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Madison Metropolitan School District

MMSD Staff Earn UW-Madison Rockwell, Madison365 Leadership Awards

MMSD Staff Earn UW-Madison Rockwell, Madison365 Leadership Awards

MMSD’s lineup of award-winning staff continues to grow week after week! This month, several staff members and one student earned awards from UW-Madison’s School of Education and Madison365.

UW-Madison’s School of Education Rockwell Awards

Four MMSD elementary teachers are recipients of UW-Madison’s School of Education Rockwell Awards. The annual awards recognize excellent educators who have chosen to pass on their expertise by providing professional experiences to UW-Madison student teachers. 

MMSD’s 2024 recipients include:

  • Michelle Blevins, third-grade teacher at Marquette Elementary School
  • Ben Jaeger, band teacher at Vel Phillips Memorial High School
  • Dave Ropa, seventh-grade science teacher at Spring Harbor Middle School
  • Rachel Schramm, art teacher at Malcolm Shabazz City High School

Award winners are required to advise at least five UW-Madison student teachers and demonstrate an ability to establish an inclusive classroom environment; model teaching skills and a passion for the profession; and provide effective guidance, feedback and opportunities for student-teachers.

Michelle Blevins
Blevins has been teaching for 13 years, and shared how supporting student-teachers is important as teaching itself is such an important job.

“I want to help others feel confident and happy in their role as an educator,” Blevins said. “It's important for our community's growth to have educators who are positive, kind, reflective, dedicated, and encouraging.” 

Ben Jaeger
Jaeger has spent his entire 25-year teaching career in MMSD, all at schools in the Vel Phillips Memorial High School attendance area: Memorial since 2011, Spring Harbor Middle School from 2001-2011 and Crestwood Elementary from 2000-2001.

“I am constantly inspired by the Memorial community and I am eager to share that with young people who want to do what we do,” Jaeger said. “If pre-service teachers go out into the universe and spread this community's contagious passion for the arts, the world will be a beautiful place.”

Dave Ropa
Ropa is also in his 25th year of teaching, with his career spent at Spring Harbor Middle School. In fact, it’s where he completed his student-teaching, under John Kalson in 2000. Over the past 20 years, he has mentored 50 practicum and student-teachers, supporting future generations of educators. 

Serving as a cooperating teacher is important, Ropa said, since all professional teachers were once student-teachers, and know the necessary skills. Additionally, the program highlights an important opportunity for MMSD to recruit and train future educators who start out as student-teachers.

“These relationships made me a better teacher because each student asked questions and helped me in my reflective process,” Ropa said. “It was nice to be recognized for my efforts, but frankly, I wouldn't be the teacher I am without their presence in my classroom.”

Rachel Schramm
Schramm splits her time as both an art teacher and instructional coach at Malcolm Shabazz City High School, where she supports both current and future educators. Since 2011, she has been working with student-teachers, who she says are just as impactful to her own career.

“I believe working with student-teachers is a way to both give back to the profession and support growing the next generation of teachers,” Schramm said. “I also always feel so inspired by student-teachers in my space and learn as much from them as they learn from me. It's a gift to work with student-teachers.”

365 Leadership Community Choice Awards

MMSD Associate Superintendent of Elementary Schools Chelsey Tubbs has been named the recipient of the 365 Leadership Community Choice Award for Educator of the Year. Now in its sixth year, the award series honors leaders and change-makers among communities of color in Madison, with recipients honored at the 365 Leadership Summit. Tubbs is  joined by Vel Phillips Memorial High School student Marion Moore, who was named the High School Athlete of the Year.

"I want to extend my deepest thanks to the students, families, principals, assistant principals, teachers, staff, community partners, board members and MMSD central office colleagues I serve," Tubbs said. "Together, we accomplish great things for our students and community, and I couldn’t do it without you."