Waukesha Teacher Is 2018-19 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year

WAUKESHA, WI — In a surprise ceremony at her school today, Sarahi Monterrey, an English Learner teacher at Waukesha North High School, was named a Wisconsin 2019 High School Teacher of the Year.

State Superintendent Tony Evers made the announcement during an all-school assembly. As part of
the Teacher of the Year honor, Monterrey will receive $3,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.

“Our teachers wear many hats, yet their dedication to children is constant,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers in a prepared statement.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I always knew I wanted to be a teacher,” said Monterrey in her application materials “The power in making students feel welcome and safe cannot be underestimated,” she said.

Monterrey’s work on inclusion includes the visible, “Dreamers Welcome” and “This School Welcomes You”
posters. The Department of Public Instruction recognized Monterrey's work toward: developing a curriculum that is representative of various backgrounds so students feel included; her work to improve family communication so parents understand they are part of their student’s success; and her outreach to ensure that English learner (EL) students have access to extracurricular activities and support to be ready for college.

When Monterrey arrived at Waukesha North, the school had a single bilingual study skills class for
incoming students.

The next year, the school began offering English as a Second Language and redesigned the study skills curriculum to focus more on enrichment. Monterrey and her colleagues identified classes where EL students were not successful. Through the co-teaching model she introduced, content and specialty teachers began to work together to make classes comprehensible to all students. The school now offers three levels of English as a Second Language and staff co-teach English 9, algebra I and II, geometry, Spanish IV, and chemistry.

Prior to working at Waukesha North, Monterrey worked at Waukesha South and Whitewater high
schools. She started her career as a Spanish and English learner teacher for grades seven through 12 at
Whitewater middle and high schools. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of
Wisconsin-Whitewater

Submitted Photo