Engaged in Excellence Awards

The 9th Annual Engaged in Excellence Awards will be held on Monday, May 6, 2024!

This annual event is an opportunity to recognize staff and community excellence across our district, and celebrate our retirees. Golden Apples will be presented to recognize Elmbrook staff, alumni and community partners. The event will be held at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center and live-streamed simultaneously to the Elmbrook Schools YouTube channel.

Nominations are open February 1-11 - all nominations will be considered for the Engaged in Excellence Awards & the Elmbrook Education Foundation's Thank You Thursday's (sponsored by The Corners of Brookfield).

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See All of Our 2024 Finalists Here!

Outstanding Community Partners

Click Here for Category Descriptions
Previous Award Recipients

Click Here for Category Descriptions

Excellence in Teaching - Elementary
This teacher builds positive and impactful student and family relationships leading to success in the classroom. They are professional and prepared for each day, respected by peers and colleagues, model strong teaching and learning practices, and inspire students to pursue excellence.

Excellence in Teaching - Middle School
This teacher builds positive and impactful student and family relationships leading to success in the classroom. They are professional and prepared for each day, respected by peers and colleagues, model strong teaching and learning practices, and inspire students to pursue excellence.

Excellence in Teaching - High School
This teacher builds positive and impactful student and family relationships leading to success in the classroom. They are professional and prepared for each day, respected by peers and colleagues, model strong teaching and learning practices, and inspire students to pursue excellence.

Excellence in Teaching - New Educator (First 5 Years of Teaching)
This teacher is new to the teaching profession in the past five years and builds positive and impactful student and family relationships leading to success in the classroom. They are professional and prepared for each day, respected by one’s peers and colleagues, model strong teaching and learning practices, and inspire students to pursue excellence.

Excellence in Student Services
This Psychologist, Social Worker, School Counselor, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Speech Pathologist, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Teacher, or Vision-Impaired Teacher displays excellence in their work by meeting the needs of all students and families, as well as developing the skills, knowledge and dispositions of staff.

Excellence in Substitute Teaching
This individual sets high expectations for students, regardless of the circumstance. They are creative, engaging, dependable, and motivated to insure that every day of school is an opportunity for students to learn and grow.

Excellence in Teaching Support (Teaching Assts)
Often working behind the scenes, this individual supports the needs of all students and builds students’ skills and knowledge with care and support. They are a strong communicator, passionate about their work and take pride in the progress made by their students.

Excellence in Service and Support (Support, Service Positions)
This individual is a model for servicing students, staff, families or the greater Elmbrook community. They build strong relationships, are deeply knowledgeable in their work and the District, communicate effectively, and inspire others through their commitment to service and professionalism.

Excellence in Teamwork
Excellence in teamwork represents the ability to work collaboratively and positively impact students, staff and the organizational culture. Team members inspire their peers through their commitment towards a common purpose and collective goal.

Excellence in Leadership
This Administrator, Teaching and Learning Specialist, or Coordinator is a visionary leader that inspires others to pursue excellence. They are a strong communicator, build capacity in others, and work with integrity and professionalism while creating opportunity and pathways for all students.

Excellence in Transportation
This bus driver or District transportation professional sets high expectations for their vehicle and the students they transport in that space. Their work promotes safety, and they are creative, engaging, dependable, and motivated to insure that every day of school is an opportunity for students to learn and grow.

Excellence in a Community Partnership
This partner has demonstrated significant commitment to one or more of our schools or our school district. The partner’s support may include some or all of the following; contributions of time (volunteer), services, expertise, product, or monetary donations. This partner seeks new ways to meet the needs of our students, staff and schools, and has expanded its relationship with the District over time.

Excellence in Coaching or Advising
This coach or advisor leads any school-sponsored club, sport or activity at any grade level. They promote strong student participation and leadership, demonstrate commitment, and contribute to a positive school climate and culture. This coach or advisor has inspired significant improvement or excellence recognized at the local, regional, state or national level.

