The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has announced the 46 private school winners of $496,000 in Principal, Teacher and Student awards to WCRIS schools.

These winners were selected from a competitive field of applicants from across the state and represent the best and brightest in private K-12 schools.

Fourteen Teacher Fellowship award recipients each receive $6,000 and $6,000 for each of their schools. Fourteen Student Excellence and 14 Student Initiative Scholarship winners each receive $10,000.

Four WCRIS principals each receive $6,000 and another $6,000 for each of their schools, from the Outstanding Wisconsin Leadership Award, which is the fourth year of this program.

The Award winners are notified individually by the Foundation. They will be recognized at regional receptions in May. Benefactor Herb Kohl will attend each ceremony to present the awards, along with WCRIS Board members and staff.

“These awards not only serve as a marker of excellence for principals, teachers and students, but a marker of excellence for WCRIS schools,” Executive Director Sharon Schmeling said.

“On behalf of WCRIS, I want to congratulate all the nominees and winners of this year’s awards. We are proud of the hard work you do to make private education in Wisconsin excellent,” Schmeling said.

Principal Leadership Award Winners

Michael Cattani, Saint Thomas Aquinas Academy, Marinette
John Schultz, Pilgrim Lutheran School, Green Bay
Sam Seefeld, Trinity Lutheran Grade School, Mequon
Lori Suarez, Wauwatosa Catholic School, Wauwatosa

Teacher Fellowship Award Winners

Valerie Bremer, Saint Paul Lutheran School, Grafton
Shelly Bruley, Assumption Middle School, Wisconsin Rapids
Joy Ebersole, Holy Family Parish School, Whitefish Bay
Paul Fleisch, Marquette University High School, Milwaukee
Jeffery Gress, Newman Catholic Middle, Wausau
Megan Hellmann, Blessed Sacrament Elementary, La Crosse
Sara Lawman, Chilton Area Catholic School, Chilton
Ann Mocchi, University Lake School, Hartland
Jane Mose, Saint Mark Lutheran School, Green Bay
Heide Mueller, Saint Paul Evangelical Lutheran School, Onalaska
Mary Petrie, Catholic Memorial High School, Waukesha
Robin Roeske, First Immanuel Lutheran School, Cedarburg
Danielle Santori, St. Eugene School, Fox Point
Jean Scheele, St. Josaphat Parish School, Milwaukee

Student Excellence Award Winners

Arushi Dhingra, Brookfield Academy, Brookfield
Rebecca Gatewood, Lake Country Lutheran High School, Milwaukee
Samuel Henderson, Catholic Central High School, Burlington
Anika Homan, Fox Valley Lutheran High School, Appleton
David Jensen, Saint Thomas More High School, Milwaukee
Andy Liu, Brookfield Academy, Brookfield
Mary Parlier, Dominican High School, Whitefish Bay
Samuel Russ, Northland Lutheran High School, Kronenwetter
Scott Russell, Notre Dame Academy, Green Bay
Julia Seidel, Newman Catholic High School, Wausau
Elianna Steenwyk, Sheboygan County Christian School, Sheboygan
Lillian Wahl, St. Mary’s Spring Academy, Fond du Lac
Nicholas Welnetz, Roncalli Catholic High School, Manitowoc
Elizabeth Wong, University School of Milwaukee, Milwaukee

Student Initiative Award Winners

Lindsey Albaugh, St. Thomas Aquinas Academy, Marinette
Holly Blanchard, Pius XI Catholic High School, Milwaukee
Rachel Bouwer, Pacelli Catholic High School, Stevens Point
Rein Butler, St. Ambrose Academy, Madison
Douglas Grace, University School of Milwaukee, Milwaukee
Olivia Heinen, Sheboygan Christian School, Sheboygan
Alyssa Koston, Wisconsin Academy, Columbus
Robert Little, St. Lawrence Seminary High School, Mt. Calvary
Katelyn McGurk, Lakeside Lutheran High School, Lake Mills
Kate McPhee, The Praire School, Racine
Michael Polus, Regis High School, Eau Claire
Daniel Schoensee, Martin Luther High School, Greendale
Calli Statz, Assumption High School, Wisconsin Rapids
Rebecca Walter, Columbus Catholic High School Marshfield

If you are a teacher or teacher leader looking for ways to turn your school and your classrooms into a neuroscience-backed, brain-based learning environment, where today’s students will thrive, then you can’t miss the 2020 WCRIS Leadership Conference keynote.

You will hear Dr. Lori Desautels speak about educational neuroscience, how trauma inhibits learning, and WHAT exactly YOU can do about it.

This TEDx speaker and published author attracts standing-room-only crowds at her presentations. This is not your average “TIC/TSS” training. WCRIS is excited to bring her to you!

As a special feature of our program, attendees will also have the option to attend Dr. Desautel’s two-part, follow-up workshop, which will provide hands-on practical tips of what teachers can do to address it.

Don’t miss out on all of this and more at the 2020 WCRIS Leadership Conference on March 6 at the Ingelside Hotel in Pewaukee.

Click “Learn More” below to register, see workshops and a tentative schedule.