Three Troy Schools employees win awards

Three locals, who have dedicated their time and effort to education, have been honored with three separate awards.

Christina Schertel, Terry Herman and John Konzen have each received awards from the Montana Council of Exceptional Children.

They were each presented with the awards on Feb. 16 at a conference and award ceremony in Missoula.

Schertel received her Leadership Award during the ceremony.

When she started as the Special Education Director, she began systematically organizing in order to make the special education services in the district effective for each and every special needs student. Christina organized and streamlined the data gathering and testing that is regularly done on each student so that student files became in order and up-to standard. She also set up individual education plans in accordance with state and federal law.

On top of this, Schertel is also the youth soccer program coordinator, a parent-teacher association member, student council volunteer and mentor for three new high school English teachers.

At the same ceremony, Herman, a former Troy teacher, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has made continued and sustained contributions to the education of children and youth with exceptionalities.

Terry started her career working as a special education teacher at Browning Schools, and following her tenure there, she moved with her family to Troy, where worked as a special education teacher and director for the district for nearly three decades.

Following her retirement, she came back to work in the schools as a Behavior Intervention Specialist and worked with at-risk students for three years. She continues to work in the schools as a mentor to new special education teachers and regular education teachers.

In his letter of nomination, Troy Superintendent and High School Principal Jacob Francom, “Terry’s influence has been felt across generations and ask that you give her nomination for this recognition serious consideration.”

Konzen received the Community Service Award from the council.

The Community Service Award recognizes an individual who exhibits unwavering dedication to supporting youth, children and adults with exceptionalities.

Konzen is the former Troy High School Principal and the same school official who received the Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals’ 2017 Friends in Education Award in January.