MPS educators win state health Teacher of the Year, Jump Rope for Heart honors
MPS celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week as MPS educators earn top honors from the state association of health and physical education teachers for three straight years
(left to right): Brett Fuller, MPS curriclum specialist for health, physical education and Safe and Supportive Schools; Kathleen Dreyer, health teacher at MPS’ Rufus King International High School and 2015 WHPE health Teacher of the Year; and King High Principal Dr. Jennifer Smith. Photo courtesy of MPS.
MILWAUKEE (May 6, 2015) – Kathleen Dreyer, a health teacher at Milwaukee Public Schools‘ Rufus King International High School, has been named state health Teacher of the Year for 2015.
The award marks the third straight year that an MPS teacher has earned top honors from Wisconsin Health and Physical Education, an association of health and PE teachers from across the state.
Gail Milbrath, of MPS’ Greenfield Bilingual School, was named 2014 PE Teacher of the Year and Michael Beringer, of MPS’ Fairview School, earned the same honor in 2013.
The recognition for staff comes as MPS has added 140-plus new art, music and physical education positions to the district over the last three years.
Beringer earned another honor this year from WHPE: the Jump Rope/Hoops for Heart Recognition Award. That recognition is given to Wisconsin educators for exemplary involvement and support for Jump Rope and Hoops for Heart, the world’s largest charitable fundraising activity. Jump Rope for Heart got its start in MPS in 1978 and the recognition Beringer earned was created to honor former MPS educator Bill Budris for his outstanding accomplishments connected to the event.
As MPS celebrates Teacher Appreciation Week, Superintendent Dr. Darienne Driver joins Brett Fuller, MPS’ curriculum specialist for health, physical education and Safe and Supportive Schools in congratulating these two outstanding teachers.
“MPS teachers continue to demonstrate their dedication, hard work and effectiveness in teaching health and physical education,” Fuller said. “Mrs. Dreyer uses a rigorous curriculum that engages students to learn how to stay healthy for a lifetime. Mr. Beringer teaches students about heart health and advocacy through the Jump Rope for Heart Program that is the best in the region.”
The teachers will receive their awards in October at the WHPE Annual Convention.
About Milwaukee Public Schools
Milwaukee Public Schools is committed to accelerating student achievement, building positive relationships between youth and adults and cultivating leadership at all levels. The district’s commitment to improvement continues to show results:
- More MPS students are meeting reading standards
- The MPS Class of 2014 earned $31 million in scholarships, up $7 million; and
- MPS is home to 4 of the state’s top 15 high schools according to U.S. News and World Report
Learn more about MPS by visiting our website. More MPS news is available at mpsmke.com/news
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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