By Chris Spangler
A woman who returned to her hometown alma mater to teach agriculture has been honored by the School District of Fort Atkinson.
Shannon Lyon, Fort Atkinson High School vocational agriculture teacher and FFA adviser for 16 years, was presented the 38th annual Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education during the district’s fall convocation Wednesday morning.
More than 350 employees attended the event in the high school auditorium as the district kicked off the 2023-24 school year.
The award is given in memory of Ron Wildermuth, a longtime teacher and director of instruction in the district who died in a motorcycle crash at the beginning of the 1986-87 school year.
In presenting the honor, district Director of Instruction Amy Oakley noted that the Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education is highly respected among the staff and community, and that Wildermuth’s family, particularly his wife, Judy, selected the annual convocation as the most appropriate time to present it considering their loved one’s strong involvement in the hiring of new teachers and in planning this event.
“The Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education was created to reward an educator in the School District of Fort Atkinson for exemplary work in the area of education. The recipient of the award may be a teacher, specialist, guidance counselor, school social worker, school psychologist, or another certified staff member,” Oakley said.
In addition to an engraved plaque, Lyon was presented with $1,000, including $500 funded by the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation and $250 each from the district board of education and Fort Atkinson Education Association.
Oakley said that Lyon, who joined the School District of Fort Atkinson staff as a long-term substitute in 2007-08 and then full time starting in November the following year, brought with her a teaching philosophy centered on “education is a journey.
“This year’s winner has helped many, many students develop a variety of skills both in and out of the classroom,” she said. “This educator is known for helping her students more clearly define the path they wish to take on both their educational and life journey.”
Oakley noted that Lyon embodies the “1Fort vision” of making strong community relationships and connections in support of her students and programming.
“(She has) demonstrated the ability to work with a variety of learners with a student-centered approach. It is evident from the multiple nominations received from colleagues, families and community members (that) this educator is passionate about her subject area, students, as well as our larger Fort Atkinson community,” Oakley said.
Sharing remarks from some award nominators, she said that one colleague wrote, “When students arrive in their classroom, they know that meaningful learning will be done. This teacher holds students to high expectations and encourages them to use lifelong learning practices.”
A student also commented, “This teacher helped me step out of my comfort zone and helped me find my passion for what I wanted to do in my future.”
According to a parent, Oakley said, Lyon “gives her students a sense of purpose and this is the most empowering gift a teacher can give. Not only is she providing a strong education for her students, she is facilitating the growth and development of good humans.”
Finally, Oakley said that a community member wrote, “This educator is the foundation for many students, colleagues and friends to achieve greatness in themselves. The students and alumni are better aligned for career experiences and readiness from their passion and wisdom.”
Background
A 2000 graduate of Fort Atkinson High School, Lyon earned her bachelor’s degree in agriculture education with a minor in agriculture business in 2004 from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Lyon was very active in FFA during high school, serving as the chapter president, treasurer and director. She was an FFA state winner and among the top 20 nationally in prepared public speaking and a state semifinalist in extemporaneous speaking, and earned both a State FFA Degree and American FFA Degree.
She also was active in a variety of organizations during college, including the AgEd Society (collegiate FFA); Alpha Mu Chapter of Alpha Tau Alpha of Alpha Mu; Agriculture Communicators of Tomorrow; College of Agriculture, Food & Environmental Science, for which she served as a student ambassador; intramural broom ball; and WRFW Radio, for which she was a show host.
Lyon began working full time at Fort Atkinson High School in November of 2008; however, she served as a long-term substitute there during the 2007-08 school year. Prior that, she taught agriculture and biology at Cambridge High School in 2004-05 and was an intern teacher at Hartford Union High School during the spring semester of 2004.
She is a member of the Wisconsin Association of Agriculture Educators, which named her a Section 10 Teacher Turn the Key Award recipient; a Teacher of Teachers Bronze Level honoree in 2016 and Agriscience Teacher of the Year in 2027. She also belongs to the National Association of Agriculture Educators and was a Kohl Teacher Fellowship candidate during the 2014-15 school year.
Also nominated
Lyon was one of 25 educators nominated this year for the Wildermuth Award. The other nominees and the position in which they served when nominated, are:
Diana Barber, Fort Atkinson Middle School at-risk teacher; Stacci Barganz, districtwide Gifted and Talented coordinator; Kathryn Bodelson, middle school social studies teacher; Erin Dach, middle school math teacher; Linda Deets, middle school special education teacher; Erin Ehler, high school special education teacher; Denise Engstrom, Barrie Elementary School third-grade teacher; Katie Field, high school math teacher; Nicole Hampton, high school special education teacher; Julie Herro, Rockwell Elementary School special education teacher; Keri Hill, Purdy Elementary School art teacher; Laura Janke, Barrie kindergarten teacher; Sara Karnatz, high school math teacher; Kim Kerr, Luther Elementary School first-grade teacher; Carissa Koehler, Barrie first-grade teacher.
Also, Jade Korth, Luther fourth-grade teacher; Jenny Mares, Purdy second-grade teacher; Lindsey Meyers, high school math teacher; Andrea Moser, high school English teacher and literacy coach; Annie Sitkiewitz, middle school English Language Arts teacher; Caitlyn Thiess, Luther third-grade teacher; Sarah Traut-Ebert, middle school counselor; Katie Utphall, high school counselor; and Catherine Wilson, high school multilingual learner teacher.
Also on Wednesday, the school district presented the 2023-24 Support Staff of the Year Award and Superintendent Rob Abbott offered a welcome address. Stories about the support staff award and the superintendent’s welcome address will soon be published.
Shannon Lyon, Fort Atkinson High School vocational agriculture teacher and FFA adviser for 16 years, at left, receives the 38th annual Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education from presenter School District of Fort Atkinson Director of Instruction Amy Oakley. The presentation was made during the district’s fall convocation Wednesday morning.
The 38th annual Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education winner, Shannon Lyon, holding her plaque, is flaked by her husband Charles, at left, and mother Chris Farrell, to her right, followed by her brother Shawn Farrell and father Clayton Farrell. Sharon Lyons was named the recipient of the Wildermuth award Wednesday morning during the School District of Fort Atkinson’s convocation.
Two photos above: Shannon Lyon, Fort Atkinson High School’s agriculture teacher and FFA adviser, at top, offers remarks during the School District of Fort Atkinson’s convocation Wednesday. During the program, Lyons was named this year’s Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education recipient. During the presentation, Lyons was offered a hug by Director of Instruction Amy Oakley, above, at right, who presented her with the award.
Chris Spangler photos.
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