Wendra Simonis
Position: Middle School Special Education Teacher
School: Antigo Middle School
School District: Antigo Unified School District
City, State: Antigo, WI
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Wendra Simonis was nominated by a colleague, Heidi Siebert Preul.
Ms. Simonis is beginning her 10th year as a special education teacher in the Antigo Unified School District and she is someone who truly lives and breathes her school mantra, "Antigo Pride".
"As the Special Eucation Director in Antigo, I have had the privilege of working with Wendra on a regular basis to support her as she works to improve the lives of her students with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities," Siebert Preul said. "She works day in and day out to create inclusive environments within the middle school so that her students have the best possible opportunities to learn alongside their peers. What is truly amazing, is her effect on the hearts and minds of her colleagues, changing the 'your' student attitude, to these are 'our' students."
When Siebert Preul walks into Ms. Simonis' classroom, nine times out of ten, her room is dark, as they are participating in regular education. These students are not on the periphery of the classrooms either; they are members. They use accommodations and modifications so that they truly feel a part of the classrooms with their peers, learning alongside of them.
Ms. Simonis is a leader not only at the middle school, but also within the district and community. She was instrumental in the development of the WEB Backpack initiative and her leadership has been vital in building community partnerships to help sustain the program for her school's students. This program fills and sends home food every weekend for approximately 200 students in the Antigo School District throughout the school year. "We are entering the third year of this initiative and it is growing, partly due to Wendra's leadership and passion," Siebert Preul said.
Being a new special education administrator, Siebert Preul learned early on that Ms. Simonis was and is committed to providing leadership throughout her district in moving students forward. She is a member of the district special education leadership team, a member of the district PBIS team (as well as on the building level team), and has recently begun a master's program in educational leadership. She brings knowledge and experience in a no-nonsense way to these leadership teams.
Ms.Simonis stands out as someone who has high moral and ethical standards through her position as educator but also throughout her actions in the community. "One example that I believe shows not only her ethical/moral standards, but also her leadership abilities, is her switching positions in the middle of the 2016-17 school year due to a need that we had," Siebert Preul said. "She left her position of 9 years at West Elementary and took over the ID program at the middle school and turned it around in a matter of months. She set the tone, brought a sense of stability and knowledge to the program and garnered the respect of her students and staff in a short amount of time."
She garners the respect of everyone she comes in contact with due to her passion for students, her dedication to continuous learning, and her commitment to the community of Antigo.
"I hope that through my description of Wendra, it has become evident that she is not only an extraordinary educator but a phenomenal person. While I didn't specifically describe how Wendra is committed to a nurturing atmosphere, I don't believe that she would have the amount of respect that she has from students, parents and community if she didn't 'live' this ideal. She has high expectations for ALL of her students, but each child is cared for as if he or she was her own. Her student's parents know that she is accessible and available and that they are partners in the child's education," Siebert Preul said.
Wendy and I have worked together on a variety of things. She is amazing, hard working and ALWAYS puts children first. Not only does she work tirelessly with her student during the school year, but she also works during the summer school program, and in conjunction with the Boys and Girls Club, and even selling strawberries at a local farm. She is on more committees than I can count, and is one of the first to volunteer for more. From social gatherings-to encourage and help her friends/staff, to ensuring all students learn at high levels-I can't think of anyone else more deserving of this award. She is my colleague, my role model and most importantly my friend.
Wendy is a game changer. The amount of time Wendy puts in during and after school for the students, staff, and the community is second to none.
Wendy is a great advocate for all students and staff! Well deserving of this!
Wendy....Where do I even start? First of all, I don't believe this woman sleeps...EVER! She is so involved at so many levels, I don't even know where to begin. I've known Wendy for several years. She is a leader among leaders and is the most supportive person I know. She leads by example and is a constant burst of energy. Her patience with her students is amazing. She has high expectations and continues to encourage her students to reach their goals and strive to be better than ever. Her commitment to the community is amazing and never ends. She is involved with the weekend backpack program through the local food pantry and helps feed many families over the weekend. If there is ever a community event, expect Wendy to be there. She puts her whole heart and soul into everything she does and has a love for everything, including animals. We are blessed to have her not only as part of our educational team, but as a community leader!
A true leader. Not afraid to speak. Not afraid to do what is right for our kids. Works tirelessly in the community for good.
I look up to Mrs. Simonis. She is an inspiration.
Wendy is definitely the GO TO person - always stepping up to help out and make a difference in the lives of our students. She is very deserving of this nomination and, hopefully, the award. It is an honor to work with Wendy!
In my experiences with Simonis, I find her deserving of MANY school and life accolades.
I have worked with Wendy in several capacities over the years. She is truly dedicated to her students as well as the overall student body in the Antigo school system. Wendy knows how to get the most from her students. Her students feel respected and loved. When one is struggling with behavior concerns, Wendy works with the family and staff to get to the bottom of the problem. She will spend countless hours developing and tweaking a plan to make things better. She is well deserving of this honor.
I am new to the Antigo School District, but have already had an opportunity to work with and get to know Wendy. It is easy to see that she truly cares about her students and her profession!
Wendy is an amazing person and teacher. She always brings a positive attitude to whatever she is doing and never gives up.
