Page 21 - TTWIWinter2024V2

Leadership
Teaching Today Wisconsin | Winter 2024 Volume 2 Page 21

Way to Go Kettle Moraine Schools!

National History Day Awards the Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year Award

to Kettle Moraine Teacher

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Last summer, National history Day that history is messy. he is incredibly proud or website. Projects compete first at the local
(NhD) awarded Mr. Terry Kaldhusdal at of every victory his students have, whether and affiliate levels, where the top entries are
Kettle Moraine Middle School in Dousman, they are finding a resource, completing their invited to the National Contest at the uni-
Wisconsin, the 2023 Patricia behring Teacher project, or winning an award, and he sees their versity of Maryland at College Park. NhD is
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of the Year for the Junior Division. Each of the true reward as the critical skills they learn for sponsored in part by hISToRY , the National
58 National History Day Affiliates may nomi- the future.” Endowment for the humanities, the National
nate one high school and one middle school “Mr. Kaldhusdal is a 30-year veteran Park Service, The better Angels Society, and
teacher for this award. teacher, author, and filmmaker. He shows his the Diana Davis Spencer Foundation. For
This award comes with a $10,000 cash passion in the classroom and is a leader in the more information, visit nhd.org.
prize in addition to the prestige of winning field,” shares NHD Executive Director Cathy
an internationally competitive award that Gorn. “I am very proud to award Terry Kald- About National History Day in
recognizes social studies educators who dem- husdal the Patricia behring Award this year.”
onstrate creative teaching methods that engage Wisconsin
students in history and help them make excit- About National History Day History Day in Wisconsin is open to
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ing discoveries about the past. middle and high school students statewide.
Selected by a committee of experienced (NHD) The program is organized by the Wiscon-
teachers and historians, Mr. Kaldhusdal NHD is a non-profit organization based sin Historical Society, with support from the
was recognized for his passion for the NhD in College Park, Maryland, that seeks to Wisconsin Historical Foundation. NHDinWI
program by the Wisconsin History Day Affili- improve the teaching and learning of history. offers program support for teachers and stu-
ate Coordinator Jessica Schmitz: The National history Day Contest was estab- dents as well as student events. For more
“Terry is the biggest champion for NhD, lished in 1974 and currently engages more information, visit wisconsinhistory.org/nhd.
and he has such excitement for the process than half a million students every year in con-
because he believes it challenges his students. ducting original research on historical topics Courtesy of National History Day
his students are encouraged to explore the of interest. Students present their research as www.kmsd.edu
history they are interested in and understand a documentary, exhibit, paper, performance,

Stellmacher Named WASBO School Business Manager of the Year

superintendents and business managers from
across the state.
A former WASbo President, and critical
advocate for educational funding, Stellmacher
has been a leader in Wisconsin education.
Stellmacher is a frequent presenter at both
WASbo and WASb conferences. he mentors
countless business managers and provides
instrumental support to the Southeast Wis-
consin Schools Alliance (SWSA), advising on
fiscal solvency and providing quality educa-
tion efficiently.
“I think this award is a reflection of the
collaborative nature of both our profession
and specifically our district,” John explained.
“As I look back on my nearly 20 year career,
I am grateful to be in a position where I can
be an advocate for education and for kids. It’s
been my dream job, and although the financial
aspects of my role are the essential function, I
always think of myself as representing educa-
tion first. Any financial decision we’re making want to know that the district is making good are successful know it is a culmination of a lot
needs to be viewed through the lens of the use of the resources we already have. Tax- of people taking time to mentor you along the
student.”
Kettle Moraine School District “Financial transparency in education payers will support quality, but they need to way. The work that I’ve been able to do has
Kettle Moraine School District CFo is more important now than it’s ever been. understand and see that vision.” only been possible because of the many people
John Stellmacher was awarded Wisconsin Statewide, we are having conversations about Superintendent Dr. Steve Plum added, who do that work with me.”
Association of School Business Officials how Wisconsin prioritizes, or doesn’t priori- “John is a diligent fiscal agent with a kind
(WASbo) 2024 School business Manager of tize, education. Locally, in order to secure the heart, a perfect combination for effective and
the Year today at their State Convention. The resources we need in education, we are having efficient business management.” www.kmsd.edu
“There’s no training manual for this posi-
ceremony, held in Milwaukee, drew school to lean on taxpayers who are also voters. They tion,” John concluded, “but the people who