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Jena Combs has joined Lincoln Trail College as a Music/Instrumental Instructor and will lead the jazz band and pep band. She also teaches general education music classes, instrumental lessons, and classes geared toward music majors like music theory.
Combs earned an Associate in Science and Arts from Olney Central College in 2011 and then transferred to Eastern Illinois University. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with teacher’s certification. Combs obtained a Master of Arts in Music with a concentration in Music Education from EIU in 2021.
Combs started her career in education as a paraprofessional in a special education classroom at Richland County Middle School. From there, she transitioned into her first teaching role as the district music teacher at Selmaville CCSD #10, where she taught K-8th grade general music, 5th-8th grade choir, and 4th-8th grade band. After one year, she moved to her hometown, Flora, Illinois, to become the Elementary Band Director at Flora CUSD #35. There, she taught 4th and 5th-grade beginning band for four years before taking on a high school position within the district. At Flora High School, she expanded the music program to include choir, drama, guitar/ukulele, rock band, and dual credit music appreciation. Jena served as the music director at Flora High School for three years before joining LTC.
Her passion for music education has led to several accolades. In 2021, Combs received the Illinois School Board of Education’s Early Career Educator Award of Meritorious Service. In 2024, she was honored with the Eastern Illinois University Music Education Distinguished Alumni Award and named a Yamaha 40 Under 40 Educator. Her high school concert band was selected to perform at the 2024 Illinois Music Education Conference, where she also presented a session titled “Innovative Approaches to Secondary General Music Education: Starting and Sustaining Non-Traditional Classes.”
A native of Flora, Combs has been involved in band since 4th grade and has known from an early age that she wanted to pursue a career in education. Although she briefly considered agriculture education, her passion for music ultimately guided her career path.
Outside of her professional life, Combs enjoys spending time with her family. Her husband, Eric, was a music educator before transitioning to his current role as an Instructional Designer for Hershey Corporate and works at the Robinson Hershey plant. The couple has three children, ages 2, 12, and 14, who are active in band, choir, and musicals. Her family shares her love for the outdoors, and they often spend their free time hiking, camping, and scuba diving. Combs also enjoys researching, learning, and reading.
