Green Bay’s KoBao Kong is an Outstanding Educator

KoBao Kong, a career center coordinator at Green Bay East High School, and a member of the Green Bay Education Association, has been named a WEA Member Benefits and WEAC Outstanding Educator.

She will receive an award at the February 23 UW Badgers Women’s Hockey game against Ohio State at the LaBahn Arena in Madison. Kong will also be honored in front of the home crowd and on the video scoreboard above the ice.

“I really like to support students to help them find a career they are passionate about,” Kong said. “When I see my first-generation students’ eyes light up when they get accepted to college, and I know I played a role in empowering them and guiding them, that is what motivates me!”

Among other things, Kong helps students apply for college and prepares them to succeed. Often, the students she works with are from families that do not have first-hand experience with higher education or its processes.

“My favorite part of my work is helping my first-generation students apply for college, FAFSA, and taking students’ college acceptance pictures,” Kong said. “I am most proud when I am seeing my students being successful in their careers and in the community where I live in.”

Kong is a proud and highly active member of GBEA, WEAC and NEA. She has served on the WEAC Credentials and Elections Committee, the ESP Committee, and the ESP Mentor Committee. She has served as a GBEA Executive Board Member at Large, and as a Liaison for the GBEA Professional Learning Committee, and participated in NEA Coordinator Blended Learning, WEAC Summer Leadership Academy, and WEA Academy Equity Ambassador levels 1, 2, and 3. She is a winner of the Wisconsin Education Association Council Education Support Professional of the Year award.

Kong said, “It is important to be a member of my union because I get a seat at the table, and my voice is heard on benefits, working conditions, training, job security and equality.”

Do you or a Wisconsin public school employee you know deserve extra recognition as an Outstanding Educator? If so, complete this nomination form on the Wisconsin Badgers Athletic Department website. The form asks you to write a paragraph or two about what makes this educator stand out. Educators are welcome to nominate themselves.

The Outstanding Educator program is sponsored by the UW Athletic Department, WEA Member Benefits and WEAC.