BY KRIS LEONHARDT
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The Greater Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce recently surprised its 2024 Golden Apple recipients in their classrooms. The local teachers were recognized in the areas of professionalism, leadership and innovation.
Leading up to the April recognition event, the Press Times is highlighting these eight honorees.
GREEN BAY – “The most important thing about being an educator is the ability to impact lives every single day,” said Pulaski Pulaski Community Middle School Agriscience Teacher Kaleb Santy. “The most important thing about being an educator is the ability to impact lives every single day. The longer I teach the more evident this truth becomes. Each day at school can either be the best day or worst day for one of your students. The true power of teaching is in realizing this and harnessing it for good.”
Santy has had 13 years of teaching to discover ways to do that.
One of the UW-River Falls graduate’s techniques in creating a positive and productive culture in his classroom is through a “Greenhouse Plant Sale” unit.
“It showcases my deep subject matter knowledge in agriculture and environmental science, actively engaging students in real-life problem-solving, finance and critical thinking. Operating a greenhouse in Wisconsin’s winter demands practical understanding of botany, climate and sustainable practices. Growing diverse plants indoors requires continuous learning, influencing plant selection and growing techniques, particularly focusing on native perennials that enhance soil and support local pollinators,” he explained.
Santy said that he was fortunate to have “an incredible set of teachers in school” who inspired his love of learning
“The early grades were difficult for me as I was dyslexic and had ADHD,” he recalled. “My behavioral challenges pushed my teachers to decide each day if they wanted to help me or not. Once I found Agriscience and FFA it all changed. I found a content area that connected to everything and could help me in quenching my insatiable desire for knowledge. My FFA advisors showed me that I have potential and can be driven to do great things.
“My love of science and all things living coupled with my newly developed (and still developing) people skills made it obvious to me that I needed to serve my community as an Agriscience Teacher and FFA Advisor.
“Finally, my experiences as a Wisconsin State FFA vice president solidified my choice to be an educator. I majored in agricultural education with a minor in biology education at UW-River Falls. I consider myself lucky to have been one of those weird folks who never changed his major.
“I honestly feel like my career matters. What I do for and with students makes a difference. I am lucky to be able to help others do great things and I never have to second guess my purpose in life.”