Three WEAC-Members Selected 2026 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year

Three members of the Wisconsin Education Association Council have been named 2026 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year by the state Department of Public Instruction. The group received the honor for their dedication to the education profession and for the impact they have on their students as learners and individuals.

“WEAC members are dedicated to our students, education excellence and Wisconsin Public Schools, so it’s especially inspiring when our members are recognized for the work we do,” said Peggy Wirtz-Olsen, a teacher and WEAC president. “WEAC is so proud of these dedicated and caring teachers.”

The 2026 WEAC-member Wisconsin Teachers of the Year are:

• Joel Coyne, Sun Prairie Education Association, a business education teacher at Sun Prairie East High School
• Tara Fink, Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association, a second-grade teacher at Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School
• Lisa Van Hefty, Mishicot Education Association, a special education teacher at O.H. Schultz Elementary School

State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said, “These teachers are shining examples of excellence, and I am incredibly proud to call them our 2026 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year.”

Read more about each of the 2026 Wisconsin Teachers of the Year on the DPI website.