Eight individuals and one team of staff members have been recognized as the Neenah Joint School District’s Employees of the Year for the 2018-19 school year.
The group represents one individual from each of the District’s employment categories. They were selected from the approximately 700 total employees of the Neenah Joint School District and were nominated by colleagues, parents and students. They will be honored at a reception on April 24.
Four teachers were selected, including Alisia Myers from the elementary level, Scott Schneider from the middle school level, Chris Rundquist from the high school level and high school teacher Margaret Konz from the special services area. Wilson Elementary School principal Ryan Hammerschmidt was named the Administrator of the Year. Horace Mann Middle School library media assistant Amanda Huycke was selected as the Educational Assistant of the Year. District office administrative assistant Bonnie McClone is the Administrative Assistant of the Year and Coolidge Elementary custodian Ken Mathewson is the Operations/Maintenance Employee of the Year.
The Team of the Year honor was awarded to the Project Lead the Way Launch Team. Led by District STEM Coordinator Curtis Bartlett, the group created and provided training for elementary teachers throughout the District to implement a Project Lead the Way curriculum over the past three years through a grant from Bemis Company. Team members include Sarah Broda, Debbie Burmeister, Kalina Churness, Michelle Dorn, Katherine Hess, Kristin Hessenthaler, Karen Martis, Molly Messner, Mary Poulter, Theresa Skifton and Justin Schultz.
Myers began her career at Lakeview Elementary and is in her 13th year at the school. She also did her student teaching at Lakeview while as a student at UW-Oshkosh. Myers began her career as a kindergarten teacher and then moved to first grade and has been teaching fourth grade since 2011. She originated and has organized the school’s annual “Stuff the Turkey” event for needy families at Thanksgiving for the past 10 years. Myers was one of two Wisconsin teachers selected to participate in the Mickelson Math and Science Teachers Academy in 2016 in Jersey City, N.J.
Schneider is in his 21st year teaching middle school science and currently teaches eighth grade at Shattuck Middle School. Schneider holds bachelor’s degrees from UW-La Crosse and UW-Superior. He redesigned his classroom this past year to use the “ambitious science teaching” model. Schneider also is an active user of the Newsela digital literacy platform in his courses. He has been active in coaching during his teaching career, having coached at all grade levels in football, basketball and baseball.
Rundquist is in his 20th year teaching social studies at Neenah High School after teaching eight years at the middle school and high school levels in Kimberly. Rundquist earned a bachelor’s degree from UW-Stevens Point and is known for developing strong relationships with his students. He currently teaches Wisconsin History and Government courses. Rundquist is also a coach in the Neenah wrestling program.
Konz is in her 27th year in the District as a Special Education teacher working with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD). She is in her second year working with the self-contained program. Konz previously worked at the elementary level at Lakeview and Clayton for her first 12 years in the District. She is an Indiana State University graduate and also taught one year each at North Chicago (Ill.) and Wauconda (Ill.) High Schools. Konz served several years as Neenah’s junior varsity girls tennis coach.
Hammerschmidt is in his eighth year as principal at Wilson and has guided the school through significant gains during his tenure. Wilson has significantly exceeded expectations on the Wisconsin state report cards the past three years and earned its highest score ever in 2017-18 at 91.7. In 2013-14, Wilson’s score was 68.1. The school has earned gold distinction in the Wisconsin School Health Awards three straight years and its counseling program was one of 10 “program of promise” award winners statewide each of the past two years. Hammerschmidt is a St. Cloud State University graduate and earned a Master’s degree from Marian University.
Huycke is in her seventh year as a Library Media Assistant in the District and her third year at Horace Mann. A UW-Oshkosh graduate, she also worked at Clayton and Spring Road Elementary Schools and was a substitute in the District for two years prior to her full-time appointment. Huycke serves as a “big sister” to a student at Horace Mann as well.
McClone is in her 21st year in the District and sixth in her current role as the District’s student information systems manager. She is responsible for school registration and numerous reports to the Department of Public Instruction. McClone previously served as the District’s coordinator of transportation and accounts receivable.
Mathewson is in his 25th year in the District and 15th year at Coolidge. He previously worked at Lakeview and Washington Elementary Schools with brief stints at the administration building and high school.
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