Neenah Joint School District educators Chad and Jenni Oeftger have been recognized by the Board of Education for their work in promoting inclusivity for all students with the “Passion for Excellence Award.”
The Oeftgers both teach special education and are actively involved with the District’s Special Olympics and Project Unify programs. Chad teaches at Neenah High School and Jenni teaches at Shattuck Middle School.
The award is the most prestigious honor given by the Board and recognizes individuals or organizations who exemplify a commitment to excellence in our public schools. The award is in memory of former Board member John Hinkfuss, who served from 1987-2002. The recognition may reflect a single achievement or a lifetime of service. The Oeftgers are only the second recipient of the award over the past six years.
Chad coaches Neenah’s Special Olympics programs in basketball, bowling, softball, track and other sports based on student interest. He has been the driving force behind the “Phase 2” event where the Special Olympics basketball team takes on a team of high school faculty with support from the rest of the student population as part of the varsity boys’ basketball “Meet the Rockets” event. Neenah also hosts the state Special Olympics basketball skills competition and Chad was selected as a coach for Team Wisconsin at the Special Olympics USA games last summer in Seattle.
Jenni worked to create a class called “Connecting Through Careers” where special education students take a Family and Consumer Science course with other students and work on a variety of different projects and activities. She also leads students clubs such as Teen Stop and Project Unify where students with and without special needs work with and learn from one another. Some of their events have included a sailing trip to Madison, a Polar Plunge event and a fishing program at Riverside Park.
The Oeftgers’ work touches students of all ages as they also organize “Spread the Word to End the Word” events at District elementary schools. This past year they began a “Young Athletes” program where students with and without special needs from ages 2-7 participate in various activities one night per week. They also share presentations with other educators and parents to promote special needs programs and encourage other districts and communities to support similar initiatives.
“Chad and Jenni devote each and every day to working with special needs students within our District and share their gifts with kids outside of the school day in their own home and in our Neenah community,” said Shattuck principal Stephanie Phernetton.
The Passion for Excellence Award was first presented in 2006. The Oeftgers are the 12th recipient of the award since its inception. It is the fifth time the award has been given to a current or former District employee.
Click Here for more information on the Passion for Excellence Award and past recipients
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