TDS Telecommunications LLC (TDS®) is saluting this year’s nominees for the Wisconsin Most Valuable Educator Award, which honors those making a difference in schools and their communities.

The 2024 winner was Whitewater High School’s Laura Masbruch, a computer science, math, and robotics teacher who was surprised with the award in front of an all-school assembly last month. The contest drew about 40 nominations from across the state, highlighting and celebrating many hard-working educators working to help students achieve. 

Over the last few weeks, TDS associates have been traveling to schools and presenting Most Valuable Educator certificates to those who were nominated.

“While there could be only one winner of this award, we are thrilled to shine a spotlight on many outstanding educators in our communities. Thank you to all those who work hard every single day to make our schools a better place,” said TDS Regional Field Marketing Manager Dawn Nowakowski.

Nominees must work in a school located in one of TDS’ Wisconsin communities (a full list of communities can be found here). The following educators were nominated for the Most Valuable Educator award, including some who received multiple nominations:

·       Julie Mayer, Badger Elementary School, Appleton

·       Douglas Thompson, Parkview Middle School, Ashwaubenon

·       Matthew Schreiber, Crown of Life Christian Academy, Fort Atkinson

·       Alexis Russell, Eisenhower Elementary, Green Bay

·       Nick Moraza, Franklin Middle School, Green Bay

·       Carrie Maccoux, Green Bay Preble High School

·       Trichia Nemecek, Green Bay Preble High School

·       Shayna Horacek, Green Bay Preble High School

·       Briana Vander Heiden, Green Bay Southwest High School

·       Lisa Merkel, Green Bay West High School

·       Jon Egan, John Dewey Academy of Learning, Green Bay

·       Tammy Van Ess, Jackson Elementary School, Green Bay

·       Megan Stroik, Jefferson Head Start Learning Center, Green Bay

·       Lauren Bechle, Kennedy Elementary School, Green Bay

·       Michelle Flicek, King Elementary School, Green Bay

·       Adam Bunderson, Janesville Craig High School

·       Jennifer Baumhofer, East Elementary School, Jefferson

·       Jenny Schroedl, West Elementary School, Jefferson

·       Kim Tietz, Jefferson Middle School

·       Wayne Ellinghausen, Jefferson High School

·       Kate Nikitin, Johnson Creek Elementary School

·       Lyssa Lauersdorf, Johnson Creek Elementary School

·       Rachel Janes, Northside Intermediate School, Milton

·       Alexandria Conrad, Immanuel Lutheran School, Manitowoc

·       Sarah Hoffman, Mishicot Middle School

·       Ashley Kintzler, Oakfield Middle School

·       Jessica Matz, St. Ann School, Stoughton

·       Brad Pickett, Stoughton High School

·       Cassie Jemilo, Stoughton High School

·       Ricardo Boeing, UW-Stevens Point

·       Laura Masbruch, Whitewater High School

·       Carey Fero, Whitewater Middle School

·       Darsha Olsen, Whitewater Middle School

·       Lanora Heim, Whitewater Unified School District

Madison-based TDS has served Wisconsin for more than 55 years. The company is constructing high-speed fiber networks in Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire, Janesville, and many other Wisconsin communities.