South Now, a Hales Corners newspaper featured Wisconsin’s first-ever Private School Teacher of the Year announcement.

Jana Horn, the science teacher at Hales Corners Lutheran School was surprised with the new award during a student assembly, leaving the veteran teacher nearly speechless with delight from the honor.

Jana was interviewed by the paper, along with school principal, Albert Amling and WCRIS Executive Director Sharon Schmeling.

Jana was selected from among the pool of 14 WCRIS 2016 Kohl Teacher Fellowship winners. An independent, state-wide panel reviewed the 14 winners’ applications to identify the recipient of this new award. She received a plaque from WCRIS and an unrestricted award of $3,000 from the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation.

WCRIS administrators will be able to meet Jana on February 10 at the 2017 WCRIS Leadership Conference at the Country Springs in Pewaukee. You can read more about Wisconsin’s Private School Teacher of the Year here: https://www.wcris.org/wcris-announces-first-ever-private-school-teacher-year/

The state’s new Civics Test Graduation Requirement applies to students who graduate in 2017 or later. The requirement was created by the Legislature in the 2015-17 biennial budget. It applies ONLY to choice schools. However, all students in a choice school must meet the requirement, even if they are not using a voucher to attend the school.

For more information about completing this requirement and for help from WCRIS select “Read More” below.

The Wisconsin Council of Religious & Independent Schools (WCRIS) is looking for an energetic self starter with time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple tasks on deadline to work as our Administrative Assistant.

This role will work on various projects concurrently and balance time between scheduled duties and independent work for our statewide organization of 600 schools enrolling 100,000 students.

This position will perform traditional office functions associated with reception, clerical, administrative, financial and member relations duties, and assist in all activities of the organization, as needed.

We need someone who is willing to become a key partner in helping provide services to our member schools by managing databases, developing spread sheets, online surveys and e-letters, web page maintenance, scheduling, membership mailings, bookkeeping, simple research, assist with annual conference logistics, and anything else that will help our schools thrive.

Wisconsin has one of the largest enrollments of private K-12 school children in the country and you will be working with the premier organization that advocates on their behalf with state and federal lawmakers. We are a continuous learning organization that values creativity and initiative and wants to help you grow.

This is a part-time (20 hr) per week position but has the potential to become full-time as the association increases its activities over the next few years. We offer competitive wages, 7% retirement contribution (no match required); pro-rated paid holidays, vacation and sick-time; and a Capitol Square office location with a built-in coffee shop, deli and a monthly bus pass or free parking.

Requirements
–At least a two-year degree, or comparable experience, in an area related to this position.
–Demonstrated experience with independent or religious K-12 schooling.
–Knowledge of Word/Outlook/Excell; database and website content management systems; Survey Monkey; Mail Chimp, etc ,or the willingness to learn.
–Knowledge of or interest in education-related public policy and the Wisconsin legislative process.

To apply, send a cover letter and your resume, including salary expectations to Sschmeling@wcris.org.