Temperly named Wildermuth Award of Excellence recipient

By Chris Spangler

A woman whose dedicated efforts have greatly impacted the guidance programs at Fort Atkinson’s elementary and middle schools has been honored by the School District of Fort Atkinson.

Jean Temperly, Fort Atkinson Middle School guidance counselor, was presented the 36^th annual Wildermuth Award for Excellence in Education during the district’s convocation at Fort Atkinson High School Thursday morning.

About 400 employees attended the event as the district kicked off the 2021-22 school year.

Funded by the board of education, Fort Atkinson Education Association and Fort Atkinson Community Foundation, 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.

Fort Atkinson Middle School principal Matt Wolf 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 this award considering Ron’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,” Wolf said. “The recipient of the award may be a teacher, media specialist, guidance counselor, school social worker, school psychologist or another certified staff member.”

Wolf shared comments from Temperly’s colleagues about why she is so deserving of this award.

“Jean’s career impact can be seen throughout the district,” one nominator wrote. “As the first elementary school counselor in the district, she helped to shape the program that we have today.

“She has served on many district committees, where she is always an advocate for student wellness. She has been an important part of the middle school’s Pupil Services Department, and is willing to do whatever it takes to help shape our school environment into the best possible place for our students. 

“Throughout her career, she started and facilitated many student assistant groups and clubs that allow all students in our school to feel supported and an integral part of our learning community,” the nominator added.

Another nominator said, “Jean has a gentle, welcoming personality which makes kids, as well as staff and parents, immediately feel comfortable around her. She expertly helps students reflect on their actions and choices and then guides them along a path of independence. 

“There’s never a hint of judgement or disapproval from her, no matter what students speak to her about. There are hundreds of students who are in a better place in life right now because of Jean,” the nominator concluded.

Temperly received an engraved plaque and a check for $1,000. The Fort Atkinson Community Foundation contributed $500 toward the award and the board of education and Fort Atkinson Education Association each provided $250. 

Accepting the award to a standing ovation, a surprised Temperly thanked her “first school families at Rockwell and Barrie,” her current school family at the middle school and her family at home, who joined her on stage.

Also during the presentation, Wolf  saluted the remaining educators who were nominated for the honor.

“There were many fantastic educators this year who were nominated for the outstanding contribution that they have brought to our school district and its students,” Wolf said.

In addition to Temperly, the award nominees included: Susie Belzer, art teacher at Rockwell Elementary School; Bill Callaway, orchestra teacher, Fort Atkinson Middle School and Fort Atkinson High School; Cathy Daly, IMC director at Purdy; Erin Ehler, special education teacher, high school; Pam Gustin, second-grade teacher at Purdy Elementary School; Sara Karnatz, math teacher at the middle school; Jade Korth, fourth-grade teacher at Luther  Elementary School; Julie Kusel, special education at Purdy; Ambyr Lemke, third-grade teacher at Rockwell; Heather O’Neill, speech teacher at the middle school.

Also, Nate Pyka, special education teacher at the high school; Candice Sayre, literacy coordinator for the School District of Fort Atkinson; Amy Schuldt, kindergarten teacher at Rockwell; Rebecca Tenhoor, occupational therapist at Rockwell; Sonja Twedt, math interventionist and coach at the middle school; and Katie Upthall, guidance counselor at the high school. 

For more information on each of the nominees for the Wildermuth Award, as well as for the Support Staff Award for Excellence (see related story), visit https://fortatkinsononline.com/wildermuth-award-award-for-excellence-in-education-nominees-announced/ and https://fortatkinsononline.com/wildermuth-award-support-staff-award-for-excellence-in-education-part-2/.