2019 Private School Teacher of the Year Announced

MILWAUKEE, WI — Catherine Burnett is the Art Department Chair for Pius XI Catholic High School in Milwaukee, and named the 2019 Private School Teacher of the Year on May 10.

Burnett has been on staff at Pius XI for 30 years, teaching a variety of art classes. She was chosen from among 6,000 private school teachers in Wisconsin for this award which is funded by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation and coordinated by the Wisconsin Council of Religious and Independent Schools.

Beyond serving Pius as a teacher, Burnett has volunteered at the Haggerty Art Museum atMarquette University, Wauwatosa Children’s Hospital, the Italian Community Center andDiscovery World’s Kohl Design It Lab.

“Students have to feel that you care, that you are invested in their success and believe in them. The byproduct is that they will feel they belong and are safe, safe to speak up, question and be themselves. Fun, play, experimentation, discovery are important elements in art making, and essential to building a place where they want to be and work,” she said in her application.

This honor comes just after Burnett was also named as one of the 14 Private School Herb Kohl Foundation Teacher Fellowship award winners. She received $6,000 award for herself, and another $6,000 for her school and as Teacher of the Year, she will receive an additional $3,000 unrestricted award.

“Catherine is a teacher who is transforming education in Wisconsin. She is a prime example of an educator that empowers Wisconsin’s private school students,” said Sharon Schmeling, Executive Director of WCRIS in a statement to Patch.

Burnett was chosen because of her ability to identify the creative potential in every student, grounding them in self-directed, meaningful work that leads to academic and lifelong success, organizers said.

Burnett’s hard work has results, school officials say. The art program is regarded as among the top high school art programs in the nation, and has been recognized by the White House six times since 1995. Her students have been recognized as National Presidential Scholars and National Young Arts Foundation Finalists.

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