A Year in Our Schools: Reflections from 2025 School Visits
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
This past year was about showing up, learning, and listening in schools and libraries across Wisconsin. From Ashland to Milwaukee, and from small, rural districts to large, urban schools, these visits created meaningful opportunities to connect with students, educators, librarians, families, and community partners and see the impactful work happening across the state firsthand.
These visits are an important part of implementing the DPI’s strategic plan, which focuses on creating fair, meaningful, and lasting learning experiences for students while strengthening schools, communities, and libraries. That shared vision guided conversations throughout the year and helped shape what we heard and learned along the way. By listening to local needs and challenges and learning from success stories, the DPI ensures its work remains grounded in the everyday experiences of educators and students across the state.
Whether the conversation focused on early literacy, college and career readiness, innovative learning practices, or new instructional approaches, it is clear that meaningful learning happens when schools meet students where they are and create welcoming environments where every learner can succeed.
As we begin 2026, these visits will continue to inform how DPI aligns its work with the needs of schools, libraries, and communities to elevate public education across the state.
Below are just a few highlights of the 2025 visits; follow Dr. Jill Underly and the DPI on Facebook to stay connected in the year ahead!
As part of Career and Technical Education month in February, Dr. Underly visited several schools to learn more about their CTE Programs, including the school districts of Unity, La Crosse, De Pere, Kenosha, Oregon, and Marshfield—where, pictured above, she talked to students about their experience in the automotive shop.
At Oregon High School, Dr. Underly visited a construction site where students get experience building a house from the ground up.
At West Salem High School, Dr. Underly spoke with Tatiana Wolf, School Social Worker, about her key priorities for addressing student mental health. View the full video.
Dr. Underly celebrated Mahone Middle School in Kenosha Unified School District, winner of the DPI’s Stewardship and Sustainability Award. Mahone’s Eco Club, run by two eighth grade students, focuses on efforts to reduce plastic waste and is planning a pollinator project to bring bees and butterflies to school grounds.
The Ashland School District welcomed Dr. Underly for visits to the elementary and high schools.
At Lac Du Flambeau Public School, Dr. Underly saw a number of hands-on opportunities, including birchbark art and an Ojibwe dwelling, handcrafted by students. She is pictured, above, with Lac du Flambeau Superintendent Josh Ernst, holding Ojibwe birchbark.
Another highlight of the year was celebrating Wisconsin’s educators. Dr. Underly visited Milwaukee, Mishicot, Greenfield, Darlington, and Sun Prairie to recognize outstanding educators. She is pictured, above, with 2026 Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Mark Acherman, from Darlington Community School District.
Dr. Underly kicked off the new 2025-26 school year at Browning Elementary, in the Milwaukee Public School District.
