Engaged in Excellence Awards
The 8th Annual Engaged in Excellence Awards was held on Monday, May 1, 2023!
This annual event is an opportunity to recognize staff and community excellence across our district, and celebrate our retirees. Golden Apples were presented to recognize Elmbrook staff, alumni and community partners. The event was held at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center and live-streamed simultaneously to the Elmbrook Schools YouTube channel which can be viewed below.
2023 Golden Apple Award Winners
Excellence in Teaching - Elementary
Excellence in Teaching - High School
Excellence in Transportation
Excellence in Service & Support
Excellence in Teaching Support
Excellence in Substitute Teaching
Excellence in Teamwork
Excellence in Community Partnership
Excellence in Teaching - Middle School
Excellence in Teaching - New Educator
Excellence in Student Services
Excellence in Leadership
Excellence in Coaching or Advising
Excellence in Volunteering
Alumni Excellence
Excellence in Community Partnership
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)
2022
Excellence in Teaching - Elementary
Angela Graf (2nd Grade, Burleigh Elementary)
Excellence in Teaching - Middle School
Amanda Patino (Music, Wisconsin Hills)
Excellence in Teaching - High School
Melissa Graesser (Special Education, Brookfield East)
Excellence in Teaching - New Educator
Carolyn Kusel (Occupational Therapist, Swanson Elementary)
Excellence in Transportation
Brian Brown, Tonawanda Elementary (Route 35)
Excellence in Student Services
Jason Lippold (School Counselor, Brookfield East High School)
Excellence in Service & Support
Christy Westfall (Assistant to Superintendent, District Office)
Excellence in Teamwork
4K Team (Emily Koscielniak, Laurie Benz, Alison Ziebell, & Rebecca Wrobbel; Brookfield Elementary)
Excellence in Teaching Support
Sherri Bergren (Learning Support, Dixon Elementary)
Excellence in Leadership
Carolyn Hahn (Associate Principal, Brookfield Central High School)
Excellence in Coaching or Advising
Linda Lied (Tennis Coach, Brookfield East High School)
Excellence in Substitute Teaching
Paul Jefferies (Pilgrim Park Middle School)
Excellence in Volunteering
Amy DiPiazza (Brookfield Central High School)
Alumni Excellence Award
Damian Buchman (Brookfield East Class of 1997) & Tom Vento (Brookfield Central Class of 1986)
Excellence in a Community Partnership
Everside Health
Golden Sub Award for Going Above & Beyond
Janelle Huber (Substitute Teaching),
Dan Scott (Substitute Teaching),
Cheryl Waffenschmidt (Bus Driving)