LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A teacher at a local Clark County school is being recognized Tuesday for excellence in the classroom.
The surprise had Governor Joe Lombardo and Superintendent Jesus Jara in attendance.
At the start of the school bell, teacher Laura Jeanne Penrod was dressed as an alien for her English class. By noon, her colleagues encouraged her to change for a once-in-a-lifetime surprise.
It’s great to be back at @swctacommunity to surprise the Teacher of the Year! Mrs. Laura Jeanne Penrod is amazing. @ClarkCountySch #NVTeacheroftheYear pic.twitter.com/TTNbOaFqHU
— NV Superintendent of Public Instruction (@NVSupt) September 19, 2023
Ms. Penrod, a teacher at Southwest Career and Technical Academy, has been an educator since 2006.
Her students had some of the highest English ACT scores in Clark County.
Clark County's superintendent commented she leads honest conversations around the resources and support teachers need in the classroom.
Beyond the classroom, Penrod has also helped lead the way in the passage of two assembly bills here in Nevada—one on financial literacy and one on college and career readiness.
In the crowd, support from Penrod's family, who also comes from a long line of educators—from her husband to her uncle to her late mom:
"My mom, I'm going to get a little emotional, she passed away from COVID in 2021. She was a teacher for 15 years, and I saw how fiercely she loved teaching and her students. I'm really honored that I'm so much like her and that I'm willing to speak up and use my voice to help not only Clark County, but the whole state."
