April 19, 2024
Written by Todd Finkelmeyer
Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education announced an $11 million investment Thursday night to support Wisconsin educators.
These funds will expand innovative technology. University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Education Teacher Pledge program; invest in Early Career Education Research Institute; strengthens the important functions of ; teacher education centerwhich will be renamed the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center.
Longtime UW-Madison supporters and alumni Mary and Ted Kellner are donating $7 million to these efforts.
“The impact of these funds will impact educators, students and families across Wisconsin for years to come,” said Diana Hess, dean of the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a national education leader. he said. School ranked #1 in education ranking. “We are so grateful for the continued support of the Kellners and the generosity and vision of our many alumni and friends, including current and past members of our valued Board of Visitors. Much of what we do is , would not be possible without their support.”
Mary Kellner began her career as a classroom teacher with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1968 and a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1978 . She worked as a guidance counselor at Grafton School. She earned her Doctor of Education degree from Cardinal Stritch University in 2007 after she studied in the Mequon-Thiensville School District in suburban Milwaukee.
Kellner conducted research for her thesis at a high-achieving public elementary school in Milwaukee. She wanted to better understand cultural aspects such as leadership, collaboration, decision-making, compassion and respect, and how they influenced the school's success. Kellner has spent much of her past 20-plus years working with numerous nonprofit organizations including Next Her Door, The Nehemiah Project, Schools That Can Milwaukee, City Forward Collective, Pathways High, I Have a Dream Foundation, and more. I have spent my time doing volunteer work and board work. , to name a few examples. In addition, she leads the Kelben Foundation, a family philanthropic organization dedicated to improving education and health outcomes, providing college scholarships, and more.
“Working with schools and kids is a labor of love,” Kellner said. She said she first got involved in helping out with the city when she joined the Junior League of Milwaukee. This organization is dedicated to making a difference by empowering women and providing leadership training on how to impact their communities.
“Where I live in Mequon, my children have always had a great school system and great opportunities,” Kellner said. “Unfortunately, I found that there was a difference between what my kids were getting in school and what kids in the city weren't getting. That's what drove me to go to Milwaukee and Wisconsin. I decided I wanted to focus my efforts on finding ways to provide better education and more opportunities for children. Educational support is a job that feeds my soul.”
Ted Kellner earned a bachelor's degree in business from the University of California, Madison in 1969. He is a co-founder (1980) and former chairman and chief executive officer of the Milwaukee investment management firm Fiduciary Management.
The $11 million in new gifts, including $7 million in support from the Kellners, will have a significant impact on Wisconsin educators in the following ways:
Extend the Teacher Pledge
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Graduate School of Education Teacher Pledge, which first began supporting students in fall 2020, has been extended through the 2028-29 school year thanks to $8 million in new support, including $4 million from the Kellner family. It was decided that
This donor-funded program is dedicated to strengthening Wisconsin's educator workforce as the national teacher shortage continues to make headlines and challenge policymakers in search of solutions. The Teacher Pledge provides the equivalent of in-state tuition, fees, exams, and licensing costs to students who pledge to teach at least four years in a public or private school in Wisconsin, or three years in a high-needs subject area or school. pay the cost. district.
To date, 773 people have participated in Teacher Pledge, and this spring semester, 354 Pledge graduates are teaching in classrooms in 88 different public school districts and 14 private schools in Wisconsin.
Tasia Morgridge, a School of Education alumnus and longtime supporter of the School of Education and UW-Madison, along with her husband John, praised Hess' leadership in making the Teachers' Pledge a reality. Hess has served as dean since 2015, and she will step down from that position at the end of May.
“Princess Diana's mind worked in creative and visionary ways, and she had a great ability to bring ideas to life,” said a member of the Faculty of Education's Board of Visitors, making the extension of this pledge possible. said Tasia Morgridge, one of the donors. Morgridge made the comments during an on-campus farewell celebration for Hess at the Pyle Center on Thursday night, announcing the extension of her pledge.
Mr Morgridge added: “And one of Princess Diana's most successful projects is the Teachers' Pledge, which aligns with Princess Diana's desire to ensure that everyone who wants to become a teacher can become a teacher. … One of the reasons we were able to raise these new funds was our work as tribune to Princess Diana.”
