Greendale Sign Language Teacher Recognized By Herb Kohl Foundation

GREENDALE, WI — An American Sign Language teacher at Greendale High School was recently recognized by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation for excellence in the classroom.

Jennifer McCauley is among 100 educators in Wisconsin who were recognized with the honor. The foundation chooses winners based on their ability to "inspire a love of learning in their students and ability to motivate others, and for their leadership and service within and outside the classroom," according to a news release from the district.

McCauley, who has been with the district since 2018, worked with the high school's administration and other language teachers to develop an ASL program in Greendale. She teaches ASL levels 1 through 4, according to a district news release.

McCauley is also a licensed deaf and hard of hearing teacher through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and she has completed training from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a sign language interpreter. Prior to working in Greendale, McCauley was a teacher for deaf people for 20 years with her most recent experience in Milwaukee Public Schools.

“Jennifer McCauley is the type of educator and individual for whom the Kohl’s Fellowship was created to recognize. She is among the finest all-around instructional teachers I have worked with as an educator,” said Greendale High School Principal Steve Lodes in the release. “Her creative, active, high-expectations classroom provides students with a seamless cultural and language immersion experience. Ms. McCauley wholeheartedly and passionately creates and maintains a program of quality in her ASL classroom.”

“Service to others is a huge part of what she brings to the school and community,” Lodes continued. ”Her students have opportunities to work with the local Deaf community through experiences with Deaf Senior adults and as part of HEAR Wisconsin’s Adult Outreach Group for Deaf adults with intellectual disabilities. It is meaningful for our students to use their communication skills and provide companionship and assistance to others.”

You can find more information about the Herb Kohl Education Foundation on its website.