District News
![Exterior windows at Boone County Nature School covered with small bird-safe adhesive dots to help prevent bird collisions.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788877295/cpsk12org/hnev9oxaulhjcrqvsuab/Boone-County-Nature-School-Windows.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788877295/cpsk12org/hnev9oxaulhjcrqvsuab/Boone-County-Nature-School-Windows.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788877295/cpsk12org/hnev9oxaulhjcrqvsuab/Boone-County-Nature-School-Windows.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788877295/cpsk12org/hnev9oxaulhjcrqvsuab/Boone-County-Nature-School-Windows.jpg","width":1200}])
Boone County Nature School has added bird-safe window treatments through a partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Columbia Public Schools to help prevent bird collisions and provide students with a real-world example of conservation in action.
![Benton Elementary fourth-grade teacher Michelle Jeanville poses with her students and guests in her classroom.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788962777/cpsk12org/nibch8ewcga4foa2hanh/Benton-JeanvilleFourthGrade1.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788962777/cpsk12org/nibch8ewcga4foa2hanh/Benton-JeanvilleFourthGrade1.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788962777/cpsk12org/nibch8ewcga4foa2hanh/Benton-JeanvilleFourthGrade1.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788962777/cpsk12org/nibch8ewcga4foa2hanh/Benton-JeanvilleFourthGrade1.png","width":1200}])
Benton Elementary fourth-grade teacher Michelle Jeanville received a $500 grand prize during the fifth annual Teacher and Staff Appreciation event hosted by Scouting America Great Rivers Council. The event, supported by Joe Machens Ford, celebrated local educators and school staff for their service to students and the community.
![Columbia Public Schools Board of Education members and district leadership pose with the 2026 MSBA Governance Team Award at the MSBA Summer Summit.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1788368995/cpsk12org/sazcwmg5dnfdtdssu2l9/cps-board-of-education-msba-awards-2026jpg.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1788368995/cpsk12org/sazcwmg5dnfdtdssu2l9/cps-board-of-education-msba-awards-2026jpg.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1788368995/cpsk12org/sazcwmg5dnfdtdssu2l9/cps-board-of-education-msba-awards-2026jpg.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1788368995/cpsk12org/sazcwmg5dnfdtdssu2l9/cps-board-of-education-msba-awards-2026jpg.png","width":1200}])
The Columbia Board of Education and two of its members earned statewide recognition for their commitment to leadership, professional development and effective school governance.
![Stacey Throckmorton, Hickman High School Physical Education Teacher]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787778468/cpsk12org/ktcjr4okufwnt8mktzne/Stacey-Throckmorton-hickman-high-school-moshape-teacher-of-year.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787778468/cpsk12org/ktcjr4okufwnt8mktzne/Stacey-Throckmorton-hickman-high-school-moshape-teacher-of-year.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787778468/cpsk12org/ktcjr4okufwnt8mktzne/Stacey-Throckmorton-hickman-high-school-moshape-teacher-of-year.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787778468/cpsk12org/ktcjr4okufwnt8mktzne/Stacey-Throckmorton-hickman-high-school-moshape-teacher-of-year.jpg","width":1200}])
Stacey Throckmorton, a physical education teacher at Hickman High School, has been named a 2026 MOSHAPE Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
![Susan Perkins holding a certificate recognizing her Women Doing Good award.]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1787106396/cpsk12org/g5inalnh4ex4dmlsw9zz/Susan-Perkins-Women-Doing-Good-Award.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1787106396/cpsk12org/g5inalnh4ex4dmlsw9zz/Susan-Perkins-Women-Doing-Good-Award.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1787106396/cpsk12org/g5inalnh4ex4dmlsw9zz/Susan-Perkins-Women-Doing-Good-Award.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1787106396/cpsk12org/g5inalnh4ex4dmlsw9zz/Susan-Perkins-Women-Doing-Good-Award.jpg","width":1200}])
Susan Perkins was recognized at the 5th Annual Women Doing Good Breakfast early this summer for her work on behalf of the school counseling profession in Columbia and statewide.
![School Representatives Accepting the SW-PBS Award of Excellence]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781288583/cpsk12org/rgap2e6rhv876zprfi2f/LangePBSRecognition.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781288583/cpsk12org/rgap2e6rhv876zprfi2f/LangePBSRecognition.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781288583/cpsk12org/rgap2e6rhv876zprfi2f/LangePBSRecognition.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1781288583/cpsk12org/rgap2e6rhv876zprfi2f/LangePBSRecognition.jpg","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1781288583/cpsk12org/rgap2e6rhv876zprfi2f/LangePBSRecognition.jpg","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781288583/cpsk12org/rgap2e6rhv876zprfi2f/LangePBSRecognition.jpg","width":2048}])
Columbia Public Schools had six schools recognized by the Heart of Missouri Regional Professional Development Center for outstanding implementation of Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support (SW-PBS).
![Photo of Dr. Shonda Ambers-Phillips]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781275778/cpsk12org/k5qoruoefvgkt7gfsxde/Dr-Shonda-Ambers-Phillips-ADA.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781275778/cpsk12org/k5qoruoefvgkt7gfsxde/Dr-Shonda-Ambers-Phillips-ADA.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781275778/cpsk12org/k5qoruoefvgkt7gfsxde/Dr-Shonda-Ambers-Phillips-ADA.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781275778/cpsk12org/k5qoruoefvgkt7gfsxde/Dr-Shonda-Ambers-Phillips-ADA.jpg","width":1200}])
Dr. Shonda Ambers-Phillips has been selected to be the Chief Equity Officer for Columbia Public Schools.
![Photo of Hickman High School Principal Virginia Tate]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781275808/cpsk12org/m3rzhzfo8hegozogtnun/Virginia-Tate-Hickman-High-School-Principal-ADA.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781275808/cpsk12org/m3rzhzfo8hegozogtnun/Virginia-Tate-Hickman-High-School-Principal-ADA.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781275808/cpsk12org/m3rzhzfo8hegozogtnun/Virginia-Tate-Hickman-High-School-Principal-ADA.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781275808/cpsk12org/m3rzhzfo8hegozogtnun/Virginia-Tate-Hickman-High-School-Principal-ADA.jpg","width":1200}])
Virginia Tate has been selected to be the principal at Hickman High School for the 2026-2027 school year.
![A photo image of Dr. M. Fernanda Blackburn]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1781275859/cpsk12org/krswikup5xppvxkmsn84/Dr-M-Fernanda-Blackburn-ADA.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1781275859/cpsk12org/krswikup5xppvxkmsn84/Dr-M-Fernanda-Blackburn-ADA.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1781275859/cpsk12org/krswikup5xppvxkmsn84/Dr-M-Fernanda-Blackburn-ADA.jpg","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1781275859/cpsk12org/krswikup5xppvxkmsn84/Dr-M-Fernanda-Blackburn-ADA.jpg","width":1200}])
Dr. M. Fernanda Blackburn has been selected to be the principal at West Boulevard Elementary School for the 2026-2027 school year.
![Columbia-Public-Schools-News]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1722026395/cpsk12org/hqlnqd1xgnarvo3rbcxw/Columbia-Public-Schools-News.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1722026395/cpsk12org/hqlnqd1xgnarvo3rbcxw/Columbia-Public-Schools-News.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1722026395/cpsk12org/hqlnqd1xgnarvo3rbcxw/Columbia-Public-Schools-News.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1722026395/cpsk12org/hqlnqd1xgnarvo3rbcxw/Columbia-Public-Schools-News.png","width":1200}])
Three Columbia Public Schools students have been named National Merit Scholars earning the prestigious national scholarship recognition.