Local teacher to represent state nationally
By Heather Ruenz
Editor
Whitewater Middle School teacher Diana Callope hardly had time to take in the news that she was one of four teachers chosen in Wisconsin when she learned that had been chosen to represent the state at the national level.
The latest announcement as Wisconsin Teacher of the Year for Callope, an eighth-grade pre-algebra, algebra and geometry teacher was made Oct. 1 by the DPI and the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.
“I feel incredibly honored to represent Wisconsin… The support and encouragement I have received from my administrators, co-workers, students and families is very motivating,” Callope said at a breakfast reception held at the State Capitol in Madison Oct. 6. “I hope to carry their enthusiasm with me as I venture further into the process.”
That enthusiasm has been almost palpable throughout Whitewater since the announcement was made, including the very large banner on a school bus parked outside of WMS during a reception honoring Callope Oct. 9.
“We’re so proud to be a partner with this great school district and we thought we would go big,” Chris Arnett, president of Nelson’s Bus Service said. “The cool part is you can have the banner eventually if you want, if you can find a barn or something.”
Arnett, in response to Callope asking if she could have the bus, too, replied with a smile: “I need the bus.”
Cameron Clapper, Whitewater City Manager, told Callope during the school ceremony, “You in your efforts as a math teacher have been outstanding. Remember that we are very proud to have you in Whitewater.”
Clapper then gave Callope an order, of sorts. “And also, you’re not allowed to go on to anything else until my seventh-grader (Jared) has you for a teacher.”
District Administrator Eric Runez, said Callope “is absolutely deserving of this honor… an absolute reflection of the quality of staff we have here.”
State Representative Andy Jorgensen, who presented Callope with a Wisconsin State flag for her classroom that had previously flown over the State Capitol, talked about the pride in her accomplishment.
“When one of our own goes on to do something exceptional like this, we’re all very, very proud,” Jorgensen said. “Somebody said that if there’s a little boy or girl in her classroom that says, ‘You know, I just don’t get it, Mrs. Callope,’ she doesn’t stop until they can’t say that anymore. No one is left behind and that a pretty neat quality to have.”
At the breakfast reception in Madison, WMS principal Tanya Wojciechowicz said the honor for Callope reflects on the community.
“This is such a prestigious award and Diana is such a worthy candidate,” Wojciechowicz said. “We are celebrating together, not only to recognize Diana, but also because this is a reflection of the entire Whippet community.”
State Superintendent Tony Evers spoke about all teachers at the Oct. 6 event.
“(It’s) very, very important to recognize teachers. If we don’t have great teachers, we’re not going to have great schools. That kind of recognition is really critical,” Evers said.
At WMS last week, a few eighth graders – students of Callope’s and possibly the best judges of her character and ability in the classroom – also weighed in.
“I think she really deserves this because she’s really good with kids,” Jaden Pfinder said.
Sydney Treder said Callope helped her in geometry by coming “up with clever ways to make it easier to understand.”
“I think she’s an awesome teacher because she’s really fun and explains things really well… she deserves this award,” Nicholas Kuzoff said.
Aspen Cook said Callope “is really cool because I’m more of a visual learner,” explaining the approach Callope used in teaching her.
Steve Ryan, who retired as principal of WMS and now serves as the Whitewater Unified School District board clerk, said Callope “is the embodiment of an exemplary teacher.”
“She consistently meets the needs of all students through her innovative and challenging curriculum. Her students respect her and know that failure is not an option in her class,” Ryan said.
Ryan said Callope’s professionalism and dedication have earned her the respect of students, parents, colleagues and administrators as “she truly epitomizes the best qualities of education in WUSD and the state.”
Peggy Wuenstel, currently the Reading Interventionist at Washington Elementary School in Whitewater, named the Wisconsin Special Services Teacher of the Year in 2010, said the honor was life changing for her.
“My first response to being selected was that now I had to go out and deserve the honor. Being a Teacher of the Year, you are given a voice that people were willing to listen to. The responsibility that comes with that is to be an informed voice rather than just an opinionated one,” Wuenstel said.
“Speaking to pre-service teachers, writing a monthly blog for my Alma Mater Marquette University, op-ed pieces with my Teacher of the Year colleagues, or serving on Dr. Evers Teacher of the Year Council, the charge is the same: Put your service where your words are. It continues to be a great privilege to do so,” Wuenstel added.
Callope has a busy road ahead of her including preparation for National Teacher of the Year, who has yet to be selected.
“My application is due in Madison by the 20th and will be forwarded to Washington D.C. before the month is over… The selection committee meets in December to choose four finalists,” Callope said. By late March 2015, the National Teacher of the Year will be notified. All of the State Teachers of the Year, including the national honoree, will be recognized in Washington D.C in April.
But for now, Callope will most likely continue to enjoy the “big” moment, with support from an enthusiastic school district and community.
Tom Ganser contributed to this story.
