School district: Brookfield R-3

Grade level/subject: Elementary and middle school Title Reading Teacher

Years teaching: Over the last 27 years, I have been a teacher in all grade areas from preschool to sixth grade. Five years ago, I landed my dream job as a Title Reading Teacher.  My first seven years were spent teaching at parochial schools and the last 20 have been in the public school system.

Years in MSTA: 20 years

Roles in MSTA: Current CTA Membership Chair, previous CTA President and Vice President

Why did you get involved with MSTA?

When I began my teaching career in the public school system, I was strongly encouraged by the older teachers to join MSTA. At that time, I didn’t know much about MSTA other than “the coverage."  When I served as the CTA President and Vice President for my school district, I learned what MSTA had to offer their teachers. I learned that MSTA is so much more than, “What if I get in trouble?” MSTA values me as an educator and a person. MSTA offers opportunities for professional development through online book studies, discounted college courses, webinars, conferences and guest speakers. I also get up-to-date newsletters and emails informing me about educational policies and proposals. The best part, though, is the network of educators that I have met through MSTA Leadership Conferences and MSTA Conventions. Teachers are a special group of people, we are lucky to have each other to lean on, learn from and love this profession. If you are a teacher who doesn’t feel you have anyone to lean on, learn from and love this profession with, then you definitely need to get involved with MSTA.

What was a career-related highlight in 2024?

I wear many hats and find enjoyment offering my assistance. My day is spent helping beginning readers build their confidence with the skills and practice needed to read successfully. I am also the SW-PBS Elementary Building Coordinator, so I look at the behavior data and strive to come up with lesson plans, ideas and collaborate with teachers to assist our students with the behavior expectations at our school. I am the Career Ladder Plan Chairperson for our district. I assist teachers with their targets for meeting the requirements needed to reach the end-of-year goals for their plans. I was really surprised when I read that I would be receiving an Unsung Hero Award for the work I do with MSTA and CTA within the Brookfield R-3 District. Thank you MSTA for recognizing the leadership skills, the commitment and the dedication that is put forth into advocating and empowering public educators so we can teach. I know that I am appreciated every day by my coworkers and being honored at the state level during the Assembly of Delegates was the icing on the cake. 

What is something your students would be surprised to learn about you?

I have always loved kids. I grew up the oldest sister to three little brothers and was always playing school with them. I knew that working with children was going to be my forever profession. I also struggled with reading as a student, and since reading is such an important skill, I wanted to eventually become a Title Reading teacher. When kids feel successful at reading, the action of reading changes for them. Reading becomes fun when the topic is something kids love or want to know more about. I want to help kids find their love of reading and build the confidence they need to become lifelong readers. I find great joy in watching young readers feel success when they can sound out a word correctly, read a word without having to sound it out and eventually they are able to read whole sentences, paragraphs and stories on their own. I also enjoy hearing about kids who have “been caught reading” when it isn’t exactly a designated reading time, reading in an unusual place and when they come to school bragging about finishing a book by themselves. 

Why Lisa was named an Unsung Hero:

"Lisa oversees membership at Brookfield. She is clearly a backbone of her school community," said MSTA Member Service Coordinator Julie Gass. "I have witnessed teachers and admin seek her out for support. She did a wonderful job organizing her back-to-school event to recruit new teachers.  She cares deeply about her colleagues and students."