Highland View Teacher Recognized by the Herb Kohl Foundation

After only receiving her degree in education less than five years ago Karen Weber has already had the honor of being awarded the Herb Kohl Foundation Fellowship.

"First I'm stunned that I was even nomintated," said the teacher. "I’m honored to just be teaching here with the caliber of teachers here in Greendale."

The Kohl Foundation Fellowship Program was established by U.S. Senator Herb Kohl in 1990 and has awarded $7.4 million to Wisconsin educators, students and schools.

Fellowship recipents are recognized 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.

The school will receive a $1,000 and Weber will also receive another $1,000. Weber will receive her award from Senator Kohl at a recognition luncheon on April 3 at Pius XI High School.

Weber joined the in 2007 and teaches first grade.

She doesn't restrict her skill to only the classroom. Outside she has organized Literacy Night for students and families and coordinated Author Night at a local bookstore for first and second graders.

As a member of the school’s action team Weber helped coordinate Math Night and Read 20, a school-wide program that encourages students to read twenty minutes per night at home. It doesn't stop there. She coordinated a website for sharing reading lesson plans for Highland View’s Guided Reading program and she is involved with the school’s Reading Buddies, a group of senior citizens who read with first graders on a weekly basis.

Every year about a 1000 teachers get nominated for the fellowship and only 100 get chosen, said Weber.

“Karen works tirelessly for the good of her students; she is their greatest advocate and cheerleader,” said Leni Dietrich, principal at Highland View School. “Through collaboration with fellow teachers, parents and community volunteers, Karen provides her students with countless opportunities to learn and grow.”

Since the age of 18 Weber was involed in education either as a school secretary or as a teaching aid but she could never shake off the desire to teach.

"I always wanted to be a teacher but I never went back to school early enough to do it," Weber said. "I kept thinking it’s too late but my husband and son said 'no it’s not.'"

Weber enrolled at Marian University and at 50 years old got her teaching certificate.

"I have been truly blessed," she said.

Weber says that kids she taught in the third grade still stop by to say hello.

"I know my kids really well," Weber said. "I get to know them individually first as people and then as students."

Weber hopes to stay at Greendale for years to come.

"The energy levels they (the kids) have drive me to become better at what I do," she said. "When I see their faces light up with knowledge, it’s an unbelieveable feeling."