Overview: The Lake Mills Rotary Club is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating outstanding educators who make a significant impact in the Lake Mills Public and Private Schools. Our Teacher of the Month program aims to honor exceptional teachers, encourage excellence in education, and foster a strong connection between the community and local schools.

Objective: To recognize and reward two exceptional teachers each month for their dedication, innovation, and positive influence on students.  One teacher will be recognized from the Lake Mills Area School District staff, and one teacher will be recognized from a combination of the St. Paul’s and Lakeside Lutheran staff.

Recognition Process

1. Nomination Period
   • Eligibility: Teachers from Lake Mills Public and Private Schools are eligible for the Teacher of the Month program.
   • Nomination Window: Nominations are open from the 1st to the 15th of each month. Submissions received after the 15th will be considered for the following month.
2. How to Nominate
   • Nomination Forms: Available on the Lake Mills Rotary Club website and each of the schools’ websites (Lake Mills Area School District, Lakeside Lutheran, and St. Paul’s.)
   • Submission Methods: Nomination forms can be submitted online via the Google forms found on each of the schools’ websites.
   • Required Information: Nominators must provide the teacher’s name, school, grade level, and a detailed explanation of why they believe this teacher deserves recognition. Personal anecdotes, specific examples of the teacher’s impact, and contributions to the school community are encouraged.
3.  Selection Process
   • Review Committee: A committee composed of Rotary Club members, school administrators, and community representatives will review nominations.
   • Criteria: Teachers will be evaluated based on their dedication, innovation, student engagement, and positive impact on the school community.
   • Announcement: The selected Teacher of the Month will be announced on the third Tuesday of each month via the Rotary Club’s website, social media channels, and local news outlets.
4. Recognition and Awards
   • Certificate of Excellence: The honored teacher will receive a Certificate of Excellence from the Lake Mills Rotary Club.
   • Public Recognition: A special presentation will be made at a Rotary Club meeting, with the teacher’s nominator invited to attend. The teacher will also receive lunch, $200, an oil change, and various gift certificates as a token of appreciation.
   • Celebration: The Rotary Club will organize a small celebration at the end of the school year to honor a Teacher of the Year from the pool of those who received a Teacher of the Month award.  This person will receive $500.
5. Ongoing Engagement
   • Feedback: Collect feedback from teachers, students, and parents to continually improve the program.
   • Community Involvement: Encourage community members to attend the recognition events and participate in nominating outstanding educators.

The Lake Mills Rotary Club looks forward to celebrating the dedicated educators who shape the future of our community. Your participation in this program helps acknowledge and reward the incredible work being done in our schools.