Benson High teacher and mentor surprised Wednesday with national recognition
A Benson High School teacher was recognized both locally and nationally Wednesday morning during a surprise ceremony with peers and colleagues.
Rhonda Sherman was honored as Omaha's School Champion and one of five school champions nationwide for her work as a mentor with ACE Mentor Program.
"I love my students, I love the staff, I love helping kids find their path to college or for a career or to a job," Sherman, an educator of more than 30 years, said. "It's what I like to do."
Sherman has been with ACE for four years. It's a program that teaches students in architecture, construction and engineering — helping them become attracted to industry-related careers.
"They learn how to build a resume, they learn how to work with professionals, make decisions, they're just ready for college and career and that's what I wanted," Sherman said.
Jan Christensen, the executive director of ACE Mentor of Greater Omaha was in attendance Wednesday and praised Sherman's work as a mentor.
"You have elevated this program to way more than we ever thought was possible," Christensen said.
Benson High Principal Melinda Bailey was also in attendance. Bailey said it's teachers such as Sherman who can mean so much to a district and groups of students.
"It makes my heart warm because I've been in education a long time to know we have teachers like that who students want to come back to," Bailey said.
Sherman told KETV she is exactly where she needs to be in her career.
Learn more about ACE by following this link.