I work with Wendy on our community/school Weekend Backpack Program. The program provides food staples for the weekend for children of need across our school district. Wendy has taken the lead, with others, to launch the program - and sustain it. She is compassionate, enthusiastic, dependable, and creative. She attends meetings and actively participates, she devotes time weekly to packing and ensuring the backpacks are distributed to the schools, and has tirelessly devoted and volunteered herself and her family. Wendy puts others before herself - and I congratulate her on this nomination! She is truly deserving of this award!
Wendy is a fantastic person, that is so selfless with her time and talents. She has a way of organizing people and getting them to perform towards the common goal. I love working with Wendra, she is kind, smart, organized and just a GREAT person!
Wendy is a dedicated teacher who goes the extra mile to give her students 110% everyday. She gives her all to support the school community as a leader and doer. Wendy makes great things happen to many and encourages the best in others.
Wendy is a game-changer. She leads by example and sets the bar high. She works tirelessly for the betterment of our students and our community. I admire her drive and determination. Wendy is a life changer - no doubt about it. Congrats on this nomination Wendy - you deserve it!
Antigo is fortunate to have Wendy as part of our team. She is a dedicated advocate for students. Even when she is not working at school (which isn't often) she is working in something for students, to better the community, or professional self. Thank you, Wendy, for all you do.
I have known Wendy for several years as a fellow parent and as a fellow teacher. She constantly works for her students and is a great addition to the community. It's hard to go anywhere in Antigo and not run into Wendy! Any kind of fundraiser or community event will find Wendy present. If she's not working for the event, she's attending it. She deserves this award!
There are so many extraordinary qualities in Wendy Simonis! She loves the work she does and loves each and every one of her students like her own. She strives to give every student the love, support, inspiration, guidance, and care they need. Wendy works endless hours on her own time preparing the classroom with materials to help enrich each student! She is tireless - always volunteering for various fundraisers and events, she is a true motivator and organizer. She is an important community member and we are all blessed to call Wendy a friend.
Much like Ms. Siebert Paul, I had the privlidge and honor of seeing Wendy at her best.
I was a regular education classroom teacher in which Wendy's students participated. Her ability to modify and accommodate for these students to interact with the curriculum along with their peers is by far the standard that all teachers should strive for.
Not only does she focus on her students but all students in the classroom. Her interaction promotes a "family like" feel as she knows students on a deep personal level and not just their name. She can talk to them about their problems and struggles while developing behavior changes and improvements. She has a knack for leading students to taking responsibility for themselves and their actions.
In addition, on a more personal level - Wendy is truely a great friend and person. Her ability to care is noticed inside the classroom but stems from strong personal character. I always knew who I could depend on no matter the situation, challenge, or defeat.
Wendy is deserving of this award for her dedication inside the classroom, inside our schools, and well beyond.
My husband and I had the privilege of having Wendy as an employee during her high school years in Dodgeville. She has remained a friend ever since. Wendy was always a leader and we could depend on her to train and lead her co workers in a positive way. I can't imagine a more deserving candidate for this award.
If you looked up "life changer" on the internet Wendy's picture would appear. She is one of the most dedicated, inspirational, hard working people I have ever met. She always focuses on ability rather than disability. Her compassion and sense of pride in not only her students and school but in our community is truly a blessing. She changes the lives of every person she comes in contact with, while remaining humble. She is a class act and someone I'm proud to call friend.
I got to know Wendy when her kids were little and she was still in school to become a teacher. It was obvious that, besides her family, was her passion. While going to school, Wendy was also involved in pretty much any and everything she could be at her children's school. And not half-heartedly....she was fully involved in all that was important. She made the rest of us parents look like slackers! Wendy has been through so much but remains focused on helping her students achieve the best that's possible for them, and not to settle for anything less. It's hard to imagine anyone other than Wendy Simonis who would be worthy of this honor!
This exemplifies who you are Wendy! Your passion to make every child count is contagious!
My mother, Wendy Simonis, is the most deserving person for this award. In every aspect of her life she strives to better the lives of everyone around her. She has dedicated all of her time to changing the lives of the students in her class and the students of the entire district. I have truly never known anyone more selfless and or more devoted to her community.
Wendy is an inspirational leader and mentor. She is not only changing the lives of her students but also her coworkers, family, and friends. Wendy demonstrates true compassionate and represents "Antigo Pride" in all she does!
I knew Wendra (Wendy), as she was known back at Dodgeville High School. Even then, she was truly a caring/giving person respected by her peers and teachers. I find the recommendation of Ms. Simonis for this award to be most appropriate.
Sincerely,
Dale F. Barstow
Secondary Business Education Teacher (Retired)
Dodgeville High School 1977--1994
I can't begin to express how well deserved this nomination is! Wendy is non-stop action all for the benefit and well being of others. If she sees a need, she is the first one to say "Let's get something going to fill this need!" Proper winter wear, getting backpacks filled with food to provide for hunger needs, endless community service...she is amazing! And all of this big heart is just as apparent in her role at school. She tirelessly provides the best for the children she works with every day. Her knack for making sure her students get only the best is an astounding thing to watch. The results are evident in the progress they make while in her class. Wendy is a true life changer!
Well written and VERY well deserved!
