wife, Rose, on winning P-H-M Elementary Teacher of the Year.

Special guests at the Breakfast included Indiana Department of Education Secretary of Education Dr. Katie Jenner and Indiana State Senator Linda Rogers.

Other speakers included PHMEF President Jill Lebbin of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Northern IN Real Estate and PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom McClain.

The Superintendent’s Breakfast is a fundraiser for the Education Foundation. Proceeds help support academic excellence in all 15 P-H-M schools through the awarding of innovative teaching grants, staff development, and other corporation-wide initiatives.

Thank you to the PHMEF Board of Directors and the Event Committee members for all their help and planning of the event. We also thank ALL of our sponsors, including:

• Everwise Credit Union, Presenting Sponsor
• Supporting Sponsors:
  • Fanning Howey
  • Magnus Engineering
• Contributing Sponsors:
  • May Oberfell Lober 
  • Midland Engineering
  • Ivy Tech
• PHMEF Patrons:
  • 1^st Source Bank
  • Generations Wealth Advisory
  • Lake City Bank
  • L.L. Low Associates, Inc.
  • Performance Services
  • Saint Joseph Health Systems
  • Schmidt & Associates
  • Sheriff Redman
  • South Bend Medical Foundation
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Ziker Cleaners

A special thank you also to the following people who helped make this event special:

• Zac Coudret, and Penn High School Orchestra students for the music
• Becky Brown and Penn High School Ceramics Students for the centerpiece art
• Pastor Michael Cramer for the Innovation
• PHMEF Office Manager Amy Chrise and the PHMEF Planning Committee
• Proshow for the audio visuals
• All PHMEF donors whose contributions make excellence in education possible!

Indiana Association of School Principals recently announced that Moran Elementary School principal, Lisa Russell, has been named District 2 Elementary Principal of the Year; along with Penn High School’s assistant principal, Josiah Parker, being named District 2 Assistant Principal of the Year!

District 2 includes the following counties: St. Joseph, Elkhart, Kosciusko, Fulton, Pulaski, Marshall, Starke, and LaPorte.

The winners of State Elementary Principal of the Year and Assistant Principal of the Year will be announced in November.

Mrs. Russell has been principal of Moran since 2020. Mr. Parker has been an assistant principal at Penn since 2018.

Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation is proud to announce that Rose Montgomery, a first grade teacher at Prairie Vista Elementary, has been named the district’s 2025 Elementary Teacher of the Year. The announcement was made during a surprise classroom visit from Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker on Wednesday, May 7, as part of the district’s celebration of National Teacher Appreciation Week. Click to watch the video below.

Making the surprise even more special, Rose’s husband—WSBT-TV anchor and reporter Bob Montgomery—was there with a videographer to capture the moment. After the excitement settled, he had the unique opportunity to interview his wife about the honor.

Also joining the celebration were the couple’s daughters, Caroline and Katherine. Caroline is a sophomore at Penn High School, and Katherine, a 2024 Penn graduate currently attending Bethel University as a nursing major. Katherine is volunteering in her mother’s classroom through the end of the school year—a full-circle moment reflecting Rose as both a loving mother, wife, and teacher. Click to see the full photo gallery below.

With more than 30 years of service to P-H-M, Mrs. Montgomery has built a career rooted in relationships, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of every child who walks through her door. “My heartfelt belief is that these children are part of my family from the day they show up in my classroom,” Mrs. Montgomery shared. “This doesn’t end when the school year ends.”

That belief drives everything she does. Even before the school year begins, Mrs. Montgomery connects with families—especially those whose children may face challenges—so that students arrive on day one feeling welcomed and supported. “The first day shouldn’t be full of anxiety,” she said, “but filled with comfort, knowing their teacher already cares about them.”

Her connections with families are intentional and ongoing. Mrs. Montgomery regularly calls parents to share moments of progress and celebration. “I want the parent to hear the passion in my voice,” she said. “Even the most reluctant student becomes a trusted member of my extended family by the end of the year.”

Colleagues say her commitment is unmatched. “Rose is the kind of teacher who will stay up late thinking of new ways to support her students,” said colleague Hayley McTigue who was one three teachers who nominated her. “Her creativity, perseverance, and heart set her apart.”

