Page 22 - TTWISummer2026

Leadership
Page 22 Electronic Edition: www .teachingtodaywi .com

Five Educators selected as 2026–27 Teachers of the Year

The Wisconsin Department of Public Herb Kohl Philanthropies. One of the five in expanding access to advanced academic teaches college credit composition and lit-
Instruction announced five educators selected educators will also be selected through an opportunities and dual enrollment program- erature courses as part of the College Credit
as 2026–27 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year. interview process to represent Wisconsin in ming, helping to create new pathways for in High School program—a partnership
Wisconsin’s State Superintendent traveled the Council of Chief State School Officers’ student success. Prior to teaching at Wau- with the Wauwatosa School District that
across Wisconsin to surprise each honoree National Teacher of the Year Program. watosa, Etter spent 10 years teaching at he helped create. He is an award-winning
during school celebrations alongside students, Sheboygan North High School. published author and a team manager for
colleagues, families, and members of their Congratulations to Wisconsin’s “Mr. Etter is deeply committed to Destination Imagination, where he mentors
school communities. equity in education and works to ensure students through collaborative, creative
“Among more than 60,000 educators across 2026-27 Teachers of the Year! Wauwatosa East is a welcoming and inclu- problem-solving challenges.
Wisconsin, these five individuals stand out for sive environment where every student is “It’s an amazing honor, one that I never
the extraordinary impact they make in their set up for success,” said Wisconsin’s State would have imagined that I would ever get,”
schools and communities every day,” the State Superintendent during a schoolwide surprise Etter said in a phone interview with AOL.
Superintendent said. “Their compassion for edu- celebration. “His impact extends beyond the “It’s a shock; it’s a treat. Honestly, I would
cation and commitment to helping every student school, where he is a leader in the Wauwa- say I don’t know that I’m really deserving
succeed are truly inspiring. They go above and tosa community and a relentless advocate of it, but I feel that this award is more, I
beyond in their roles, not only as compassion- for public education.” think, a tribute to the two wonderful school
ate teachers to their students, but also as mentors With 30 years of experience, Jonathan districts that I worked in over the course of
to their colleagues, leaders within their schools, expects the very best out of his students and my career.”
and changemakers within their communities. It holds them to high academic standards by
was an honor to celebrate each of them alongside actually encouraging them to make mistakes
those they have impacted. I am incredibly proud as part of the learning process. wauwatosa.k12.wi.us
to recognize them as our 2026–27 Wisconsin In order to do that, he creates a safe
Teachers of the Year.” space within the classroom, welcoming
Each year, the Teacher of the Year any and all students to express themselves
Program, a partnership between the DPI and Jonathan Etter so they can better learn and grow. Jonathan
Herb Kohl Philanthropies, selects five educa- English Teacher from Wauwatosa East High believes what he teaches should reflect the
tors representing elementary schools, middle School, Wauwatosa School District diversity of his students because seeing their
schools, high schools, and special services. Jonathan Etter, an English teacher, has identities brings out the best in them.
As part of their recognition, each Teacher taught at Wauwatosa East High School for Etter is also an adjunct professor of
of the Year will receive a $3,000 award from the past 19 years. He has been instrumental English at a nearby UW College, where he Continued on Page 24

Wisconsin’s 2026 Outstanding Educators Continued from Page 21

Scot Neu, Sauk Prairie High School, Prairie Sabrina Holden, Chilton Area Catholic
CESA 3 (Continued) CESA 9
du Sac School, Chilton
Shawn Zeeh, Wauzeka Middle School, Michelle Puls, Lodi High School, Lodi Ryan Krippendorf, Plymouth High School, Patricia Darr, Northland Pines, Land O’
Wauzeka Plymouth Lakes
CESA 6 Susan Lutz, West De Pere Intermediate Kelly Hoppe, Minocqua Elementary,
CESA 4 School, De Pere Minocqua
Angie Bemowski, Janssen Elementary, David Miller, Sheboygan North High School,
Natalie Anderson, Arcadia High School, Combined Locks Sheboygan Michael Wojtusik, Rhinelander High School,
Rhinelander
Arcadia Taylor Grenlie, Little Chute High School, Jamie Sheehy, Holy Cross Catholic School,
Mariah Bigelow, Coulee Montessori Charter Little Chute Green Bay CESA 10
School, La Crosse Sandra Johnson, Gerritts Middle School, Dawn Shimek, Mishicot High School,
Heather Stenslien, Prairie View Elementary, Kimberly Mishicot Sarah Faude, Medford Elementary, Medford
De Soto Grace King, Badger Middle School, West Kaitlin Skarban, Pulaski High School, Kayla Velasquez, Osseo-Fairchild High
Bend Pulaski School, Osseo
CESA 5 Jessica Martine, Spring Road Elementary, Abbie Van Grinsven, Hilbert District Office, Kylie Weiler, Medford Elementary, Medford
Neenah Hilbert
Nichole Buwalda, Randolph Elementary, Farrell Preston, Hartford High School,
Randolph Hartford Rachel Ziegler, Southwest High School, CESA 11
Joni Feidt, Grant Elementary, Wisconsin Daniel Robinson, Lomira High School, Green Bay Kimberly Bassett, Spooner Elementary,
Rapids Lomira CESA 8 Spooner
Justin Glodowski, Marshfield High School, Michael Wadel, Westside Elementary,
Marshfield Kimberly Shelby Harris, Crandon Elementary, CESA 12
Leah Keller, Adams-Friendship Elementary, Crandon
Friendship CESA 7 Tanya Schallock, Crandon Elementary, Kaite Bartyn, La Pointe Elementary, La
Tonya Lassanske, Sauk Prairie High School, Crandon Pointe
Prairie du Sac Kelsey Allen, Hemlock Creek Elementary, Courtesy of Herb Kohl Philanthropies
Jessica Mueller, Baraboo High School, De Pere
Baraboo