BRODHEAD — Brooke Kintzle always knew teaching was something she wanted to do — but when she began focusing on students with special needs, that was when her career truly felt like home.
“I think I’ve always had an interest in this field,” Kintzle said. “When I volunteered more in the field — I found out it was my passion.”
That passion for students came in the form of an award recently, after State Superintendent Carolyn Standford Taylor recognized five exemplary Wisconsin educators for being named the 2021 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year, with Kintzle among them.
She is one of 86 educators recognized earlier this year by the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation’s Teacher Fellowship Program, which honors and supports teaching excellence and innovation across Wisconsin.
The Brodhead High School graduate who returned to her alma mater to teach middle schoolers is the first at the school to earn either award.
Brodhead Middle School Principal Lisa Semrow nominated Kintzle for the fellowship and was thrilled to hear that she then took honors as one of few Teachers of the Year.
“We’re just so excited for her,” Semrow said. “Positive news is always good — especially this year.”
After Kintzle graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a dual certificate in special education and education, her dream job just happened to be waiting for her. Although it wasn’t her plan to return to Brodhead, Kintzle said she was open to the idea.
Although she always knew she loved working with children, in college Kintzle learned she had a greater connection for students with disabilities. She said she finds the challenge rewarding to individualize education to meet the needs of her students.
“It can be challenging,” she said. “I just try to work hard for my students and create positive supports for them.”
She describes her classroom that welcomes sixth through eighth graders as calm and predictable, and a place where students can receive helpful supports. She said they focus on building relationships and gaining trust. However, like most teachers, her days can bring challenges.
“The challenge is good in that I can see the success by meeting the needs of those challenges,” she said. “I’m lucky to work in such a great district that’s supportive of the teachers and the administration is great.”
Semrow found out about the award before Kintzle and they planned a socially distanced surprise due to the COVID-19 pandemic after the news was shared online. Family members and staff were waiting both in person and online to send her well wishes and cheer her on.
“I was very surprised,” Kintzle said. “I’m very honored and I had no clue it was happening.”
In a classroom with varying needs, Semrow said Kintzle goes the extra mile, before COVID-19, often organizing outings for her students and taking them on “community adventures” throughout the year to help them undergo new experiences. She said she’s seen her classrooms take hay rides, or even visit restaurants after school for some functional living lessons.
Semrow said the extra time and early mornings that Kintzle puts in to her teaching style shows when it comes to her students, calling her instruction methods “innovative.”
“She has a positive attitude and always meets the needs of her students,” Semrow said.
Her hands-on style is noticed throughout the school, but especially to those learning in her classroom.
“They love it,” Semrow said of the students.
Kintzle has a master’s degree in special education from UW-Whitewater and has certificates in autism, specialist transition and applied behavioral analysis. She is currently attending UW-La Crosse for her educational leadership certification.
Kintzle also coaches volleyball and basketball in Brodhead.
“She’s just a wonderful person,” Semrow said. “She’s just outstanding in her field. She’s a positive impact on her players and her students too.”
Kintzle was recently married to husband, Michael in August, and enjoys spending time with family and friends in northern Wisconsin where she enjoys fishing and UTV riding.
Brodhead has been both online and in person since the school year started a few weeks ago. Kintzle said her students were doing well with the changes due to the pandemic.
“It’s great to be back and working with students,” Kintzle said. “They’re doing great with the changes in place currently.”
The honorees for Teacher of the Year were selected by a committee to represent voices, contexts and perspectives as educational leaders throughout Wisconsin. The Herb Kohl Foundation will provide a $3,000 personal award to each selection.
Other selections for Teacher of the Year are: Koren Jackson, Milwaukee Transition High School, Milwaukee Public Schools; Trisha Kilpin, Greendale School District; Derrick Meyer, Amery High School, School District of Amery; and Susan Richardson, Milwaukee German Immersion School, Milwaukee Public Schools.
In the fall, each of those selected will be interviewed by the Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and one will be selected to represent Wisconsin on the Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Program.
“Teachers have the incredible responsibility of educating our children and inspiring them to grow,” Stanford Taylor said. “I am honored to recognize these five educators for their dedication and commitment to Wisconsin students and to call them our 2021 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year.”