Mrs. Montgomery embraces all aspects of a child’s growth. “As teachers, our job is so much more than teaching content,” she says. “We play basketball at recess, wipe tears, attend birthday parties, bandage knees, and offer encouragement.”

She tutors after school, attends students’ events, and continues relationships long after students leave her classroom. She’s a strong advocate for students with special needs, often working closely with parents to create individualized plans for success. “She works with parents to develop the best plan for their child—academically, behaviorally, and emotionally,” said fellow teacher Retha Stork.

For Mrs. Montgomery, teaching is about leaving a mark that goes far beyond academics. “In 40 years,” she said, “students won’t remember the reading or math lesson you worked so hard to perfect, but they will remember how you made them feel.”

During the week of May 5th, Dr. Thacker also named the district’s Secondary Teacher of the year and Certified Employee of the Year. On Monday, Schmucker 8th grade math teacher L.A. High was surprised in his classroom with the Secondary Teacher of the Year honor (click here for details). On Tuesday, Penn High School Educational Assistant Whitney Hall learned that she was Employee of the Year (click here for details).All three winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 21st. Thanks to the P-H-M Education Foundation, the Employee of the Year will receive a plaque and gift certificate and the two Teachers of the Year will also receive a plaque along with grants to use in their classrooms. Both TOY winners will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2025 by the IDOE. Click here for more information on Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process.

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Penn High School Educational Assistant Whitney Hall received a well-deserved honor this morning when Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker announced that she has been named the 2025 Classified Employee of the Year for Penn-Harris-Madison.

Dr. Thacker, PHM and Penn Administrators, a few of Whitney’s co-workers, and of course students were all in the classroom waiting to surprise Whitney when she returned after a “meeting.” She was genuinely surprised and caught off guard. Click to watch the video below, and then click here to see the full photo gallery.

Since joining the Exceptional Education Academy at Penn in September 2020, Whitney has made a significant difference in her students’ lives. One example of her dedication is her one-on-one work and patient support with a mostly non-verbal student which led to the discovery that the student could solve algebraic equations.

Her co-workers admire Whitney’s willingness to “jump right in” and help no matter the situation. Another example of her commitment to her students is when during an adaptive PE session, Whitney didn’t hesitate to dive into the pool to swim alongside her students.

Whitney also serves as the coach of Penn’s Unified Cornhole Team, a program that brings together general education and exceptional education students in inclusive, team-based competition. Under Whitney’s guidance over the past two years, the program has grown in both participation and impact—celebrating the values of equity, inclusion, and student engagement. These are just a few examples of the impact she makes daily. Every student matters to Whitney Hall.

Whether assisting students with IEPs, assisting with classroom instruction, or mentoring fellow Educational Assistants, Whitney consistently goes above and beyond to ensure students receive the individualized support they need to be successful. She is a true team player.

In addition to her work in the classroom, Whitney plays a key leadership role in building positive culture within the Ex Ed Academy and the greater Penn community. She is a founding member of Penn’s SITA Crew, a group of Educational Assistants who organize morale-boosting activities, staff events, and opportunities to build connection and community within the Exceptional Education team.

Whitney embodies what it means to serve with heart. Her work has made a meaningful difference in the lives of students and staff alike.

During the week of May 5^th, Dr. Thacker will also name P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year in a surprise announcement. On Monday, 8th grade Schmucker math teacher L.A. High was named Secondary Teacher of the year (click here for details). All three winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 21st. Thanks to the P-H-M Education Foundation, the Employee of the Year will receive a plaque and gift certificate and the two Teachers of the Year will also receive a plaque along with grants to use in their classrooms. Both TOY winners will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2025 by the IDOE. Click here for more information on Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process.

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To mark the start of National Teacher Appreciation Week, Penn-Harris-Madison Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker is celebrating the district’s most outstanding educators—surprising them with the news that they have been selected as P-H-M’s 2025 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year.

Click to watch the video below of Dr. Thacker surprising Schmucker Middle School 8th grade Math teacher L.A. (Kriss) High announcing he’s been named P-H-M 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year.

Dr. Thacker had some help pulling this surprise off. Schmucker Middle School Principal Sarah Smith and others were in on the ruse. As you saw in the video above, they were successful in catching Mr. High off guard. The students enjoyed being in on the fun as well, applauding and cheering.

