His name is well-known by students and parents alike.
Jim Gilboy is a familiar face in the education world of Humboldt County, and very recently he was recognized for his contributions to education that span across state lines. The University of Montana Western’s Education Department and Alumni Office, in partnership with Stockman Bank, presented the Tenth Annual Night of Stars, an event that included induction into the Education Hall of Fame. Gilboy was one of five inductees.
Gilboy is originally from Butte, Mont., and received his Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education in 1991 from Western Montana College.
“I enjoyed my time as a work-study student in the Early Education Resource Center. It was there that I was reassured a career working with younger children would be a favorable journey to embark upon,” said Gilboy.
Gilboy went on to continue his education at Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts where he earned a Master’s in Education in 2000. In 2018, he earned his Master’s of Science in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University.
Gilboy began his teaching career at Grass Valley Elementary School in Winnemucca, Nevada where he taught for 28 years. He taught first, second and third grade, served as Dean of Students, was a Literacy Specialist, Instructional Coach, and lead facilitator of Positive Behavioral Intervention Supports.
Within the Humboldt County School District, he served on the district’s first technology committee, developed and provided train-the-trainer technology professional development courses, and worked with the Northeastern Nevada Regional Professional Development Program to design and implement a district-wide professional development program focusing on highly effective mathematical teaching methods.
Gilboy was chosen as the Grass Valley Elementary School Teacher of the Year in 1997, received the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award in 1998, and was Who’s Who among America’s Teachers in 2004, 2005, and 2006. In 2007, 2009, and 2010, he was awarded the Humboldt County School District Senior Choice Award along with the Grass Valley Elementary School Innovative Teacher Award. Gilboy retired in 2022 after receiving the Grass Valley Elementary School Teacher of the Year award.
“Western was a wonderful institution to attend because of the small class sizes. I felt my instructors took personal interest and time to get to know me as an individual and I got to know many people around campus,” he said.
The ceremony took place at the university on April 22.