Cimarron high couple named Review-Journal’s educators of the year

Jennifer Stensrud remembers the impression winning a world championship in robotics made on her during her first year student-teaching at Cimarron-Memorial High School in 2007.

“It was really easy for me to get hooked,” Stensrud recalled. “There’s nothing more motivating than competing.”

Stensrud and her husband, Eric Stensrud, were named the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Educators of the Year Thursday for their efforts inspiring students as teachers for Cimarron-Memorial’s award-winning robotics team.

The Stensruds were chosen from a group of 10 teachers who were recognized throughout the school year through the Clark County Educators of the Month, sponsored by the Review-Journal and Sierra Nevada College.

Founded in 2001 by teachers Joe Barry and Marc Rogers, the Cimarron robotics team has grown from a half-dozen students in its early years to a roster of 89 in 2015, Eric Stensrud said. That includes a junior varsity team and a varsity team of 30 students who travel to international competitions, such as an upcoming summer trip to China.

“Robots are now seen as a potential job, not just a hobby,” Eric Stensrud said.

David Blodgett, who nominated the Stensruds, said the pair should be applauded for providing “amazing opportunities for students in high school and after graduation.”

Former robotics team members have gone on to study at Stanford University, Cornell University, the University of California, Berkeley, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University, they said.

Each month’s winner is chosen by a panel that includes the members of the Clark County School Board, Public Education Foundation and Teach for America.

The Stensruds received a check for $5,000, to go to a scholarship of their choice, as well as a $300 gift card for them and a $250 gift card for their school.

Other teachers nominated included Nicole Schwedrsky, Kesterson Elementary; Tina Miller, Del Sol High; Lisa Hinricksen, West Career and Technical Academy; Carminda Ranches, Centennial High; Gail Nelson, Odyssey Charter School; Andrew Magness, Valley High; Cheri Garner, Steele Elementary; and Hikmet Erdogan, Coral Academy of Science Las Vegas.

Contact Knowles Adkisson at kadkisson@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5529. Follow @knowlesadkisson on Twitter.