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Leadership
page 4 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com
Brian Collins Selected as Wisconsin’s 2024 National Teacher of the Year Representative
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members. A video and photos from the ceremony Outside the classroom, Collins helped found National Teacher of the Year is selected from the
can be found on the DPI’s Facebook page. Unity’s Ojibwe Language revitalization Club, group and travels nationally and internationally
“I am so very honored to represent our state has coached football and powerlifting, and has as a spokesperson and advocate for the teaching
on the national level as Wisconsin’s National chaired the Professional Staff Development profession. For more information on the program,
Teacher of the Year representative,” Collins said. Committee. He continues his passion for birds visit the CCSSO’s website.
“Good teaching and learning ultimately comes and photography every summer as a contract
from trust, teamwork, and a sense of safety as we biologist working all over Wisconsin for the Wis-
build strong relationships in the classroom and consin Department of Natural resources, which
across the school community. I love seeing edu- he shares in his classroom. www.unity.k12.wi.us
cation at work in the quality of a person’s life and As Wisconsin’s National Teacher of the Year
in the strength of the community. I am eager and representative, Collins will participate alongside
excited to serve as our state’s representative, both other state representatives in various professional
as a teacher and as a lifelong learner.” learning opportunities provided by the CCSSO. A
another Round of applause to These four Exceptional Educators
In addition to Unity School District’s
Brian Collins, four other educators were
selected as 2024 Wisconsin Teachers of the
Year. Congratulations to these teachers!
Katelyn Winkel-Simmerman
Mathematics teacher at
Cedar Grove-Belgium Middle School
Cedar Grove-Belgium School District
Saghar Homayounpour Winkel-Simmerman has taught math at
Computer science teacher, Cedar Grove-Belgium Middle School for over
New Berlin West High School six years. By building relationships with stu-
School District of New Berlin dents, she successfully finds innovative ways
to reach and teach all students and help them
Homayounpour has grown West’s com- learn and grow as individuals.
puter science program to serve more than Claudia Heller de Messer Rachel Kumferman As the advisor for the school’s Student
200 students annually, exposing students and English as a second language teacher at School social worker at Council and a variety of committees, she
developing their skills in this continually Milwaukee Parkside School for the Arts McKinley Elementary School works with students to plan events and
evolving field. She also founded the school’s Milwaukee Public Schools Wauwatosa School District provide meaningful opportunities beyond the
successful CyberPatriot Club and is a mentor classroom, which have a positive effect on the
teacher who supports novice computer science An ESL specialist, Heller de Messer Kumferman has worked for the Wau- school and community.
teachers with one-on-one support as they works with 110 English learners at Parkside watosa School District for 22 years and has She said her nomination let her reflect on
begin their teaching experience. who, altogether, speak 19 languages (includ- served as the District’s McKinney-Vento her career as a classroom teacher and special-
“Saghar is an instructor who, when stu- ing English) and live in 10 ZIP codes across Homeless Liaison since 2011. Kumferman has ist, and “determine the learning that I need to
dents have had the opportunity to work with Milwaukee. The languages spoken include deep expertise in social work and counseling, do going forward. receiving this recognition
her, they respect, understand, and grow with Burmese, French, Karen, the Somali dialect of but also contributes her talents to the school makes me feel appreciated for the work I have
her passion for her subject and for learning in Maay Maay, Pashto, rohingya, Spanish, and crisis team and equity team, and she serves as done and inspired to continue it.”
general,” New Berlin West principal Michael Swahili. Many of her students and their fami- a PBIS (positive behavior interventions and
Fesenmaier said. “Saghar thrives on chal- lies are recent immigrants or refugees, some supports) Tier Two coach, and much more.
lenge, willingly seeking what is necessary of whom have been raised in refugee camps. “My driving force has always been pre-
to grow and succeed, consistently taking the “I love working with newcomers who are vention, and to help break down barriers so
path that is best for her students and learning. so determined to learn English. It’s just such kids can learn,” said Kumferman at her sur-
She knows this comes through hard work and a rewarding job, too,” Heller de Messer said. prise ceremony. “I’m sure I’ll break down a
willingly engages with the task of continual “Everybody learns it. It’s just a matter of time. little bit later and have a lot of tears, but they
growth for all.” I get to reap some beautiful benefits [from are tears of gratitude. I mean, just seeing all
watching their growth].” the kids, seeing all the staff.”
Seeing and feeling that love, Kumferman
said, serves as a reminder of why she goes to
work every day: “Kids are my passion, always
have been, and being in an elementary school.”