Alumni Excellence Award
These graduates (one for Brookfield Central and one for Brookfield East) have achieved a high level of success in their chosen professions and/or in their service to the community. Their achievements over a period of time reflect the quality of their high school education. This award is determined by the Selection Committee based on entrees to our Alumni Spotlight series. To suggest a graduate to feature in the series, please click here.

Previous Award Recipients

2016

Excellence in Leadership: Tanya Fredrich
Teaching Excellence by an Elementary Teacher: Kristin Davis
Teaching Excellence by a Secondary Teacher: Margaret Ordinans
Excellence by a Team: Emily High, Christie Johnson, Katie Kass
Excellence in Teaching Support: Sheryl Danielson
Excellence by a Newcomer: Candace Wittrock
Customer Service Excellence: Michelle McKenna
Excellence in Coaching: Erin Kokta
Excellence in Substitute Teaching: Kurt Leapley
Excellence in Volunteering: Patrick Griffin
Alumni Award of Excellence: Richard Rebholz
Community Partner Excellence: Eppstein Uhen Architects

2017

Excellence in Leadership: Kay Benning
Teaching Excellence by an Elementary Teacher: Laura Schubert
Teaching Excellence by a Middle School Teacher: Cecelia Carse
Teaching Excellence by a Secondary Teacher: Mike Mohammad
Excellence by a Team: Project STRIVE
Excellence in Teaching Support: Kristy Harder
Excellence by a Newcomer: Jena Berg
Excellence in Service & Support: Cheryl Waffenschmidt
Excellence in Coaching: Huel Sanders
Excellence in Substitute Teaching: Cindy Flynn
Excellence in Volunteering: Wendy Penney
Alumni Award of Excellence: Patty Metropulos (BC '84), David Richter (BE '87)
Community Partner Excellence: Boswell Book Company

2018

Alumni Excellence: Angela Graf (Brookfield Central Class of 1990) and Evelyn Werking (Brookfield East Class of 2011)
Excellence in Coaching or Advising: Ronn Blaha (Advisor, Key Club; Brookfield Central)
Excellence in a Community Partnership: United Heartland
Excellence in Leadership: Kristin Olson (Principal, Tonawanda Elementary)
Excellence in Service & Support: Eric Hagen (Communications Assistant, Central Office)
Excellence in Student Services: Karen Kaltenbrun (Physical Therapist, Fairview South)
Excellence in Substitute Teaching: Mitch Weber (Brookfield East)
Excellence in Teamwork: Brookfield Central Food Service Team (Kathy Brezgel, Jongdee Bounyong, Roberta Chaney, Mary Golab, Shelby Leighton, Connie Miskowski, Tonia Parkinson, Peggy Reinders, Diane Seymour & Angela Vetta)
Excellence in Teaching - Elementary: Kayla Moffatt (Special Education, Burleigh Elementary)
Excellence in Teaching - Middle School: Jennifer VanAcker (Mathematics, Pilgrim Park)
Excellence in Teaching - High School: Kari Doepke (Choir, Brookfield East)
Excellence in Teaching - New Educator: Alecia Krutz (Third Grade, Dixon Elementary)
Excellence in Teaching Support: Meredith Wafle (Kindergarten Assistant, Swanson Elementary)
Excellence in Volunteering: Spencer Mayhew (Tonawanda Elementary)

