Sally Jo Michalko Lifetime Excellence in Education Award

The Waukesha Education Foundation, Inc., is seeking to recognize individuals who have made a significant contribution to education in the School District of Waukesha. This award was named in Sally Jo Michalko’s honor in 2017 to recognize her life of service as a first-grade teacher for 31 years and an administrator for 7 years in the School District of Waukesha, as well as for her leadership roles for the Waukesha Education Foundation, Inc. and Plowshare Fair Trade Market, and many other civic and professional organizations.

You can gain an appreciation for what it takes to receive this award as exemplified by the recipients since 2013:

Sally Jo Michalko Lifetime Excellence in Education Award Recipients

2023 - Joseph "Joe" Como, Jr., Waukesha Board of Education and WEF Board

2022- William "Bill" Baumgart, Waukesha Board of Education

2021- Diane Voit, Former SDW Educator, Waukesha Board of Education and WEF Board

2020 - Dr. Todd Gray, Former SDW Superintendent of Schools

2019 - Barbara Brzenk, SDW Educator, Principal and Waukesha Board of Education

2018 - Amy Lange, School District of Waukesha

2017 - John Schoenknecht, Historian

2015 - Kristine K. Diener, Technology Leader & Mark Bailey, Special Educator

2014 - David DeRemer, Horowitz Planetarium & Daniel E. Warren, Waukesha School Board

2013 - Mark J. Helgert, Butler Director of Bands & Bonnie Schlais, Hillcrest Principal