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From the Department of Public Instruction
Kendra Naef, a teacher at Kimberly High School, is the 2007 American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences National Teacher of the Year.
“Kendra makes a tremendous impact in her classroom,” said State Superintendent Elizabeth
Burmaster. “We recognized Kendra as an outstanding educator in 2005 when she was one of just two
Milken Family Foundation National Educators named in Wisconsin. This additional honor further
demonstrates her devotion to students and their learning.”
The Teacher of the Year Award is presented in recognition of exemplary family and consumer
sciences education programs. Naef was selected for her P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program, which pairs
cognitively disabled and regular education students to develop positive social and academic
relationships. Students cooperatively contribute to all aspects of the P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. Sundae Shoppe, an
in-school business designed to promote career and technical skills and knowledge to special populations.
In addition to her teaching practice, Naef serves as the content area facilitator for family and
consumer sciences for the Kimberly Area School District as well as on several other committees in the
school and district. She delivers presentations at professional conferences and has served as a resource
presenter for several University of Wisconsin-Madison graduate courses.
Naef will be recognized at the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
Association’s annual conference June 21-24 in Nevada. During the conference, she will present
information about her P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program at a “Curriculum Showcase” and during the “Research
to Practice Rounds.”
Naef is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Prior to teaching in Kimberly, she served as an adjunct instructor in early childhood education at Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. She is working on combined master’s and doctorate degrees in Family and Consumer Science Education at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa.
“Naef developed her P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S. program about eight years ago to decrease stereotypes,
develop positive peer attitudes and advocacy for individuals with special needs, and create a more
harmonious school culture,” Burmaster said. “Her standards-based instruction gives all students multiple
opportunities to increase the quality of their learning. Kendra is a dedicated teacher and will be an able
spokesperson for family and consumer science throughout her term as National Teacher of the Year.”
Posted May 11, 2007