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"Opening doors
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Andy Tauber of Sun Prairie, pictured with teacher Kelly McMahon of Milwaukee |
Expertise, experience, humor open doors to the future
What are your plans when you do decide to retire? I'll begin by doing every sort of service job I had a student do, and work on a documentary about living on minimum wage. What is your best childhood memory? Being worry-free. Family matters: My wife, Liz, is an elementary reading teacher at Glendale Elementary School in Madison. My daughter, Lindsey, 23, holds a bachelor's degree from Carleton College in Minnesota and is completing a master's degree from UW-Milwaukee. My son, Jacob, 21, is a student at UW-Madison who is studying this year at Tokyo International University . Right now, what are you reading? “The Lonely Planet Guide to Japan.” |
Andy Tauber is an advocate for the students with exceptional education needs (EEN) that he works with every day. As the vocational transition coordinator at Sun Prairie High School, he combines his expertise in psychology with experience and a bit of humor to open doors to the future.
A Special Olympics volunteer who does part-time work for Dane County Adult Services, Tauber is simply committed to helping others succeed.
Research shows that fewer than 40% of EEN students nationally are employed five years after high school, and many more are underemployed. Those are statistics that Tauber fights to change each day when he goes to work. “Helping students explore the world of work and post-high school education is essential to helping our students become a functioning part of our community and live as fulfilling a life as possible,” he said. “There is nothing more important than helping students feel they can be successful after high school. Many students feel disenfranchised by school. We try to show them there can be success in the world of work.”
Tauber, who has garnered 27 years of teaching experience in a variety of settings, knows there are many factors that shape what students can become. He works to build awareness beyond the schoolhouse doors in many ways, including by staying active in his local, UniServ and WEAC. He is a building representative at his school and a past president of the Sun Prairie Education Association; a board representative for Capital Area UniServ – South; and a member of the WEAC statewide Political Action Committee.
Tauber's career began just as community-based inclusionary special education legislation was being enacted. “I'm proud to have had a hand in shaping the current system,” he said. “Unfortunately, I've only seen one special education teacher start and finish a career in the field – she worked 37 years. I'm hoping to just get close!”
WEAC’s Great Schools Member Spotlight features WEAC members who are making a difference in the lives of others every day in their schools and communities. Member Spotlight profiles appear on OnWEAC, and one profile is selected each month for the OnWEAC In Print newspaper. To submit a suggestion for a Member Spotlight candidate, send an e-mail to the WEAC Public Relations Department.
Posted November 15, 2007
