Two “Superhero Teachers” from the School District of La Crosse were each awarded a $250 grant to use in their classrooms, funded by the La Crosse Public Education Foundation’s Tom and Jean Heyt Thompson Endowment.

Ann Yehle

Jocelyn Buxton of Spence Elementary School and Ann Yehle of the Integrated Supports program were chosen in a random drawing from 37 nominations by parents, students and community members as part of the the District’s Spirit Week at the conclusion of the 2019-20 school year.

The District finished the year in virtual instruction mode, but Jocelyn and Ann were among the many superheroes who continued to engage their students and keep them focused on learning.

Ann teaches in the Integrated Supports program that serves students with complex academic needs. She was nominated by a colleague who said Ann was an unsung hero. “I believe that Ms. Yehle’s characteristics of kindness, patience, and goodness give her the greatest superpower of all, LOVE!!” 

Jocelyn Buxton

Jocelyn teaches 2nd grade at Spence Elementary School, and was nominated by four people, including two students. She was described as a teacher who “has the magic of making each child in her class feel loved and accepted exactly as they are.” Said one parent: “Thank you for loving our children, encouraging our children, building them up, motivating them, including all of them and teaching tolerance and kindness.”

Jean and Tom Thompson joined a small caravan traveling to the homes of the two teachers. They unfurled a “Superheroes” banner before awarding the special classroom grant funded through an LPEF endowment established by the couple to provide teacher recognition in the School District of La Crosse. Tom was a member of the Board of Education for 15 years. He and Jean were partners in the Thompson Animal Medical Center and have a proud record of community philanthropy.