Photo: Catherine Burnett with Milwaukee Alderman Michael Murphy

Art teacher and department chair Catherine Burnett was named the 2019 Wisconsin Private School Teacher of the Year at a surprise classroom event at Pius XI Catholic High School, Milwaukee, and received a check for $3,000 from the Herb Kohl Foundation last Friday.

Applauds and cheers erupted from her students, alumni, parents, friends, and staff of Pius XI as Burnett entered her classroom. Burnett was overcome with emotion at the sight.

She was presented with a plaque from WCRIS Communications and Outreach Coordinator Daniel Henderson, and her check from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Representative, Kim Marggraf. Pius XI staff presented her with flowers and champagne.

She was selected from the 14 WCRIS 2019 Kohl Teacher Fellowship Award winners. Kohl Teacher Fellowship winners receive $6,000, and another $6,000 for their school and as Teacher of the Year, Burnett will receive an additional $3,000 unrestricted award.

“Catherine is a teacher who is transforming education in Wisconsin. She is a prime example of an educator that empowers Wisconsin’s private school students,” said WCRIS Executive Director Sharon Schmeling.

Burnett has been a staff member at Pius XI for 30 years, teaching a variety of art classes. She has been the Art Department Chair for 6 years.

She was chosen because of her ability to identify the creative potential in every student, grounding them in self-directed, meaningful work that leads to academic and lifelong success.

Burnett’s hard work has results. The Pius XI art program is ranked fifth in the nation for high school art programs. The department has been recognized by the White House six times since 1995. Her students have been recognized as National Presidential Scholars and National Young Arts Foundation Finalists.

Recently, two African American students who had suffered significant hardships both earned the title of Presidential Scholar, and are now on full-ride scholarships to prestigious art colleges.

In addition to empowering her students, Burnett works to host an annual AP Fall Portfolio Event that connects her AP students to the nation’s best art colleges and universities who come to interview the students.

Beyond serving Pius as a teacher, Burnett has volunteered at the Haggerty Art Museum at Marquette University, Wauwatosa Children’s Hospital, the Italian Community Center and Discovery World’s Kohl Design It Lab.

WCRIS and the Kohl Foundation have worked together for over 25 years to celebrate private school teachers and the excellence they bring to Wisconsin’s education framework. The Private School Teacher of the Year was created in 2016, by the Foundation, at the request of WCRIS.

WCRIS is seeking workshop presenters for our annual Professional Learning Conference for Private School Teachers (WCRIS PLC).

By completing our Call for Presenters, you have a chance to share your professional expertise with fellow private school educators. The 2019 WCRIS PLC is August 9, 2019, at the Glacier Canyon Lodge in the Wisconsin Dells.

Presenting at a conference is an excellent way to bolster your professional development endeavors and offers you the opportunity to better private education in Wisconsin! You can use this presentation to gain experience and improve your resume or list of achievements when applying for a Kohl Teacher Fellowship award and other teacher grants.

Please consider a proposal on an education topic you are passionate about and that highlights your content knowledge. Consider co-presenting with colleagues. All submitted proposals will be considered. Any field related to education is welcome. Topics for the previous year have included “gamifying your classroom” to “the effects of sensory processing disorders” and many more.

Because the conference is Title II-A eligible, workshop content must be non-sectarian and non-ideological.

If your proposal is selected as a workshop, WCRIS will contact you for the next steps in the planning process. All presenters receive free registration to the conference, program recognition, the opportunity to share their presentations with fellow educators and have all related materials posted on WCRIS’ post-conference resources webpage.

Thank you for your time and for offering your talents to your fellow WCRIS teachers.

WCRIS is hosting its third annual 2019 Professional Learning Conference (PLC) for Private School Teachers on Friday, August 9, 2019 at the Glacier Canyon Lodge, Wilderness Resort in the Wisconsin Dells.

Hurry now and get the early-bird price of $160 per individual or register as a group of three or more and pay the early-bird group rate of $140.

This event is Title II-A eligible and is a valuable addition to your professional development portfolio.

Whether you’re a new Wisconsin teacher or a veteran looking for tips and tricks or an update on hot education topics, the WCRIS PLC has something for educators across subjects and with varying levels of experience. Our conference is created by teachers for teachers.

You’ll hear from our highly requested keynote, Cynthia Tobias, on the different styles of learning. After an exciting keynote, you will have a large selection of workshops to choose from, taught by your fellow private school educators.

This is an excellent opportunity to energize yourself for the new school year and to bring cutting-edge ideas to your school and classrooms.

Consider attending the WCRIS PLC with a group of fellow educators or bring your family for one last summer vacation excursion. The Wilderness Resort has lodging options, activities, attractions and fun for everyone, while the surrounding Dells is one of the premium summer attractions in Wisconsin.