The School District of Fort Atkinson Thursday held its annual convocation event at Fort Atkinson High School.
Each year, the recipients of the Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education and the Support Staff of the Year Award are named.
New teachers and staff members were also recognized during the event.
According to information released by the district, the 2021-22 Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education recipient is Fort Atkinson High School English teacher Dan Hansen and the 2021-22 Support Staff of the Year Award recipient is special education aide Krissy Weidenfeller.
Hansen was among 15 staff members nominated for the Wildermuth award while 27 staff members, including Weidenfeller, were nominated for the Support Staff of the Year Award.
About the Wildermuth Award
Information released by the district stated that 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, media specialist, school counselor, school social worker, school psychologist or other certified staff member.
Sponsored by the Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, the School District of Fort Atkinson, and the Fort Atkinson Education Association, the Wildermuth Award is given in memory of Ron Wildermuth, a former director of instruction.
The annual award is presented each fall at the staff convocation program as requested by Wildermuth’s family, who cited as reason Wildermuth’s involvement with the orientation program annually, the release stated.
Throughout the spring, students, families and staff are encouraged to nominate 1Fort team members who have made a difference in their educational journey. The nominees are then judged by a group of 1Fort team members from all levels and specialties, the release noted.
Wildermuth Award nominees
Nominees for the Wildermuth Award this year included: Denise Engstrom, third-grade teacher, Barrie Elementary; Cynthia Young, 4K special education teacher, Purdy Elementary; Carissa Koehler, second-grade teacher, Barrie Elementary; Annette Hoye, first-grade teacher, Purdy Elementary; Abigail McCallum, math teacher, Fort Atkinson High School; Jennifer Soehner, district literacy intervention specialist; Nicole Schafer, kindergarten teacher, Rockwell Elementary; Shawna Loniello, first-grade teacher, Purdy Elementary; Annie Loof, speech pathologist, Luther Elementary; Michelle Brown, speech pathologist, Purdy Elementary; Megan Agnew, science teacher, Fort Atkinson Middle School; Julie Recob, fifth-grade teacher, Barrie Elementary; Ashley Stewart, school counselor, Purdy Elementary, and Kelly Ramirez, reading specialist, Barrie Elementary.
Support Staff of the Year nominees
Nominees this year for the Support Staff of the Year award included: Rachel Allard, administrative assistant director of instruction, Luther administration;
Barb Athas, paraprofessional, Barrie Elementary; Ashley Barr, paraprofessional, Barrie Elementary; Lindsay Blakey, special education aide, Rockwell Elementary; Sue Brown, paraprofessional, Rockwell Elementary; Jamie Connell, payroll specialist, Luther administration; Miranda Cottrell, administrative assistant, athletics, Fort Atkinson High School; Sue Duester, paraprofessional, Purdy Elementary; Melanie Dunkleberger, administrative assistant, Luther Elementary; Cynthia Fisenec, paraprofessional, Gifted and Talented program learning aide, Fort Atkinson Middle School; Laurie Gilson, administrative assistant, student services, Fort Atkinson High School; Kris Hofer, paraprofessional, Purdy Elementary; Kelly Knickrehm, paraprofessional, Barrie Elementary; Jamie Knutson, administrative assistant, Fort Atkinson High School; Judy McDonald, administrative assistant, Purdy Elementary; Amanda Moehling, administrative assistant, buildings and grounds, IT, food services, Luther administration; Jessica Penfield-Cruz, English Language aide, Fort Atkinson High School; Peggy Polk, administrative assistant, student services, Fort Atkinson Middle School; Maribel Reu, paraprofessional, Luther Elementary; Annie Sawyer, paraprofessional, Barrie Elementary; Marilyn Smith, paraprofessional, Luther Elementary; Stephanie St. Onge-Head, custodian, Barrie Elementary; Kellie Todd, paraprofessional, Rockwell Elementary; Laura Waugh, special education aide, Fort Atkinson Middle School; Ashley Wendt, paraprofessional, Luther Elementary, and Alexa Wiese, administrative Assistant, data assessment, Luther administration.
