Great News At Westside Elementary

(Relatively new) Principal Rick Mueller has brought some great things to Westside elementary.  Now one of his staff has received recognition for her efforts.  Well done, Westside!  Congrats, Mrs. Herman!

District e-News to Key Communicators:
Marsha Herman Named Wisconsin Elementary Teacher of the YearWestside Elementary School is beaming with pride as first grade teacher Marsha Herman was named Wisconsin’s Elementary Teacher of the Year!  The announcement was made today by State Superintendent Tony Evers at a special all-school assembly at Westside Elementary.

The presentation of the award was a surprise for Mrs. Herman as well as Westside students and staff who were told the assembly would focus on the school’s PBIS program as they started the new school year.

“It is great to see Marsha’s hard work and experience recognized with an award of this magnitude,” said Westside Elementary Principal Rick Mueller.  “Marsha is an excellent example of the highly qualified teachers and staff at Westside and throughout the Sun Prairie Area School District who go above and beyond for students every day.”

Marsha Herman received the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship Award for 2011.  Herb Kohl Fellowship Award Recipients are then considered for the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Awards.  Fellowship recipients are chosen for their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, their ability to motivate others, and for their leadership and service within and outside the classroom. One hundred teachers were awarded the Herb Kohl Foundation Fellowship Award in 2011.  Of those, four will be named Wisconsin Teacher of the Year – one at each level, including Elementary School, Middle School, High School, and Special Services. Mrs. Herman is the Elementary School Teacher of the Year for 2011-2012.

Marsha Herman has taught at Westside Elementary School since she began working in the Sun Prairie Area School District in the fall of 1991.  She has taught both kindergarten and first grade at Westside.  Before coming to Sun Prairie, Mrs. Herman taught for 10 years in other Wisconsin school districts.

In 2009, Mrs. Herman became a National Board Certified Teacher.  National Board Certification is a prestigious teaching credential.  Teachers who achieve National Board Certification have met rigorous standards through intensive study, expert evaluation, self-assessment and peer review. The process can take up to three years to complete.  In 2010, Mrs. Herman completed her Master Educator License.

As part of the honor of being named Middle School Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Herman will receive a $3,000 award from U. S. Senator Herb Kohl, through the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.

Congratulations to Mrs. Marsha Herman on this much deserved honor!