This isn’t the first time Dr. Thacker has recognized Mr. High for commitment to academic excellence. In Fall 2024, Mr. High received a P-H-M Teacher Impact Award for achieving the highest student growth in 8th-grade math, as measured by ILEARN assessments.

Mr. High is in his 14th year of teaching math to P-H-M middle schoolers (16 years total teaching experience), beginning at Grissom Middle School and now serving at Schmucker. His influence spans generations of students—including current Schmucker counselor/former Grissom student Allie Marks, who nominated him for the award. 

“Math was never my strength,” she reflected. “But Mr. High created a classroom environment where I felt safe to make mistakes and keep trying. Now, as his colleague, I see him doing the same for today’s students—advocating for effective re-teaching strategies, supportive grading practices, and meaningful interventions.”

Beyond his classroom excellence, Mr. High is known for his compassion and commitment to service. For several years, he has supported fundraising efforts for Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis—first as a participant and now as the lead organizer of annual initiatives at both Grissom and Schmucker. His creative events over the years, from trivia nights and “pie-a-teacher” contests to the 150-mile bike ride to Indianapolis, have collectively raised nearly $60,000 at both schools!

For Mr. High, teaching is about more than data or test scores. “Success in education is not limited to grades or metrics—it’s measured by the lasting, unquantifiable impact we have on those around us,” he said.

His former student at Grissom and current colleague, Miss Marks, agrees wholeheartedly. “Mr. High is the kind of teacher who reaches the students who believe they can’t learn. I’m grateful to have been in his class—and now, I’m honored to work alongside him.”

During the week of May 5^th, Dr. Thacker will also name P-H-M’s Elementary Teacher of the Year.

and Classified Employee of the Year in surprise announcements. All winners will be officially recognized at P-H-M’s Employee Recognition & Retiree Dinner on Wednesday, May 21st. Along with a plaque, the two Teachers of the Year will also receive a grant from the P-H-M Education Foundation to use in their classroom. Both TOY winners will go on to compete for Indiana’s Teacher of the Year, which will be announced in early Fall 2025 by the IDOE. Click here for more information on Indiana Teacher of the Year selection process.

Right before Penn’s Spring Band Concert on Thursday, May 1, 2025 was a perfect time to unveil the sign for the newly renamed EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems) – Tania Bengtsson Center for Performing Arts (Bengtsson CPA for short).

P-H-M parent and Penn Band parent Tania Bengtsson donated $50,000 to P-H-M Education Foundation’s Naming Rights Campaign to have Penn’s CPA renamed after her business EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating Systems). The naming rights for the Bengtsson CPA are in effect for 12 years. Per the Naming Rights Campaign, 80% of Mrs. Bengtsson’s donation will go to PHMEF’s endowment, and 20% comes back to P-H-M to pay for teacher professional development.

The new sign and monitor appear right above the entrance to the CPA. On hand for the sign unveiling were Tania Bengtsson and her family, PHMEF Executive Director Jennifer Turnblom McClain, PHMEF President Jill Lebbin, PHMEF President-Elect Ginée Ames, PHM Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker and his wife Donna, PHM Asst. Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, PHM Director of Professional Development Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, Penn High School Principal Sean Galiher, and Penn Band Director Glenn Northern.

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The Penn-Harris-Madison Board of School Trustees will hold a Special School Board Meeting on
Thursday, May 15, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at the Educational Services Center, 55900 Bittersweet Road,
Mishawaka, Indiana related to the following items:

• The Penn Harris Madison School Board will meet to discuss and hear objections to and support
  for a proposed new contract for a new Superintendent.

The Penn Harris Madison School Board hereby provides public notice in compliance with Indiana
Code § 20-26-5-4.3, Indiana Code § 5-3-1, and Penn Harris Madison Policy 1220.

The proposed new contract details are summarized as follows, and the entire contract can be found at
the following link: phmexcellence.com/SuptContract.

Monetary Value: $205,000 annually for the period of July 1, 2025 and ending June 30, 2028, which
the amount will be reviewed annually and adjustments made thereto by mutual agreement of the
parties.

