May 4, 2020 – West Bend, WI – The 49th Annual Rolfs Educational Foundation Awards were distributed this week. The awards honor exceptional teachers from elementary school, middle school, high school, and special services educators. Each year receives $1,000 each are given to teachers in each of the four categories:
Winners include:
West Bend East social studies teacher Scott Mindel,
Mindel is a well-known asset to the social studies department at West Bend East High School. His professionalism is matched by his ability to build relationships with students and colleagues. Mindel has taught Global Studies for 25 years. Outside the classroom, Mindel has led educational tours to Washington D.C and New York City, co-advises the East National Honor Society and is a track coach for the East Suns. Mindel’s public commitment includes gathering pictures and information from almost 2,000 veterans and highlighting them in a Veterans Tribute video. Mindel took his passion project one step further this year by coordinating a school-wide lesson plan for Veteran’s Day. Through the lesson, he started an open dialogue for teachers and students focused on service and patriotism.
Sixth grade Silverbrook teacher Aaron Spaeth,,
Aaron Spaeth, Grade 6, Silverbrook Aaron Spaeth is a dedicated, hard-working educator. He is enthusiastic in encouraging the love of reading and is always looking for ways to appeal to even the most resistant reader. Aaron brings in a variety of books, as well as strategies to best reach each student. Consistently year after year his student growth and achievement are high, this is in large part to his commitment to using best practices and individualizing instruction for students to reach them where they are. He has been part of the building leadership team where he has developed ELA action steps, facilitated professional development, and
helped set the direction for the building. Aaron is easy to work with and his co-workers can count on him for level-headed suggestions.
Melissa Foss is a counselor at Decorah Elementary School. Foss is the fabric of Decorah School. She is an advocate for her students and fully believes the important role a parent plays is in the success of their child. Foss attends numerous professional development opportunities about trauma sensitive schools, social emotional learning, and positive behavior.
Foss is often the go-to for district administration and other staff to move the school counseling program forward. She is supportive of teacher’s needs whether it is attending parent conferences, checking in with a student, or teaming up for a lesson or unit to address a need occurring in the classroom.
The criteria for teachers to win the award include completing at least three years of employment under contract with the district and the recipient hasn’t been recognized received the award within the past two years. Nominations can be submitted by self, peers, administration, students in grades 5-12, parents, and community members.
A final recipient will be honored May 7. Award recipients are chosen by winners from previous years.