Eduspeak

In 2022, Brookfield East student Hannah Christianson pitched the idea of Unified Sports to her school leadership, pairing students with and without disabilities to work together through sports. This expanded to include both high schools and would continue to grow beyond just high school basketball. The program has been just as influential to the students without disabilities as it has to those with. Fast forward to 2025 and it’s clear this isn’t just halftime. This is the main event.

On November 21, 2024, amidst a giant snow storm, Wisconsin and national government and educational representatives met at Brookfield Elementary School for a ceremonial signing event to celebrate the new program and its first cohort of student-teachers. Featuring Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) Secretary Amy Pechacek, Matthew Jacobson (Elmbrook/Wisconsin's Pioneer Teacher Apprentice), Deputy Administrator Megan Baird (US Department of Labor), David Polk (DWD), and Aurora Pitel (Wauwatosa Teacher Apprentice) If you’re interested in learning more about the Wisconsin Teacher Apprenticeship Program - visit the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's website at dwd.wisconsin.gov/

The concept of The Elmbrook Promise the District’s commitment to offering students the opportunity to access 30 college credits before graduation through an extensive list of Advanced Placement courses, on-campus dual credit courses, off-campus options. And some students have even completed certificates and degrees before leaving high school.

Joined by Alyssa Budish, Maggie Feng, and Clare Marchant - we discuss how collaborative student leadership across sports helped create a positive culture within sports and across the greater school community of Brookfield Central

When Renae Higgins (Brookfield Central ‘23) began her college education in the Fall of 2023, she may have been new to her campus but she was just two credits shy of Junior status at UW-Milwaukee. By taking advantage of the Elmbrook Promise, which strives to make at least 30 college credits available to every Elmbrook student before graduation, Renae had a total of 54 credits toward her degree, which will vastly speed up her path to a degree in Art Education. Read more here.

Dr. Mark Hansen (Elmbrook Superintendent & 2024 Wisconsin Superintendent of the Year) and Jennifer Johnson (Elmbrook Benefits and Wellness Coordinator) talk about educating employees to be good healthcare consumers & the unique partnership with Everside Health that has saved the District money to put back into the classroom.

This episode discusses school cultures rooted in growth and positivity with the 2024 National Secondary Principal of the Year (NASSP), Andy Farley of Brookfield East High School. We also talk about how the HOPE Squad initiative came to be in order to help prioritize student mental health.

Mekenna Ellis (Director of Early Literacy) & Cindy Stemper (1st Grade Teacher) discuss what the recent transition to Science-Based Reading means and its early impact in the classroom. Elmbrook uses the Science of Reading, MyView Literacy, and other resources.

A discussion with Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning Emily Grieber, & Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning Lisa Rettler on the recent social studies curriculum renewal process.

Kristin Sobocinski, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services explains Elmbrook Schools long-term capital planning strategy that has allowed them to make over $50 million in capital improvements without going to referendum.

Discussing the Educator Effectiveness model for teacher growth.  With Matt Schroeder (Principal of Wisconsin Hills Middle School), Nathan Knuth (Visual Art Teacher at WHMS) & Sarah Leatherman (Talent Acquisition Specialist - Elmbrook Schools)

An overview of the year-long process of constructing the District's entire budget and all the factors that go into its immense undertaking. With Kristin Sobocinski, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services & Amy McBain, Director of Finance Eduspeak is a podcast by Elmbrook Schools (Brookfield, WI)