Muskego Teacher Named Outstanding by Lawrence University, and a Former Student

It's not that often that teachers can guage their impact on students after they've graduated and moved on, but social studies and history teacher Kenny Bosch has some idea now.

The Muskego High School teacher will be honored Sunday, May 5 with Lawrence University's 2013 Outstanding Teaching in Wisconsin Award, an honor given to teachers nominated by students they have taught. Bosch will receive a certificate, a citation and a monetary award from Lawrence President Jill Beck in ceremonies at the president's house.

In addition, Lawrence will donate $250 to Muskego High School for library acquisitions. However, Bosch told Muskego Patch the honor for him has been in making a difference for his students.

"It's a unique honor, and one that reflects the character of our students here," he said. "We have great students who care about learning and I'm just excited and honored to be a part of this."

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Lawrence senior Kaye Herranen, who once sat in Bosch's classroom about six years ago at MHS, described Bosch as "an excellent motivator" and "endlessly patient" in nominating him for the award. Nominated by Lawrence seniors, recipients are selected on their abilities to communicate effectively, create a sense of excitement in the classroom, motivate their students to pursue academic excellence while showing a genuine concern for them in and outside the classroomm according to the university.  

Bosch said that he does keep in contact with some of his students including Herranen, but was surprised at the award.

"I asked her what she had to do to nominate me - I was really not expecting this, especially as many of my students are already gifted - they have a great attitude for learning," he explained.

"While Mr. Bosch certainly drives his students to do their very best and expects great things of them, he never pushes them too far," wrote Herranen, a 2009 Muskego High School graduate, in her nomination. "He's a teacher that students can't help but like, even as he challenges them academically. It's no surprise that I'm a history major at Lawrence. Mr. Bosch gave me his passion for history."

Bosch joined the Muskego High School faculty after teaching in California in 2002. He teaches social studies classes, including sophomore U.S. history and AP U.S. history. He helped create Muskego's Freshmen Mentor Program, for which he was recognized with the 2005 “Good Idea Award” by Partners for Education, Inc.

Bosch also creates instructional videos to help teachers use technology more effectively for a video newsletter and is writing a chapter for the forthcoming education book "Flipping 2.0." 

He has also coached basketball on various levels since 1999, including the past 11 as  head coach of the Bay Lane Middle School 8th grade girls team.