A lot happened in the Green Bay education world in 2024, and sometimes, the positives can get lost. Now, at the end of the year, it’s time to look back at the highlights — with some help from Press-Gazette readers.
Readers shout out family, community members
Terry Cornette shared her appreciation for West De Pere Middle School eighth-grade football coach Sean Gibbons, his team and the De Pere football team. In an October game, Gibbons set up a play for Cornette’s grandson and the team’s manager, Vince Rein, who has muscular dystrophy. The players all worked together to help Vince score the winning point for West De Pere.
“It meant the world to him,” Cornette said. She also shouted out Vince for his dedication to the team.
Cassidy McGowan, a St. Bernard Catholic School parent, highlighted his pride for his three children: Molly, in fourth grade, Sean in sixth grade and Colin in eighth grade, who all made the honor roll.
Green Bay schools and teachers won awards
The Green Bay school district’s Leonardo Da Vinci School for Gifted Learners was named Wisconisn’s best middle school and second-best elementary school by U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 rankings. In 2022-23, nearly 84% of students scored proficient or above in language arts and nearly 93% scored proficient or above in math.
West De Pere Middle School teacher Bethany Counard was named one of five Wisconsin Teachers of the Year in May. Counard, who has over 20 years of teaching experience, said teaching for her is all about connecting with the students.
Jackson Elementary counselor Tammy Van Ess was named the Wisconsin Counselor of the Year in October. Van Ess created the Hunger Heroes Jaguar Den food pantry during the pandemic and has kept it going since.
Student of the week
The Press-Gazette and USA TODAY-WISCONSIN recognized 14 outstanding Wisconsin students with a Student of the Week award, which honored notable high school students.
Two students, from Southwest High School and West High School, won the Press-Gazette’s Green Bay area Student of the Week award. When the award changed to feature students from across the state, Green Bay students rose to the challenge, with seven of the 12 Students of the Week coming from area schools.
Students from De Pere High School, Notre Dame Academy, Bay Port High School and Pulaski High School were named Wisconsin Students of the Week. Congratulations to all the 2024 winners!
Green Bay makes its mark on art
Bay Port High School band director Kyle Siegrist and Howard-Suamico students, faculty and facilities were featured in a Super Bowl commercial for Bellin Health alongside Packers head coach Matt LaFleur in February. For Siegrist, it was an opportunity for students to see behind the scenes of what being on television is like.
And Green Bay’s Martin Elementary got a new library mural, designed with the help of students. It included things Martin students thought made the school special, such as Bay Beach Amusement Park, a bowling alley and a farm, all of which students visit on field trips. It even featured a student who won a fundraiser raffle to be included in the artwork.
A year full of features
De Pere school districts invited therapy dogs into their halls to help cuddle away stress. A Franklin Middle School teacher led an anti-racism club at the school. A Howard-Suamico first-grader plowed snow with his wheelchair, with help from his principal.
We loved featuring exceptional students, teachers and programs this year. We can’t wait to see what’ll come in education in 2025; send us an email if there’s someone we should highlight.
Contact Green Bay education reporter Nadia Scharf atnscharf@gannett.com or on X at @nadiaascharf.