State Superintendent Jill Underly was in Mishicot this morning (May 9th) to surprise a longtime educator.
O.H. Schultz Elementary School Special Education Teacher Lisa Van Hefty is one of five teachers in the state to receive the honor as a part of Teacher Appreciation Week in Wisconsin.
Han Hefty was teary-eyed as she made her way to the front of the student body, all gathered in the gym, while Underly praised her for being a “passionate advocate for mental health” and her ability to create an environment where “every student knows they belong.”
Van Hefty, who has been a special education teacher in Mishicot for over 27 years, was sincerely shocked.
“When my name was called, it just kind of took me back, took my breath away, actually,” she said, her voice still shaking. “Very unexpected. I just do my bit, just do my job, you know? Every day.
She noted that teaching the young ones is not something she can do on her own.
“Our paraprofessionals are powerful in our school. They are amazing,” she explained. “My colleagues are amazing. We have a really collaborative environment in our school.”
Speaking of colleagues, fellow special education teacher Brittni Buyeske was one of two fellow instructors who wrote a letter to the Department of Public Instruction, advocating for Van Hefty to receive the award.
“She is just an absolutely amazing human being inside and out,” she told SeehaferNews.com. “Not just, you know, here, but everywhere. She’s somebody that I can text over the weekend. She’s just super supportive if me, as a colleague, but also as a friend.”
The Wisconsin Teacher of the Year awards are presented annually to five elementary, middle school, high school, and special services teachers who go above and beyond to teach the future leaders of our communities, our state, and our nation.