Although the Teacher Pledge does not solve the teacher shortage by itself, it does encourage students to participate in their schools' teacher education programs. Increase the number of graduates who remain in Wisconsin to teach. We provide support to help graduates stay in the teaching profession for longer.
“Teachers’ Pledge is a dynamic program that will have a lasting impact on Wisconsin’s teacher workforce,” said alumnus Susan Shannon Engeliter, a generous supporter of the College of Education, including Teachers’ Pledge. said.
“Wisconsin Madison Graduate School of Education provided me with an outstanding education and opened doors that I could never have imagined during my undergraduate years,” said Scott, who earned degrees from both the School of Education (B.S. 1974) and the U.S. Engeleiter added. Wisconsin Law School (J.D., 1981). “I received all of my public education from kindergarten through high school in Wisconsin. It is critical that we continue to invest in our students, our university, and our state.”
To date, $33.3 million has been donated to support the Teacher Pledge. Last spring, a $5 million gift from Susan and James Patterson This allowed the school to extend the program through the 2026-27 academic year and set the stage for further extensions. In addition, all members of the school's Board of Visitors contributed to the Teacher Pledge.
These investments are already paying off, with Teacher Pledge participants reporting benefits from the program, including: Student debt will be reduced. Improved mental health through reduced financial stress.
Nick Hillman, a professor at the University of California, Madison, leads the university. Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Labis leading an effort to evaluate and study this pilot version of the Teacher Pledge to see if it can support efforts to build a stronger teacher workforce in Wisconsin and across the nation.
Support for early career education institutions
The School of Education is committed to supporting educators and their alumni far beyond the time students spend at UC Madison. This summer, from July 29th to August 1st, the school will host its third annual Early Career Education Institute (ECTI). This is an on-campus professional development opportunity specifically aimed at graduates with more than one year of her teaching experience.
The Institute will provide a $500 stipend and will also pay for up to three nights of lodging for all early career teachers so that they can easily return to the University of Wisconsin-Madison to participate in this special event. .
Participants in the multi-day program engage with educators in similar roles and subject areas, participate in enriching group learning experiences, learn from nationally recognized keynote speakers, and connect with faculty, staff, and alumni over meals and meals. , or take time to reconnect. social events.
a new report Educators in Wisconsin continue to leave the state workforce, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction announced on April 11. “At an astonishing rate” “An important issue that needs to be addressed is finding new teachers,” he said. Opportunities like ECTI are essential. Research shows that when new teachers are well supported through strong coaching and mentorship opportunities and connected to a strong professional community for young teachers, they stay in their jobs longer. Her 2023 ECTI attracted more than 100 participants, more than half of whom were alumni of her Teacher Pledge.
ECTI is made possible through the generosity of Messrs. Kellner and Propel and is sponsored by the School of Education's Mary T. Kellner Center for Teacher Education and the Office of Professional Learning and Community Education (PLACE).
Strengthen the activities of teacher education centers
$2 million in new funding from the Kellner family will honor Mary and her remarkable career by renaming the existing Teacher Education Center the Mary T. Kellner Teacher Education Center. These gifts will be used to strengthen the Center's larger purpose of advancing Wisconsin's ideals and advancing the teaching profession.
To this end, the Mary T. Kellner Center for Teacher Education serves as a hub for developing and implementing high-quality, research-based teacher education practices and policies. The center also continues to provide leadership and support to the School of Education's 15 teacher preparation programs, coordinate partnerships with local school districts, and collaborate with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and other state and national partners. Also serves as a liaison.
“An important part of our work is connecting research and practice, and we are excited about this new support that will help our center continue to improve and innovate in the area of teacher education.” said Tom Owenby, associate dean of the Faculty of Education. Director of the Mary T. Kellner Center for Teacher Education, Director of Teacher Education. “This center is a hub where research-based best practices can be developed and shared with educators in the field. This support from the Kellner family is appreciated by everyone from faculty and staff to students, alumni, and school- and community-based partners. people to accomplish this important work.”
These efforts align with Mary Kellner's long-standing focus on finding ways to provide quality education to as many children as possible.
“In Wisconsin, it is imperative that we have a strong teacher workforce so that all children can succeed,” Kellner said. “It is important that we help prepare future teachers and provide them with ongoing learning opportunities and professional development. We are also committed to new and better ways to teach and support our students. We have to keep looking and keep researching what works and what doesn't. All of these things are important and that's why we support the Faculty of Education.”