Bethany Counard is a quiet star, as her principal at West De Pere Middle School would say.
Despite being named Wisconsin Teacher of the Year, one of five in the entire state, Counard isn’t sure if there is anything about her teaching that is particularly notable.
“I, like many others, just do the best we can, so I don’t know if there’s anything that necessarily stands out,” he said.
But there is.
As you enter your classroom, it is hot. Not just because it’s May in Green Bay, but because it’s cozy and inviting. Bright yellow fabric covers the walls to brighten the room, students’ artwork is hung with pins, and naturally, there are many, many books. After all, Counard is a professor of English language and literature.
One of those May afternoons in Counard’s classroom was filled with boisterous laughter. Students jumped up and down, cheering on their classmates as they played a game of charades to practice gestures for their end-of-year speeches. The students were engaged and having fun.
Counard is in his 23rd year of teaching, so he definitely has his 10,000 hours. It’s about making connections for your students, whether it’s playing a game related to the topic of the day or having a group discussion.
“I really enjoy making connections with kids,” he said. “Knowing what their interests are and what’s important to them and just having those moments in class where we can all laugh at something or share something.”
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For Counard, there was no doubt she would become a teacher, she said. Her parents were studying. Her father was a teacher and her mother was a librarian.
When he talks about teaching, his passion for the profession is clear.
“What I like (about English language arts) is finding ways for kids to be empathetic and connect with people or characters who might have very different experiences than them,” she said. “I like it when they discover that they can really express themselves in unique ways.”
She is the first teacher in the West De Pere School District to be named Wisconsin Teacher of the Year, the highest honor given to educators by the state. As part of the award, Counard will also be named a five-year member of the Wisconsin Council of Teachers of the Year, where she will have the opportunity to provide policy guidance, engage in educational advocacy and lead professional development.
She learned of her new title at a surprise assembly on May 2 where rumors, fueled by her principal, had students speculating that Caitlin Clark, Jordan Love or even Taylor Swift might show up at school.
“Up until a few hours right before that assembly took place, we were still like, even among the teachers, we were still like, ‘Okay, what’s up with this?’ What about this possibility?’” Counard said.
However, it turned out that the guest of honor was his own eighth grade English teacher.
“But what was really special is that when that moment happened, based on the reactions of the students and staff, you would have thought Michael Jordan walked into the room,” said principal James Finley.
State Superintendent Jill Underly presented the award to Counard, along with members of the West De Pere School Board and district Superintendent Dennis Krueger.
“It was very emotional. I just care a lot about what I do. I care about the school and the students, and I mean, honestly, all the people I work with and how we support each other and share ideas together,” Counard said.
Danielle DuClos is a Report for America corps member and covers K-12 education for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at dduclos@gannett.com. Follow on Twitter @danielle_duclos. You can directly support their work with a tax-deductible donation at GreenBayPressGazette.com/RFA or by sending a check made out to The GroundTruth Project with the subject line Report for America Green Bay Press Gazette Campaign. Address: The GroundTruth Project, Lockbox Services, 9450 SW Gemini Drive, PMB 46837, Beaverton, Oregon 97008-7105.
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