KAUKAUNA – Two Kaukauna Area School District teachers were surprised Thursday as recipients of the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce’s 2026 Excellence in Education Shining Star Awards.
Tim Roehrig, Kaukauna High School social studies teacher, and Elly Hixon, 4K teacher at New Directions Learning Community, are among the 10 winners in the Fox Cities.
Roehrig was surprised Thursday in his classroom when he walked in. Current and former colleagues, family, and friends were all there to celebrate him, according to a social media post. (PHOTOS)
Roehrig is known for the strong connections he builds with students and for the way he shows up for kids, in the classroom and beyond. He’s also a recently retired state champion softball coach and his impact on KHS goes far beyond academics.
Hixon was surprised in her 4K classroom at NDLC with her family there to celebrate, including her husband, their two boys and her parents. (PHOTOS)
Hixon is recognized as an outstanding educator who truly loves her students, and it shows in the way she supports them, encourages them and builds a classroom full of joy and belonging.
Nearly 250 nominations were received from school districts across the Fox Cities, including 29 from the Kaukauna Area School District.
Announced last month, Kaukauna Area School District nominees included:
Alexander Juneau
Amy Xiong
Antonio Flores
Elly Hixon
Eric Vander Loop
Greg Franzenki
Heather Browne
Jacob Hansel
Jacqui Jenkins
Janel Englebert
Jennie Gries
Jennifer Domack
Jennifer Neumann
Jon Vandewettering
Kathryn Piper
Kevin Meyer
Kristin Warden
Lindsey Kruchoski
Matt Dale
Michael Frost
Michael Vanderscheuren
Nicole Beck
Nicole Hochholzer
Riley Knaack
Robert VanderHeiden
Sharon Boehme
Taylor Kloehn
Tim Roehrig
Vicki Marquette
View the full list of nominees: https://bit.ly/3Ye2K05.
This year’s ten award recipients will be formally recognized and receive their awards at the Chamber’s Excellence in Education Awards Program at DoubleTree by Hilton, Neenah on March 12. Learn more about the event, and buy tickets at https://members.foxcc.net/chamber-events/Details/2026-excellence-in-education-awards-1433792?sourceTypeId=Website.
