Amy Uelmen, Pulaski Community School District director of Instructional Technology, was selected to receive this year’s Professional of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association.
The WEMTA noted Uelmen’s “hard work and dedication to the creation of a strong library media and technology program at Pulaski schools, along with her service to WEMTA, has made her a worthy recipient of this award.”
Uelmen will be honored at the group’s annual conference awards luncheon on March 7.
“I can’t think of a more well-deserving recipient of this award than Amy Uelmen,” said PCSD Supt. Allison Space. “Amy is masterful and intentional in how she collaboratively works side-by-side with her colleagues to drive continuous improvement in our library media programs as well as instructional technology! The blend of her love of learning as well as her passion for technology is evident in all she does!”
Jennifer Gracyalny, PCSD executive director of Teaching and Learning, nominated Uelmen for the award. “Amy is an intuitive and knowledgeable educator, who is well respected by her colleagues for all of her contributions to the education profession.”
Uelmen has helped move the district forward in advancing the use of technology by staff and students. “She has led Pulaski Community School District in being innovative as we adopt and integrate technology, devices and tools into classrooms through the integration of the Information and Technology Literacy Standards (ITLS) with our content standards,” Gracyalny said. Uelmen led major projects in the district including the 1:1 iPad program, modernizing library media centers, and, currently, in redesigning classrooms to help provide flexible learning environments that meet the needs of today’s students.
Uelmen has served on the District Literacy Committee, as a Big Six Trainer, Curriculum Mapping Trainer, Lexile Workshops Trainer, District Technology Committee, among others. She has been a presenter and/or instructor at the Scholastic Literacy Leaders Institute, Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association (WEMTA) Conference, UW-Oshkosh Technology Integration Courses and SLATE.
In 2013, PCSD was honored as an Apple Distinguished Program due to Uelmen’s leadership with the district’s model classrooms and cutting-edge tech integration for staff and students, Gracyalny noted. She also is a 2005 winner of the Green Bay Partners in Education Golden Apple Award.
Uelmen earned a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism Education from UW-Eau Claire and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from UW-Oshkosh. She previously served as PCSD Instructional Technology coordinator; PCSD Library Media Specialist; English teacher at Neenah High School and an English and journalism teacher at Campbellsport High School. She is an adjunct professor at Viterbo University.