Greendale Educator Chosen as Herb Kohl Fellow

Greendale educator Sandy Speare has been in the spotlight this year for r of the Year and now she has been selected as an Herb Kohl Foundation Fellowship recipient.

Speare is the Greendale Middle School Library Media Specialist and has been with the district since 1984. She joins 15 other Greendale faculty members who have received this award, said Superintendent William Hughes at Monday night's board meeting.

Speare will represent the Greendale School District at a regional recognition luncheon on Saturday, March 31 at Riverside University High School where she will receive her award from Sen. Herb Kohl. As part of the recognition, each Fellow’s school receives a $1,000 grant. 

Fellowship recipients are 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.

“Each year a Greendale School District teacher is recognized–which is a tribute to the high quality faculty that serves in Greendale Schools,” said Superintendent of Schools William Hughes in a release.  “This year, Sandy Speare exemplifies what being a teacher leader is all about.”

Speare has degrees in Exceptional Education and Library and Information Science from UW-Milwaukee.  She strives to stay on the cutting edge, collaborating with staff to engage students and determine how best to use technology in the classroom, according to the release.

She has played a role in bringing multiple literacy opportunities to students, including Book Club, Teen Read Week, Reading Rampage, Battle of the Books, the Scholastic Book Fair and the One Book One School program.  She is the driving force behind the After School Study Club, providing students not only an environment to study and research, but also technology they may not have access to at home.  Speare also collaborates with the Greendale Public Library and helped create Greendale Middle School’s first Literacy Night.

John Weiss, principal at Greendale Middle School, is pleased that Speare has been recognized by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.

“Sandy is an educator with a passion for literacy, learning and helping students to find their passion,” said Weiss. “As the Library Media Specialist, Sandy has been instrumental in our efforts related to technology, academic support, literacy and curriculum development.  She also develops strong relationships with the students, parents and community to help increase engagement in our school.”

The Kohl Foundation Fellowship Program was established by U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl in 1990. To date, the Foundation has awarded $7.8 million to Wisconsin educators, students and schools.

“I found the application process for the Herb Kohl Foundation Fellowship to be rewarding in and of itself, so actually receiving an award was the icing on the cake,” said Speare in the release.  “I am especially grateful for the support of my Greendale Middle School colleagues, parents and students and their commitment to excellence.”