Greendale Board recognizes Educators Rising students and honors teacher for NCWIT award

The Greendale School Board honored students and staff at the meeting, recognizing members of Educators Rising and commending a teacher awarded for work in computer science.

Speaker 2 introduced seniors Dylan Hagedorn, Daisy Lisa, Liv Vitrano and Eva Marquez, who signed a 'pledge to prosper' that the district said guarantees a future interview for an open position if they complete teacher certification and return to the district. Julie Grodeforst (Speaker 3) summarized each student's next steps: Dylan to the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire for biology education and psychology; Daisy to UW–Eau Claire for social studies education; Eva to the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Education; and Liv to the College of Charleston for elementary education.

Students Ella Potke and Leah Roberts described chapter activities and a service project that collected 1,607 donated books for the Next Door Foundation. Speaker 2 announced that Madeline (Maddie) Madsen and Leah Roberts qualified at the state competition in children's literature and will compete at nationals in Orlando; both will serve as Wisconsin delegates at the national event.

The board also recognized Mr. John Kozicki for receiving the NCWIT Aspirations in Computing Educator Award and noted work to expand female participation in computer science classes from about 5% to 15% locally. Board members and staff encouraged the students considering teaching careers to return to Greendale.

Next steps: Students advancing to nationals will travel in June; the district will continue educator-recruitment activities tied to Educators Rising.