WHS graduate Jeff Welch honored with a Gold Star for Outstanding Teaching

A Waukon area native has been awarded a Gold Star for his efforts in the classroom, but on the opposite side of the desk from that traditional award typically handed out for academic achievement.
Jeff Welch, a 1987 graduate of Waukon High School and the son of Margaret Welch and the late Robert Welch of Waukon, has been honored as one of 10 winners of the 2014 Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teaching in Black Hawk County. Welch is a sixth grade teacher at Bunger Middle School in Evansdale, part of the Waterloo Community School District.
The Gold Star Awards for Outstanding Teaching program, co-sponsored by the R.J. McElroy Trust and KWWL-TV, is in its 26th year. The program first grew out of an idea from the McElroy Trust to improve education in northeast Iowa by encouraging outstanding teachers and is designed to represent the hundreds of teachers who rise above everyday standards to help students achieve their fullest potential.
Welch was one of 531 teachers nominated from 1,316 sources for the award this year. Teachers were nominated by students, parents, community members and colleagues.
Andy Miehe, Principal of Bunger Middle School, reflected on Welch and his contributions to the lives and education of the students he teaches, saying, "In regards to Jeff…he is amazing. One of the truest tests of a teacher and their ability to connect with students, deliver content in an engaging manner, and truly challenge students is whether or not you would want your own kids in that teacher’s room. In Jeff’s case, the answer is a lightning quick 'YES'. I would put my kids in his room in a heart-beat.
"I have worked with Jeff for the past eight years and in that time he has taught every core subject (science, social studies, literacy and math) in the special education setting as well as the general education setting. He has run a chess club, music club and an after school group focused on math. He is the sixth grade team leader (like a department chair), and is a huge part of our Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports team. There is not one thing that takes place at Bunger that Jeff is not a part of and his being a part of it helps make Bunger great."
Welch received a surprise classroom visit from members of the Gold Star Award Committee while teaching one day in mid-April. Even more surprising were the family members who were "in on the secret" and were in attendance at that surprise visit and honoring as well. In addition to the award "hardware" bestowed upon Welch at that time, each Gold Star Award recipient also receives a $1,000 cash award.
In addition to their surprise classroom honoring, a program recognizing this year's Gold Star Teachers is scheduled for Tuesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls. The public is invited to attend that event. Tickets, which are free of charge, are necessary for admission and are available at www.GoldStarTeacher.com.