On Monday, May 4, Elmbrook Schools held the 11th Annual Engaged in Excellence Awards Red Carpet Gala at the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, sponsored by the Elmbrook Education Foundation. The event celebrated numerous individual and team finalists, alumni that have given back to the District through their work, 2025-26 retirees, and community partner honorees, among others. A recording of the event is available to view here.

The evening was a mix of sincerity, comedy, and appreciation, and included an emotional tribute to Elmbrook retirees, a reality show ‘presenter bootcamp’ skit with Principal Matt Schroeder, live skits, and a surprise award for high school Principals Brett Gruetzmacher and Andy Farley.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Engaged in Excellence Awards and all of our incredible finalists!

• Excellence in Teaching - Elementary: Amy Jacobson (Art, Dixon)
• Excellence in Teaching - Middle School: Lauren Adams (Math, PPMS)
• Excellence in Teaching - High School: Patrick Perez (English, LAUNCH)
• Excellence in Teaching - New Educator: Mara Tetzlaff (5th Grade, Tonawanda)
• Excellence in Transportation: Jazmine Wright (Burleigh, PPMS, BEHS)
• Excellence in Student Services: Maycie Wiernik (Nurse, District)
• Excellence in Service & Support: Kayla Simpson (Student Services Administrative Assistant, WHMS)
• Excellence in Teamwork: LAUNCH Future Teachers (Nicole Augustin, Lisa Farley) - BEHS
• Excellence in Leadership: Lindy DesJarlais (Associate Principal, Swanson)
• Excellence in Leadership: Andy Farley (Principal, BEHS)
• Excellence in Leadership: Brett Gruetzmacher (Principal, BCHS)
• Excellence in Operations: Michael Litschauer (Lead Custodian, BCHS)
• Excellence in Teaching Support: Kanchana Senthilmurugan (Special Education Assistant, Brookfield Elementary)
• Excellence in Coaching or Advising: Daniel Makal (Boys & Girls Soccer, BCHS)
• Excellence in Substitute Teaching: Lindsay Vinciguerra (Burleigh)
• Excellence in Volunteering: Deb Nustad (Intergenerational Reading Program - EEF)
• Excellence in a Community Partnership: Discovery Commons Brookfield, & The City of Brookfield Senior Center
• Excellence in Service to the Community (Elmbrook Rotary Outstanding Educator): Alli Hickmann (BCHS Choir Director)
• Alumni Excellence Awards:

Brookfield Central

• Ilse Frayer (BCHS Class of 1989) - Library Instructional Technical Lead at BCHS
• Jen Beug-Hoffman (BCHS Class of 1990) - Administrative Assistant at Swanson Elementary
• Matt “Sammy” Smanski (BCHS Class of 2006) - Custodian at BCHS
• Connor Dunn (BCHS Class of 2015) - Theatre Technical Production Lead at BCHS & District-wide

Brookfield East

• Eileen Zingale (BEHS Class of 1985) - Staffing Budget Coordinator at District Office
• Carrie Bronson (BEHS Class of 1990) - Kindergarten Assistant at Burleigh Elementary
• Kim Zahn (BEHS Class of 2006) - Groundskeeper at Elmbrook Schools
• Megan Oliver (BEHS Class of 2020) - Food Service Team Member at BEHS

View photos of the winners and from the event below.