New Berlin Teacher Named A 2022 Teacher Of The Year: WI DPI

NEW BERLIN, WI—Tarah Fedenia, a speech and language pathologist at Poplar Creek Elementary, is one of five distinguished educators from across the state that have been named the 2022 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, according to a news release.

The selected group received the award for their tireless dedication toward students and the profession.

Tarah Fedenia has a decade of experience in education. In addition to her work as a bilingual (Spanish) SLP, she was previously a staff member at the Friendship House in Milwaukee, a transitional women and children’s shelter, and was an instructor for children living at the Milwaukee Rescue Mission’s Joy House.

Her educational philosophy, as noted in her application, is to “provide support to those who need it the most.” She is the first-ever SDNB teacher of the year, according to the Wisconsin DPI, the release said.

“Tarah is an incredible asset to the students and families at Poplar Creek and in the School District of New Berlin,” SDNB Superintendent Joe Garza said in a statement. “But not only has she served our students well, she has also shared her skills and talents to benefit the greater community, and we could not be prouder of her and her recognition. She is a great representative for all of the hard-working, dedicated teachers throughout our school district.”

Fedenia is joined by Kabby Hong, an English Teacher at Verona Area High School; Anna Miller, a speech and language pathologist at Harmony Elementary in Milton; Eric Mumm, a technology and engineering teacher at Lancaster High School; and Patricia Zemke, a sixth-grade teacher at John Muir Middle School and Horace Mann Middle School in Wausau. Miller’s husband, coincidentally, is Patrick Miller, the SDNB’s Chief Financial and Operations Officer.

The 2022 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year are among the 101 educators recognized earlier this year by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation’s Teacher Fellowship Program, which honors and supports teaching excellence and innovation across Wisconsin.

The honorees were selected by a diverse committee to represent voices, contexts, and perspectives as educational leaders throughout Wisconsin. The Herb Kohl Educational Foundation will provide a $3,000 personal award to each of those selected.

“We are incredibly excited for Tarah and for Poplar Creek,” Poplar Creek principal Matt Stempniewski said in a statement. “It is always an honor for our school when our teachers earn the prestigious Herb Kohl Fellowship awards. To have Tarah take that a step further and earn teacher of the year recognition is something our entire school community should be tremendously proud of.”