Benefits and additional compensation: The Corporation will pay the sum of $30,000 into a 401(a)
and/or 403(b) annually. In addition, the Corporation shall provide the Superintendent with a leased
vehicle, insurance, gasoline, car maintenance and repair. The Corporation shall provide the Superintendent access to a computer workstation and mobile phone. The Corporation shall provide
the Superintendent reimbursement for all expenses incurred for the benefit or in service of the
Corporation, including but not limited to dues for membership in professional and civic associations
as the Corporation and Superintendent agree. The Corporation shall provide short-term disability not
to exceed 90 days. The Superintendent shall be entitled to all additional benefits approved by the
Board for administrative personnel as contained in the Leadership Team Personnel Handbook
including holiday time, disability, medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance and sick days.
The Superintendent is entitled to twenty-five working days of paid vacation during each year with a
maximum of five to be carried forward to the following year.

The annual one mile run for P-H-M fourth and fifth graders is held at Penn’s Cross-country course, which is located behind Elm Road Elementary School. The race is sponsored by P-H-M’s Education Foundation,

This event encourages fitness, healthy choices and wellness. Fourth and fifth graders, from all 11 P-H-M elementary schools are encouraged to sign up for the free running club. Designated coaches at each school are then tasked with training the runners for the 6-week club which then culminates with the Running is Elementary one mile race.

More than 500 students participated this year! The students are cheered on by their fellow students, their families, principals, teachers and running coaches; it’s amazing to see the dedication and hard work the students put in to complete the race. Click here to see the full photo gallery below.

Cindy Batalis, Mary Frank P.E. teacher, began the yearly tradition of Running Is Elementary back in 2008. Batalis’ own love for running and her desire to pass that love on to students is evident in the passion she puts into the Running is Elementary event each year. 

CONGRATULATIONS to all the students who participated! It is a tremendous accomplishment to complete a one-mile cross country course race. Below are the race results show 1^st, 2^nd, and third place winners.

Race Results:

5^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 6:31, Bib #518, [Prairie Vista]
2. 6:45, Bib #90, [Elm Road]
3. 7:01, Bib #11, [Bittersweet]

5th Grade Boys Winners

1. 6:03, Bib #484, [Northpoint]
2. 6:21, Bib #221, [Horizon]
3. 6:26, Bib #551, [Prairie Vista]

4^th Grade Girls Winners

1. 6:45, Bib #462, [Northpoint]
2. 7:21, Bib #476, [Northpoint]
3. 7:35, Bib #64, [Bittersweet]

4th Grade Boys Winners

1. 6:27, Bib #309, [Madison]
2. 6:29, Bib #468, [Northpoint]
3. 6:50, Bib #437, [Moran]

Click Here for Full Photo Gallery

The baseball field at Penn High School’s Jordan Automotive Baseball Stadium was officially dedicated and renamed on Saturday, April 26 as Greg Dikos Field after Hall of Famer Kingsmen and current coach. 

The field renaming was a $10,000 gift from retiring School Superintendent Dr. Jerry and Donna Thacker to the P-H-M Education Foundation Naming Rights Campaign. This makes the fifth donation Dr. and Mrs. Thacker have made as part of the Naming Rights Campaign, recognizing the contributions P-H-M employees have made to the community. Click here for more details.

The ceremony took place in the outfield between the doubleheader between the Kingsmen and Lake Central with the 12-2 Kingsmen win on the scoreboard as the backdrop. Click to see the full photo gallery below.

On hand with Coach Dikos and his wife Sally were their three children, extended family and friends, current and former Kingsmen players and coaches, Penn Hall of Famer Football Coach Chris Geesman, P-H-M School Board Members, P-H-M Education Foundation Board Members, Penn High School Principal Dr. Sean Galiher, P-H-M Administrators Dr. Heather Short and Dr. Tom Kelley, and of course Dr. and Mrs. Thacker.

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Penn has won six State Championships during Dikos’ tenure as head coach – 1994, 1998, 2001, 2015, 2022. 2023.

Coach Dikos has also led Penn to seven Semi-State Championships, 13 Regional Champion-

ships, 21 Sectional Championships and 22 Northern Indiana Conference Championships.

A graduate of Swartz Creek High School (Mich.) and Ball State University, Coach Dikos was selected by the Atlanta Braves as a third baseman in the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft in the 31st round.

Coach Dikos was inducted into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.