Press Releases · Kohl

Herb Kohl

Educational Foundation, Inc

Press Releases

Herb Kohl Foundation Press Release Announcing 2023 Award Recipients

Friday, March 31, 2023

MILWAUKEE — The Herb Kohl Education Foundation today announced 306 Wisconsin students, teachers, and administrators are the recipients of the organization’s 2023 Student Excellence and Initiative, Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership awards. Student Excellence and Initiative Scholarships of $10,000 will be awarded to 190 graduating high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence and have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership in their community. Teacher Fellowship awards of $6,000 will be presented to 100 teachers who were nominated for their leadership and service in and outside the classroom, their ability to inspire a love of learning and to motivate their students. Principal Leadership awards of $6,000 will be given to 16 principals for setting high standards for instruction, achievement and character, and creating a climate to best serve students, families, staff and community. “Education is the key to the future of Wisconsin and our nation,” former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl said. “These student, teacher, and principal award recipients have demonstrated incredible hard work, achievements, and service. I congratulate them all and hope this award not only helps them in their individual pursuits but also reminds them to pay it forward in the future.” Award recipients are selected by a statewide committee composed of civic leaders and representatives of education-related associations and the program’s co-sponsors: The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA), the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and the Wisconsin Homeschooling Parents Association. The Kohl Foundation award program was established by Herb Kohl, former U.S. Senator, philanthropist, and businessman. Since 1990, the foundation has awarded nearly $34 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students, and schools. Click on Download File to see complete list of recipients

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High School biology teacher named Wisconsin's National Teacher of the Year representative

Monday, August 22, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced the state's representative to the National Teacher of the Year Program is Lori Danz, a biology teacher at Superior High School and the school forest coordinator for the district. Danz will receive a $6,000 grant from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. For more information, click on Download File.

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Five Public School Educators Selected as 2023 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year

Monday, May 16, 2022

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has announced the selection of five educators from across the state as 2023 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year. Each will receive a $3,000 grant from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. They are Kaelee Heideman, Oshkosh Area School District; Sarah Kopplin, Shorewood School District; Lori Danz, School District of Superior; Peggy Billing, Lakeland Union High School District; and Dustin Anderson, Wisconsin Rapids Public Schools. Click on Download File for more information.

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Herb Kohl Foundation Announces 2022 Award Recipients

Wednesday, April 6, 2022

Today the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation announced the recipients of 2022 Wisconsin student, teacher, and principal awards. 174 students will receive $10,000 scholarships, 117 teachers and principals will receive $6,000 grants, and their schools will receive matching grants. Click Download File for details and the full list of award recipients. Congratulations to all!

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Wisconsin Public School Teacher to Participate in National Competition

Friday, September 3, 2021

Kabby Hong, an English Teacher at Verona High School and recipient of a 2021 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Fellowship, has been selected to represent Wisconsin in the national 2022 Teacher of the Year competition and will receive $6,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation . A National Teacher of the Year is selected from all state representatives and travels nationally and internationally as a spokesperson and advocate for the teaching profession. For more information, click on Download File.

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Five Herb Kohl Educators Selected as 2022 Wisconsin Public School Teachers of the Year

Monday, May 17, 2021

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction has announced that five distinguished educators from across the state have been named the 2022 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year. The honorees are among the 101 educators recognized earlier this year by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation and each will receive a $3,000 unrestricted grant from the foundation.

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Herb Kohl Foundation Press Release Announcing 2021 Award Recipients

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

MILWAUKEE — The selection committee for the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Student Scholarship, Teacher Fellowship and Principal Leadership program has announced recipients of the 317 Herb Kohl Foundation awards for Wisconsin students, teachers and principals. Awards in the amount of $6,000 are being made to 101 teachers, 16 principals, and their schools, and $10,000 scholarships will be given to 200 graduating high school students. Excellence Scholarship recipients have demonstrated excellence in the academic arena and high motivation to achieve, have displayed a broad range of activity and leadership outside the academic setting, and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond. Fellowship recipients are educators who have been chosen for their superior ability to inspire a love of learning in their students, their ability to motivate others, and their leadership and service within and outside the classroom. Leadership Award recipients are school principals who are being recognized for setting high standards for instruction, achievement and character, and creating a climate to best serve students, families, staff and community. Excellence Scholarship, Fellowship and Leadership Award recipients are selected by a statewide committee composed of civic leaders, and representatives of education-related associations and the program’s co-sponsors: The Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools (WCRIS), regional Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA), the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and the Wisconsin Homeschool Parents Association. Initiative Scholarship recipients, chosen by their schools, have demonstrated exceptional initiative in the classroom and have shown strong promise for succeeding in college and beyond, but have not yet received other academic-based scholarships. "We are thrilled that during such a tumultuous time in education, Wisconsin’s students, teachers, principals and schools are recognized for their devotion to education and learning”, said Dr. Chris Cody, WCRIS board president. The Kohl Foundation Scholarship and Fellowship program was established by Herb Kohl, philanthropist and businessman, in 1990. Since then the foundation has awarded nearly $25 million to Wisconsin educators, principals, students and schools. “Education is the key to the future of Wisconsin and our nation. I am very proud of the accomplishments of these students, teachers, and principals and look forward to the great contributions they will make in the future”, Kohl said. Click on Download File for the complete list of award recipients.