The convocation program
According to information released by the district, all district staff were invited to the convocation for a morning of “learning, connecting and fun.”
During the event, staff members were treated to a breakfast prepared by the district’s nutrition department and coffee from Beauty and the Bean.
Staff next assembled in the high school auditorium for a program which included a presentation by district Superintendent Rob Abbott, who talked about this year’s staff professional development theme of “connecting.”
The presentation included several development activities for staff members, and music played by Altar Boy Picnic. School District of Fort Atkinson Director of Technology DJ Scullin is a member of the band, the release noted.
Announcing Hansen as the Wildermuth recipient, Fort Atkinson Middle School Principal Matt Wolf said: “The winner of the 2021-22 Wildermuth Award wears several hats within our district, and truly enjoys the art of teaching. This person is committed to confronting issues of sportsmanship and equity, not just at Fort Schools, but also at the state and national levels. As one of the nominations read, ‘he wants his students to win, but so much more than that, he wants them to learn, grow and achieve as much as possible as people.’”
Joining Hansen on stage to receive his award were his co-debate coach and wife, Becky, and son, Josh Tidberg.
Announcing Weidenfeller as the Support Staff Award recipient, Director of Pupil Services and Special Education Lisa Hollenberger said: “This year’s recipient is described as a true professional who prioritizes students first and cares for every student. They are always willing to do whatever is needed to help a student be successful. As noted in the nomination letter, this year’s recipient ‘is not just a part of the school district, they are a part of my child’s life, a treasure to me and my entire family.’”
Joining Weidenfeller on stage to receive the award were her husband, Tim, daughter Marissa and longtime student Bryan Trader.
Looking at the full field of nominees, she said they were recognized from every department and building in the district, adding: “A year that looked like it was going to be filled with all things familiar and known, ended up being a year of new learning around just about every system that once existed. It became less about going above and beyond and more about embracing change and excelling at doing things differently.”
She congratulated all the nominees, recognizing them for embracing change and “rolling with the punches.”
New teachers and staff
During the convocation, new teachers and staff members were introduced.
Director of Human Resources Mandy Harper said: “I believe their past experiences and future contributions will be instrumental in our efforts to move 1Fort forward in achieving our new and exciting district goals.”
New hires to the district include:
At Barrie Elementary: Kimmy Jaquint, behavior interventionist, and Lyndsay Scheibel, fourth-grade Teacher.
At Purdy Elementary: Keri Adelmeyer, fourth-grade teacher; Molly Bare, behavior interventionist; Mary Kilar, Principal, and Chelsey Resler, early childhood teacher.
At Rockwell Elementary: Michelle Blau, reading interventionist.
At Fort Atkinson Middle school: Mitchell Al-Ubaidi, vocal music teacher; Jim LeMire, social studies teacher, and Erin Springstroh, Spanish teacher.
At Fort Atkinson High School: Steve Fietz, tech ed teacher; Todd Heritage, tech ed teacher; Erica Kaphengst, math teacher; Madison Minks, math teacher; Jessica Penfield-Cruz, Spanish teacher; Joshua Schenck, English teacher; Melissa Steffen, math teacher; Mike Stricker, tech ed teacher; Britany Vils, science teacher; Christine Wesling, family and consumer education teacher, and Jenna Zangl, school social worker.
Fort Atkinson High School English teacher Dan Hansen is the 2021-22 recipient of the Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education. Joining him in celebration are his son, Josh Tidberg, at left, and his co-debate coach and wife, Becky.
School District of Fort Atkinson special education aide Krissy Weidenfeller, pictured second from left, is the 2021-22 recipient of the Support Staff of the Year award. Joining her in celebration are her husband, Tim, daughter Marissa and longtime student Bryan Trader.
School District of Fort Atkinson Superintendent Rob Abbott, at left, addresses staff during a convocation held Thursday.
A group of new staff members gather during convocation Thursday for a group picture.
Contributed photos.
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I am Ronald Wildermuth’s son. It would be interesting to be invited to the award ceremony sometime in the future. A photo of my father is engraved on the original award I believe.