Wednesday, May 14, 2025
The school day started with a huge surprise for second-grade teacher Toni Fink on Wednesday, May 14. State and district representatives arrived at Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School to present her with a Wisconsin Teacher of the Year award.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction State Superintendent Jill Underly, MPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius, Milwaukee Board of School Directors President Missy Zombor, past Board President and District 1 Director Marva Herndon, and others joined Principal Marybell Nieves Harris in congratulating Fink. The entire student body was gathered in the gym, expecting a regularly scheduled assembly, when the surprise announcement was made as the teacher’s family waited behind the scenes.
Fink’s students shared their thoughts about why Fink was selected. “She always helps all of her students when they need it. She creates a warm, loving classroom, and she always cares,” Olive Medina said. 
Carter Lopez echoed the sentiment. “From the beginning of the school year to the end, she works hard with every student to make sure they improve in their own ways.”
The principal made it clear that Fink is special: “Relationship building is so important, and that’s something that I see she does every day, and that’s why her kids love her so much. They come back year after year because she touches each of their lives. She gets to know them more than just as students, but as actual children and as adults, and I think that is her magic.”
Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School offers an experience for students to learn English and Spanish simultaneously. The elementary school has two campuses, at 2765 S. 55th St. and 3575 S. 88th St.
Wisconsin annually selects five teachers of the year from around the state. On behalf of the entire district, congratulations to MPS’s own Teacher of the Year!