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Herb Kohl Philanthropies Funds Wisconsin Education Project Requests on DonorsChoose

Friday, February 12, 2021

This Valentine's Day, Herb Kohl Philanthropies is showing love to teachers by once again funding all Wisconsin project requests on the nonprofit education funding site DonorsChoose. Click on Download File for the full press release.

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Five Herb Kohl Educators Selected as 2021 Wisconsin Public School Teachers of the Year

Thursday, August 27, 2020

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Carolyn Stanford Taylor today recognized five exemplary Wisconsin educators for being named the 2021 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year. The Teachers of the Year are among the 86 public school educators recognized earlier this year by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. The foundation will provide a $3,000 personal award to each of those selected. The Teachers of the Year are Koren Jackson, Milwaukee Transition High School; Trisha Kilpin, Greendale School District; Brooke Kintzle (nee Lederman), Brodhead Middle School; Derrick Meyer, Amery High School; and Susan Richardson, Milwaukee German Immersion School. Click on download file for the full press release.

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Herb Kohl Foundation Announces 2020 Award Recipients

Friday, February 14, 2020

The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation has announced recipients of 2020 Wisconsin student Excellence and Initiative scholarships, teacher Fellowships, and principal Leadership Awards. Each student will receive a $10,000 scholarship, and each teacher and principal will receive a $6,000 award. A matching $6,000 award will be given to each teacher's and principal's school. One hundred ninety-six student scholarships, 100 teacher fellowships, and 16 principal leadership awards have been announced. Click on download file for the full list of recipients. Congratulations to all!

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Catherine Burnett named Private School Teacher of the Year

Friday, May 10, 2019

On May 10 Catherine Burnett, Art Department Chair for Pius XI Catholic High School in Milwaukee, was named 2019 Private School Teacher of the Year. Ms. Burnett has been awarded a $3,000 grant by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation in recognition of her accomplishments. For details, click on Download File.

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Chelsea Miller named 2020 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Thursday, May 9, 2019

In a surprise ceremony on May 9, Chelsea Miller of Jefferson, WI, an art teacher at Sullivan and West elementary schools in the Jefferson School District, was named Wisconsin's 2020 Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Ms. Miller received a $3,000 grant from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation in recognition of her accomplishment. To see the full press release, click on Download File.

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Chad Sperzel-Wuchterl named 2020 High School Teacher of the Year

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

In a surprise ceremony on May 8, Chad Sperzel-Wuchterl of Milwaukee, an art teacher at Reagan High School, a Milwaukee public school, was named Wisconsin's 2020 High School Teacher of the Year. Sperzel-Wuchterl received a $3,000 grant from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation in recognition of his accomplishment. For the press release, click on Download File.

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Erin McCarthy named 2020 Middle School Teacher of the Year

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

In a surprise ceremony at her school on May 8, Erin McCarthy of Milwaukee, an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Greendale Middle School, was named the 2020 Middle School Teacher of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Ms. McCarthy received a grant of $3,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation in recognition of her accomplishment. To view the press release, click on Download File.

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Bawaajigekwe Andrea DeBungie named 2020 Special Services Teacher of the Year

Tuesday, May 7, 2019

In a surprise ceremony on May 6, Bawaajigekwe Andrea DeBungie of Washburn, a special education teacher at Ashland Middle and Lake Superior Elementary schools in the Ashland School District, was named Wisconsin's 2020 Special Services Teacher of the Year. Ms. DeBungie will receive a $3,000 grant from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation in recognition of her accomplishment. For the full news release click on Download File.

