Eight individuals and one team of staff members have been recognized as the Neenah Joint School District’s Employees of the Year for the 2016-17 school year. The group represents one individual from each of the District’s employment categories.
They were selected from the 685 total employees of the Neenah Joint School District and were nominated by colleagues, parents and students.
Four teachers were selected, including Julie Lennon from the elementary level, Cheryl Prosek from the middle school level, Sara Roblee from the high school level and high school counselor Beth Altekruse from the special services area. Spring Road Elementary Principal Michaela Neitzel was named the Administrator of the Year, while Lori Harness from the high school was selected as the Educational Assistant of the Year. Facilities Services Coordinator Jane Bahr is the Administrative Assistant of the Year and District groundsperson Tim Wichman is the Operations/Maintenance Employee of the Year.
For the second time, a “Team of the Year” was selected. The honor was awarded to the District technology team. Led by Director of Technology Matt Anderson, the group coordinated training activities for staff members on Professional Learning Days and was quick to respond to technology issues throughout the District. They issued Chromebooks to every student in grades 7-12 and iPads to students in grades 4K-6 for the second straight year. They also coordinated the distribution of new laptop computers to nearly every District employee this year. Team members include Katherine Conor, Andy Dubey, Todd Hinzman, Cindy Kardong, Sandy Kasper, Rocco Marchionda, Bonnie McClone, Shawn McGrath, Austin Moore, Betty Proces, Neal Pynenberg and Bryan VonDeylen.
Lennon has been teaching first through third grades at Alliance Charter Elementary School since 2005. Lennon has been instrumental in the development and growth of the Montessori program at Alliance over the past 12 years. She has also been involved in the creation of a tech club for teachers to share technology ideas in the classroom. Lennon taught for 13 years in Waupaca prior to her career in Neenah.
Prosek teaches science at Shattuck Middle School and is in her second stint with the District. She taught at Shattuck from 1994-98 and then substituted until returning full-time in 2005. Prosek has taught at both Neenah High School and Shattuck since her return. She has coached basketball and led the Science Olympiad team at Shattuck.
Roblee is in her 20th year teaching English at Neenah High School. She currently serves as the co-chair of the English department. Roblee has been a pioneer in standards-based grading practices and has worked to share her knowledge with colleagues. She teaches an American Studies class for juniors and an advanced English class for seniors.
Altekruse in her 19th year as a guidance counselor in the District. She began her current position at Neenah High School in 2003 after five years at the elementary level at Hoover and Taft. Altekruse is the chair of counseling department and has served as a mentor to counselors through the District.
Neitzel is in her ninth year as principal at Spring Road. A Neenah native, Neitzel taught in Milwaukee Public Schools and was a principal in West Allis for three years prior to returning home. She has tutored two current District principals, April Keepers and Diane Luft, who were previously teachers on her staff. She has also worked with five District Teachers of the Year during her tenure.
Harness is in her 16th year as an educational assistant working with cognitively disabled students at the high school. She also works numerous athletic events throughout the school year as a supervisor and scorekeeper.
Bahr is in her 25th year as the coordinator of facilities. She is the administrative assistant for the operations and maintenance department and handles facilities requests from outside groups throughout the District.
Wichman is completing his 30th year in the District. He began his career in 1988 and worked as a custodian at Lakeview, Tullar and Horace Mann before accepting his current role as groundsman in 1998. He maintains the exterior of school buildings and athletic fields throughout the District.
The Employees of the Year will be honored at a social at the Riverwalk Hotel on Wed., May 10 from 3:45-5 p.m. Lakeview, Roosevelt and Alliance math specialist Andra Mory will also be honored for her Kohl Fellowship award.
|