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 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.

Discovery Middle School is proud to announce that in late March 7th grade Social Studies teacher Les Cornelison was named the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Teacher of the Year for Indiana’s District 3 for 2025. The award recognizes exceptional educators who instill the values of civic responsibility, patriotism, and service in their students.

Mr. Cornelison, unaware he had even been nominated, was humbled to receive the news. He credits fellow educator Ryan Towner for submitting the nomination that led to the recognition. “I am very honored to be thought of in this manner,” Les shared.

Each year, the VFW selects one teacher from each state district for this distinction. Winners receive a stipend for both professional development and classroom resources. As the District 3 honoree, Mr. Cornelison is now eligible for consideration at the state and national levels.

Les Cornelison’s life has been a journey of service. He began in the United States Marine Corps from 1990-1994.

Following his military service, Les transitioned into the fire service, rising through the ranks from firefighter to Fire Captain and ultimately Fire Chief with both the Penn Township and Osceola Fire Departments. While working, he pursued his MBA part-time at IU South Bend.

He later served as a U.S. Diplomat in locations including China, the Philippines, Washington D.C., and Afghanistan. After retiring in 2020 and overcoming a spinal injury, Les found a new path in education—bringing decades of real-world experience into his classroom.

“My biggest drive is I want to be adding value to my students,” said Les. “I have my pension. I don’t need to work, but I want to give back and help develop a love of learning in my students.”

We congratulate Mr. Cornelison on this well-deserved honor and thank him for his continued dedication to serving others, both in and out of the classroom!

Along with earning the Transition to Teaching licensure, Mr. Cornelison earned two other degrees from IUSB: Bachelors of Science in Economics, Statistics Concentration and a Masters of Business Management and Administration. You can read more about what led Mr. Cornelison to transition into education. 

At tonight’s meeting of the Board of School Trustees, the Board voted to approve Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker’s recommendation naming Dr. Thomas Keeley as the new Chief Operating Officer for the Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation, effective immediately.

Dr. Keeley brings over 30 years of experience in public education, with a strong record of leadership in school operations and finance. Since joining P-H-M in March 2023 as Executive Director of Business Services, he has provided strategic oversight of the district’s $137 million budget, demonstrating sound financial stewardship and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. His expertise has been instrumental in navigating recent changes in state education funding, helping to position the district for continued financial stability and success.

Prior to his tenure at P-H-M, Dr. Keeley served as Director of Operations for Rush County Schools and spent 14 years as Assistant Superintendent of Beech Grove City Schools. His career began as a middle school science teacher, and over the years, he has held roles including wrestling coach, dean of students, athletic director, and principal.

In addition to his K-12 leadership, Dr. Keeley has been actively involved in higher education for the past 14 years as an adjunct professor and lecturer at Indiana State University. He teaches courses in school business finance, facilities planning, public school law, and the role of the public superintendent. He is an engaged member of the Indiana Association of School Business Officials (IASBO) and was named Region 8 Business Manager of the Year in 2014.  He has also served as the state director of INASPA.

Dr. Keeley was named after former COO Dr. Aaron Leniski announced his resignation to take on a new leadership role in the private sector, overseeing operations at a structural engineering firm. While we are excited for him and this next chapter, his departure marks the end of a remarkable 25-year career with Penn-Harris-Madison. Dr. Leniski Is a 1998 Penn graduate and returned to P-H-M in 2000 as a substitute teacher and then assistant football coach. His roles at P-H-M included: Mathematics and Technology teacher at Penn, Penn’s Assistant Athletic Director, Principal of Madison Elementary School, Penn’s Athletic Director, and then became COO in March 2018. In this role, he provided strategic oversight for Facilities, Business Services, Human Resources, Transportation, Safety, and Security while also serving as a key liaison for Penn High School Athletics. His leadership has left a lasting impact, spearheading over $175 million in capital improvement projects to modernize learning environments, upgrade the transportation fleet, and enhance safety protocols and systems districtwide. This includes establishing the Safety Agent program supporting all schools. Furthermore, he worked closely with the PHMEF to promote and expand the district’s naming rights campaign.

April Fools’ Day maybe the day of pranks, but today in Penn-Harris-Madison with a little help of the building principals Superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker used this day synonymous with jokes to surprise five teachers with Spring 2025 Teacher Impact Awards. 

Joining Dr. Thacker on the fun secret surprises were Asst. Superintendent Dr. Heather Short, Director of Professional Development Dr. Lavon Dean-Null, Director of Literacy Ryan Towner, Exceptional Education Director Gena Todd, and Executive Director of the P-H-M Education Foundation Jennifer Turnblom McClain.

The Impact Awards are given to P-H-M educators who had the most significant individual student growth with DIBELS, IREAD, ILEARN, and AP testing.

Five awards were given out on Tuesday, April 1st:

William “Cub” Irons, 9th grade AP History, Penn High School: Highest percentage scoring a 3 or higher on AP History of the World exam.

Awards Given Out April 3rd & 4th

While all P-H-M teachers make an impact with their students and are dedicated to helping them achieve personal academic success, the Impact Award shines the spotlight on educators who have helped their students achieve individual academic growth on their formative assessments over time.

 The first-ever Impact Awards were handed out in September 2023. The Fall 2024 Impact Awards were given out in December.

Thank you to the P-H-M Education Foundation for covering the cost for the beautiful crystal awards which teachers can proudly display in their classrooms.