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Herb Kohl 2019 Award Recipients Announced

Monday, March 4, 2019

Recipients of 2019 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation student scholarships, teacher fellowships and principal leadership awards have been notified of their selection. Each student will receive a $10,000 college scholarship, and each teacher and principal will receive a $6,000 personal grant and a $6,000 matching grant for the award recipient's school. More information, including the list of award recipients and banquets at which they will be honored, is available by clicking Download File.

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Herb Kohl Provides Valentine's Day Gift for Wisconsin Classrooms and Students

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Herb Kohl celebrated the hard work and important contributions of Wisconsin public school teachers by funding all project requests (one per teacher) on the education crowd funding site DonorsChoose.org. Download the file for details.

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Benjamin Grignon named a 2019 High School Teacher of the Year

Monday, May 14, 2018

In a surprise ceremony at his school, Benjamin Grignon, teacher of traditional Menominee crafts at Menominee High School in Keshena, was named a Wisconsin 2019 High School Teacher of the Year. Download the file for details.

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Five Educators Named Named Public School Teachers of the Year

Monday, May 14, 2018

This year, five educators have been chosen to represent Wisconsin's public school teaching corps as Teachers of the Year. Each will receive $3,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tony Evers, notified each of the teachers of the honor during surprise announcements in their school districts.

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Liz Gulden named 2019 Elementary Teacher of the Year

Friday, May 11, 2018

In a surprise ceremony at her school, Elizabeth (Liz) Gulden, a kindergarten teacher at Willson Elementary School in Baraboo, was named Wisconsin's 2019 Elementary School Teacher of the Year. As part of the Teacher of the Year honor, Gulden will receive a $3,000 award from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.

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Maggie McHugh named 2019 Middle School Teacher of the Year

Friday, May 11, 2018

In a surprise ceremony at her school, Maggie McHugh of Sparta, a sixth-grade teacher and adviser at the La Crosse Design Institute, was named Wisconsin's 2019 Middle School Teacher of the Year. As part of the Teacher of the Year honor, McHugh has received a $3,000 award from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. Download the file for details.

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Sarahi Monterrey named a 2019 High School Teacher of the Year

Thursday, May 10, 2018

In a surprise ceremony at her school, Sarahi Monterrey, an English Learner teacher at Waukesha North High School, was named a Wisconsin 2019 High School Teacher of the Year. State Superintendent Tony Evers made the announcement during an all-school assembly. As part of the Teacher of the Year honor, Monterrey will receive a $3,000 award from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. Download the file for details.

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Michael Wilson named 2019 Special Services Teacher of the Year

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

In a surprise ceremony at his school today, Michael Wilson, a school counselor at St. Croix Falls High School, was named Wisconsin's 2019 Special Services Teacher of the Year. As part of the Teacher of the Year honor, Wilson has received a $3,000 award from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation. Download the file for details.

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Erika Galewski Named Wisconsin Private School Teacher of the Year

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Third Grade teacher Erika Galewski was named Wisconsin Private School Teacher of the Year during an all-school assembly at St. Mary's Elementary School in Altoona. At the event she received a $3,000 award from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation in recognition of her teaching excellence on behalf of the students at St. Mary's. More information is available at www.wcris.org

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Herb Kohl Provides Support for Wisconsin Classrooms and Students

Monday, May 7, 2018

In honor of National Teacher Appreciation Week and to celebrate the hard work and important contributions of Wisconsin teachers this school year, Herb Kohl Philanthropies funded all Wisconsin project requests (one per teacher) on the education crowdfunding site DonorsChoose.org. Download the file for details.

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Herb Kohl 2018 Award Recipients Announced

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

Students, teachers and principals who have been selected to receive 2018 awards from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation have been announced and will be recognized at regional award luncheons in April. The attached press release contains the list of winners and award luncheons.

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Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Increases Value of Student, Teacher, and Principal Awards

Thursday, April 13, 2017

A surprise announcement that all Herb Kohl awards will double greeted Wisconsin students, teachers, and principals invited to the April 8 Herb Kohl Educational Foundation luncheon in Greendale to honor their selection as 2017 Herb Kohl award recipients. Herb Kohl announced that student scholarships, formerly $5,000, are now $10,000, teacher fellowships, formerly $3,000 are now $6,000 and principal leadership awards, formerly $3,000, are now also $6,000. The schools of teacher and principal award recipients will also receive $^,000.

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