The Idaho Association of School Administrators (IASA) is proud to announce Randy Jensen, Superintendent of the American Falls School District, as the recipient of the Idaho State Superintendent of the Year award. This accolade recognizes Randy Jensen's excellent work as a superintendent and outstanding contributions to the field of education over his 39-year career.
Randy Jensen started as a teacher at William Thomas Middle School in 1985. He later became principal in 1989 and continued to build relationships with parents and students in the community. He served as principal for 28 years and entered into the office of Superintendent in 2017. Randy has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership qualities throughout his career.
IASA President Mark Kress added, "Randy Jensen's leadership extends beyond his district. He actively engages with educational networks and organizations, sharing best practices, offering guidance, and fostering a collaborative spirit. His dedication to supporting public education on a broader scale is commendable and speaks to his deep commitment to the field.” He went on to say there were several highly qualified candidates for the award, but Randy’s application really stood out.
Hillcrest Elementary Principal Tina Fehringer emphasized Randy's caring approach towards every student, saying, "Randy's genuine care for every student and their success is evident in every decision he makes. His leadership ensures that every child in our district has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential."
American Falls High School Principal Travis Hansen lauded Randy Jensen's visionary leadership, saying, "Randy's ability to envision creative ideas and make change happen is remarkable. His innovative strategies have not only addressed challenges but have also led to significant improvements in our district."
American Falls School Board Chairman Kamren Koompin expressed his pride in Randy Jensen's achievements, saying, "Randy's leadership has been transformative for our district. He has consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the needs of our students and community."
Randy Jensen's dedication to education, commitment to every student's success, innovative vision, and ability to bring about positive change make him a deserving recipient of the Idaho State Superintendent of the Year award.
Randy and his daughter, Whitney, created the Read-Talk-Play initiative which stands as an example of his innovative approach to education. The initiative encourages parents to engage in daily activities such as reading, talking, and playing with their children, fostering early language development and cognitive skills. This program has not only had a profound impact in American Falls but has also been adopted in several other cities.
Randy spoke humbly of the award, stating, "This award is truly an award for our community. It starts with the unwavering support of our community, the dedication of our great students, and the incredible work of an amazing staff. While there may not be an award for School District of the Year, I believe this award speaks volumes about the outstanding efforts and accomplishments of our school district and the wonderful community it serves.”
Jensen was the 2004 Idaho Principal of the Year and went on to win the 2005 National Principal of the Year. With this latest recognition as the Idaho State Superintendent of the Year, he will now be considered for the National Superintendent of the Year Award, competing with other state winners from across the nation.
The Idaho Association of School Administrators extends its congratulations to Randy Jensen for this well-deserved honor.
About the Idaho Association of School Administrators (IASA): The Idaho Association of School Administrators (IASA) is the professional organization for school administrators in Idaho. IASA's mission is to promote educational leadership in Idaho by providing professional development, advocacy, and networking opportunities for school administrators, ultimately ensuring high-quality education for all students in the state.