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Parker teacher is PTA teacher of the year

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Deri D. Wahlert

JANESVILLE — Parker High School would not be the kind of place it is today if not for Deri Wahlert. And that’s after just three years of teaching here.

Wahlert organized Parker’s Gay Straight Alliance. She is advisor to the National Honor Society. She founded the Parker Closet this year. Parker Closet helps students living in poverty with basics such as clothing and school supplies.

She spends hours on the phone with local businesses, trying to get donations to the Parker Closet, according to an application submitted to the state PTA.

She’s also known as a hard-working, creative teacher who connects with students.

The PTA was impressed. It named Wahlert its state teacher of the year.

The honor is especially meaningful because students’ comments determine who is selected for the state application, said Lori Long, president of the Parker Parent Teacher Student Association.

Students and staff alike respect Wahlert as a teacher who goes the extra mile, according to letters submitted with her nomination.

Fellow teacher Kate Bennett wrote that “as a ninth-year educator who coordinates a co-curricular (activity) and has been involved in many activities at Parker, Deri has motivated me to ‘step it up’ and get more involved in our students’ lives.

“If every school in Wisconsin had a teacher like Deri, we truly would have great schools!”

Other comments were equally complimentary:

-- “Ms. Wahlert makes an effort to connect with each student and will remember the smallest detail about her students. She is committed to diversity and teaching tolerance for the differences of others … Deri has a heart of gold and will do anything for her students and staff.”

—Melissa Baier, teacher

-- “She is a caring teacher who is really helpful and understands kids. … She takes things slow and wants to make sure everyone knows the information.”

—Brittany Beggs, student

-- “Her devotion to developing authentic and creative lessons every single day amazes me. She spends countless hours more than the most dedicated educators to provide the very best lessons for her students.”

—Kate Bennett, teacher

-- “She is nice to everyone and supports students. She gives good advice and is easy to talk to.”

—Allison Krickl, student

-- “She has displayed a caring for students greater than many veteran teachers. … Her first priority is kids and making sure they have a positive learning experience. She helps them understand the value of an education, because she understands its value.”

—Steve Schroeder, principal

-- “She thinks of her students as people, and she helps out the school and the community.”

—Mike Mayfield, student

Parker teachers win prize four years running

A Parker High School teacher has been named state PTA teacher of the year four years running now.

How does Parker do it?

“I’m not quite sure,” said Lori Long, president of Parker’s Parent Teacher Student Association. “We submit just like anybody else.”

One reason might be that most PTAs don’t nominate a teacher. State PTA President Penny Larson said fewer than 20 applications are submitted in most years.

“I would attribute their winning so often to just the persistence of sending them in every year and carefully reading the application and answering the questions,” Larson said.

“If there were 20 applicants or 50 or more applicants, each one of our state teachers of the year was very deserving of the honor,” said Principal Steve Schroeder. “I would put the qualifications of these teachers at the highest level. Each one goes above and way beyond the typical work day of 7:45-3:45 to help kids be successful.”

Previous Parker winners were English teachers Crystal Callison and Sara Heiss and business teacher John Zimmerman.