Page 15 - TTWIWinter2022-2023
P. 15
Awards
Teaching Today Wisconsin | Winter 2022–23, Volume 1 Page 15
Wisconsin's 2023 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year
“This recognition validates not only my
years of working as an educator, but just as
importantly, it recognizes and validates all the
talented and generous teachers who I have had
the opportunity to work with. There has never
been a more important time to be an educator,
as we face not only the recent and alarming
teacher shortage nationally, but also as a time to Sarah Kopplin Peggy Billing
work together with our families and community Sarah Kopplin — Shorewood Inter- Peggy Billing — Library media special-
leaders to address a recent, divisive culture. We mediate School World Geography teacher ist at Lakeland Union High School, Peggy
have to focus as one, on our children.”
Sarah Kopplin has a passion for social studies billing, has been an educator for nearly 20
— Lori Danz, 2023 Wisconsin education and finds innovative, resourceful years. Lakeland Union Principal Chad Gaurke
Teacher of the Year ways to provide opportunities for all stu- describes billing as an “outside the box
Kaelee Heideman — In her fifth year as dents. In addition to serving on the school’s thinker” who successfully utilizes STEAM
a counselor at Traeger, Kaelee Heideman is a instructional leadership, Kopplin also is a activities to enhance her classes. “She has
leader at the school and within the district, co- member of several district, state and national helped me in so many ways to find a creative
facilitating the social emotional learning team Kaelee Heideman organizations advocating for social studies outlook on different situations,” said student
and providing professional development around education and has a sincere commitment Teiya Farmer. billing is credited with helping
equity, trauma-informed care, and positive dents. I just want to support them however they to improving outcomes for students. “Mrs. design and launch a statewide low-cost collec-
behavioral interventions and support. “I have need it, roll with it and be flexible in whatever Kopplin received this award because of her tion of audio, ebooks, and digital magazines
so many dreams for what I can do with my stu- that looks like for them and giving them the best passion for social studies education and the through the Wisconsin Schools Digital Library
parts of me always.”
innovative, resourceful ways she provides Consortium, which she has served on since the
opportunities for all students.” — Shore- group’s inception in 2018.
wood School District.
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facebook.com/TeachingTodayWI Lori Danz Dustin Anderson
Dustin Anderson — As the art teacher at
Lori Danz — With more than 20 Grant Elementary, in Wisconsin Rapids Public
Did you miss an issue of years of experience in education, Lori Danz Schools, Anderson has a passion for art and
Teaching Today WI™? teaches biology at Superior High School, uses it to help students and the community learn
and grow. Grant Elementary Principal Nicole
and is also the school forest coordinator for
Access previous issues at the district. “When I first met Lori, I was so Calteux credited Anderson for being a leader
impressed by her ability to inspire her stu-
in the district, working tirelessly to provide
dents to think critically and creatively about the best education for every student. In 2020,
the natural world around them. We had the Anderson was selected as Wisconsin Elemen-
www.teachingtodaywi.com pleasure of visiting the school forest with her tary Art Educator of the Year by the Wisconsin
Art Education Association. Anderson hopes
students, and I agree with them – there really
is something magical about learning science that by being named Teacher of the Year, it will
in the woods.” — Wisconsin’s Superinten- motivate his students to continue to do well in
dent of Schools the classroom and accomplish their goals.
