Employees of the Year

The school district annually brings together a committee to review nominations for employees of the year. These include multiple categories focusing on several positions such as Elementary Educator or New Educator. Four Wildcats were recognized by this year’s panel, including Principal Erin Kohl, recipient of the Administrator of the Year award.

“West has been pretty successful in getting employees awarded for employee of the year,” she said. “We have had several winners in the categories of Support Staff, New Educator, and Secondary Educator. I think we have had winners every year I’ve been at West.”

Special education paraprofessional Doug Whiteley, also recognized for his work, appreciates Kohl’s efforts towards West’s improvement.

“It’s clear to me that Mrs. Kohl cares a great deal about our students and staff,” he said. “The few times I’ve needed to talk to her, she has always found the time even though I know she’s got more to do than there are hours in a work day, which is probably why she’s usually here before the sun comes up.”

The nursing staff at West were honored in the category of frontline workers. 

“It was very surprising and quite an honor that we were all nominated,” school nurse 

Stefanie Rebholz said. “The one thing I would say is that I would like to share this award with my health assistants because they do a lot of the same things we do. We are just the overseers.”

Due to the events occurring throughout the past year, work has definitely not been easy. Rebholz believes this is the major reason she and the other nurses were nominated. 

“COVID-19 has taken over our job and we have really been doing a lot as far as keeping up to date with the latest things, like following the procedures and protocols that the district has put in place,” she said.

Although the work combined with the pandemic demonstrates the obvious deservedness of her award, Kohl reinforced that the staff are incredibly hard working all of the time. 

“Their job is really busy even in normal times, so throw in a global pandemic; they just had so much added to their plates,” she said. “Mrs. Rebholz is amazing at her job. She takes student health very seriously and has worked tirelessly to address both the regular and COVID-related health needs of students and staff.”

Kohl also sees Whiteley as richly deserving his Support Staff of the Year designation.

“Mr. Whiteley never loses his cool,” Kohl said. “He is always calm and positive with students while still holding them accountable to the rules and expectations. Mr. Whitely also adds value to our school community as an athletic coach and as a staff member who is always willing to lend a hand to anyone at West, even if it is not part of his job duties.”

Math teacher and coach Ken Levine was recognized as a Secondary Educator of the Year. 

“In my mind I’ve been working really hard for the many years I have been here, so to be recognized for it is nice,” he said. “For the future I hope to continue teaching and coaching and doing a good job so that they want to keep me around here for a few more years.”

From Whiteley’s 10 years of experience at West, he finds Levine is willing to help, even if it means giving students a push. 

“My younger son spent most of his W-hours in his room, even the year after he had Mr. Levine as a teacher,” he said. “My older son came across something on the ACT that he hadn’t learned in class, so he went to Coach Levine for a tutorial before taking the test again. He never even had him as a teacher, but knew he would help.”

At the same time, Levine cannot help but feel for the numerous other staff members who also put much effort into this year.

“I think it’s nice to recognize people who are out there working hard to help the kids,” he said. “It’s nice that people actually think about recognizing teachers that are working hard, but I think a lot of people deserved to be chosen.”

Similarly, Whiteley cannot help but mention others who have sacrificed much this year.

“I appreciate the nomination, but there is a long list of people in our school who routinely do great things and at the top of that list has to be our custodians: Steve Abler, Bob Schuhart and Jeff Langkau,” he said. “They are outstanding on a normal day, but a couple months ago, they risked life and limb to fight a real fire. I tip my hat to them.”

Kohl finds her job easy because of the talent and support throughout the school. 

“To me, getting this award is a celebration of all the people around me,” she said. “I am surrounded by the most amazing people. We have incredible teachers and support staff. It’s really about recognizing those people who work hard everyday, come in to do their best with positive attitudes, and those who are truly here to serve the students of the school.”

By Javit Thao

Oshkosh West Index Volume 117 Issue VII

April 30th, 2021