2019

• Alumni Excellence: Deanna Singh (Brookfield East Class of 1997), Tyler Galganski & Dave Hibler (Brookfield Central Class of 2003)
• Excellence in Coaching or Advising: DJ Richlen (Advisor, Chess Club; Brookfield East)
• Excellence in a Community Partnership: Elm Grove Kiwanis, Milliman
• Excellence in Leadership: Ben Westphal (Associate Principal, Brookfield East)
• Excellence in Service & Support - Individual: Christy Schmid (Executive Assistant for Teaching & Learning, Central Office)
• Excellence in Service & Support - Team: Jen Beug-Hoffman & Karen Krzyzak (Swanson Elementary Front Office)
• Excellence in Student Services: Jennie Katrichis (Psychologist, Brookfield Central)
• Excellence in Substitute Teaching: Trudie Miller (Wisconsin Hills)
• Excellence in Teaching - Elementary: Dave Peterson (Fifth Grade Burleigh Elementary)
• Excellence in Teaching - Middle School: Tom Freesmeier (Social Studies, Pilgrim Park)
• Excellence in Teaching - High School: Patrick Coffey (Social Studies, Brookfield East)
• Excellence in Teaching - New Educator: Hannah Ziesemer (First Grade, Brookfield Elementary)
• Excellence in Teaching Support: Sue Robles (Kindergarten Assistant, Tonawanda Elementary)
• Excellence in Volunteering: Joe & Stacy Coffey (Tonawanda Elementary)

2020

Excellence in Teaching - Elementary: Harry Rosa (Physical Education, Burleigh Elementary)

Excellence in Teaching - Middle School: Stacy Klein (Social Studies, Pilgrim Park)

Excellence in Teaching - High School: Dan Tess (World Languages - Latin, Brookfield Central)

Excellence in Teaching - New Educator: Sarah Morales (Second Grade, Swanson Elementary)

Excellence in Coaching or Advising: Ben Farley (Head Football Coach; Brookfield East)

Excellence in Leadership: Sarah Leatherman (Associate Principal, Wisconsin Hills)

Excellence in Service & Support - Individual: Lori Golomski (Total Employee Rewards Specialist, District Office)

Excellence in Service & Support - Team: Technology Services Team (Dan Scott, Craig Sottile, Jeff Bigler, Jean Loepfe, Jake Peterson; District Office)

Excellence in Student Services: Aimee Schneidewent (Psychologist, Brookfield East)

Excellence in Substitute Teaching: Julie Coombs (Brookfield Elementary)

Excellence in Teaching Support: Kim Zahn (Special Education Assistant, Fairview South)

Excellence in Volunteering: Ivy & Linda Smith (Dixon Elementary)

Alumni Excellence: Marc Hughes (Brookfield East Class of 1979), Chrissy Pappas (Brookfield Central Class of 2013)

2021

Excellence in Teaching - Elementary:
Jennie Nellis (Fifth Grade, Brookfield Elementary)

Excellence in Teaching - Middle School:
Mark Gimla (Social Studies, Wisconsin Hills)

Excellence in Teaching - High School:
Angela Sidebottom (Special Education, Fairview South)

Excellence in Teaching - New Educator:
Trenton Coleman (Math, Brookfield Central)

Excellence in Virtual Teaching (K-8):
Aspen Verink (Fifth Grade, Burleigh Elementary)

Excellence in Teaching Support:
Jennifer Sabinash (Special Education Assistant, Burleigh Elementary)

Excellence in Virtual Teaching Support:
Anusha Mathavaraj Ganesan (Learning Support, Tonawanda)

Excellence in Leadership:
Luke Sadowski (Principal, Dixon Elementary)

Excellence in Student Services:
Cindy Lakatos (School Counselor, Pilgrim Park)

Excellence in Service & Support:
Lisa Jennaro (Senior HR Specialist / Leave Coordinator, District Office)

Excellence in Teamwork:
COVID Tracing Team (Kathleen Adams, Kristie Attenberger, Tanya Fredrich, Lisa Jennaro, Leanna Manser, Amie Williams; District-wide)

Excellence in Coaching or Advising:
Mike Rose (Swimming & Diving Coach; Brookfield East)

Alumni Excellence:
Jill Kokta (Brookfield East Class of 1979),
Lori Golomski (Brookfield Central Class of 1981)

Excellence in Volunteering:
Medical Advisory Board (Dr. Mushir Hassan, Dr. Glen Allgaier, Dr. Michelle Mitchell, Dr. Zouyan Lu, Dr. Heather Paradis, Dr. Andrew Olaffson, Dr. Mustafa Hussein)