UW-Oshkosh graduate Nicole Gardner named Milwaukee Brewers Grand Slam Teacher

Nicole Gardner, '25, who earned her master's degree in Literacy and Language from UW-Oshkosh, holds a $1,000 check presented to Howard Elementary School after being named a Milwaukee Brewers Grand Slam Teacher during a surprise schoolwide celebration. Joining her are Milwaukee Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger, recently-traded infielder Caleb Durbin, pitcher Chad Patrick, and Howard Elementary School Principal Kristin Ashley, along with the Brewers' Famous Racing Sausages.

University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh graduate Nicole Gardner, '25, was ushering her third-grade class into the gym at Howard Elementary School in Green Bay. The students settled onto the floor, buzzing with anticipation, when members of the Milwaukee Brewers entered the gym and the atmosphere shifted.

Moments later, Gardner heard her name.

Selected as a Milwaukee Brewers Grand Slam Teacher, Gardner, who earned her master's degree in Literacy and Language in 2025, stood stunned as her students cheered.

"I was shocked," she said. "There are so many good teachers here. I would have been so happy for any of them to get this award."

The celebration on Jan. 22 included Milwaukee Brewers President of Business Operations Rick Schlesinger, infielder Caleb Durbin (recently traded to the Boston Red Sox) and pitcher Chad Patrick, who presented Gardner with a giant $1,000 check for her school. Adding to the excitement, the Brewers' Famous Racing Sausages raced around the gym to the students' delight, turning an ordinary school day into one Gardner and her students won't soon forget.

The moment quickly became a shared celebration. After the announcement, Gardner's students rushed forward with hugs.

"I told them, 'You're a Grand Slam class,'" she said. "This is why we got this."

For Gardner, a Green Bay native who has spent nine years teaching second and third grade, the recognition offered a rare moment of reassurance.

"This award has helped affirm that I am making a difference at my school and in the lives of my students," she said. "Teaching is incredibly challenging work, and so often you don't immediately see or feel the impact you're having. This was definitely the reminder that I needed."

That perspective connects back to Gardner's graduate experience at UW-Oshkosh, where she intentionally sought out a program that allowed her to continue teaching while learning alongside other educators in person.

"I was initially drawn to the Literacy and Language program at UW-Oshkosh because it offered in-person learning opportunities during the summer and after school," Gardner said. "I valued the chance to build meaningful relationships with both peers and instructors through rich class discussions, rather than working in isolation. Those connections made the learning experience far more engaging and impactful."

That collaborative, discussion-based environment helped Gardner grow not only as a literacy educator, but as a leader within her school.

"Nicole's thoughtful contributions to class continually reflected her strong commitment to helping her students grow as readers," said Bailey Herrmann, Ph.D., professor of literacy and graduate coordinator for Literacy and Library Media in the School of Education and Human Services.

Gardner said the program strengthened her confidence to share literacy strategies with colleagues and think more intentionally about how reading and language shape every part of the school day.

As part of her graduate coursework at UW-Oshkosh, Gardner completed a capstone project that challenged her to design a two-year literacy improvement plan for her school. Working with her principal, literacy coach and interventionists, she used multiple data sources to identify strengths and areas for growth in literacy instruction.

The project focused on rethinking independent reading time to foster a genuine love of reading beyond the classroom. Since its implementation, each grade level has received funding to refresh classroom libraries with high-interest books, and the school has shifted its messaging from "Read 20" to Readers Are Leaders, reframing reading as a lifelong habit rather than a homework task.

Making a difference

Looking ahead, Gardner and her colleagues hope to partner with the local library to offer a student field trip and a family literacy night, continuing to build a culture of reading that reaches beyond the school day.

Inside Gardner's classroom, literacy is woven into everything. Each day includes dedicated independent reading time, when students choose their own books and settle in.

"My students don't read because they have to - they read because they want to," Gardner said. "Real readers read anything, anywhere, anytime, just for the joy of it. In our room, every spare minute becomes reading time. If there's a free moment, there's probably a book open."

Some of her favorite moments come when students finish their work early and instinctively pull out a book, or when they reach milestones that once felt out of reach. Gardner lights up when talking about third graders finishing their first chapter books.

"That's a big deal," she said. "You can tell when they've really read it, not just skimmed it, and they're so proud."

Titan impact

Even with the celebration and recognition, Gardner is quick to point out that teaching doesn't end when the school day does.

"I hope people understand that teaching isn't a job you can simply turn off at the end of the day," she said. "The work doesn't stop when the bell rings. I am constantly thinking about my students - their learning, their growth - and reflecting on how I can continue to better myself as an educator to serve them well."

When she offers advice to current and future UW-Oshkosh education students, it reflects the same values that guided her own path.

"Approach every experience with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others," Gardner said. "There is always more to learn and teaching is not a profession we can do alone. The connections, collaboration and support you build along the way truly make all the difference."

Then she laughed, adding, "Oh, and make friends with the secretaries and janitors at your school; they are true lifesavers!"

Above all, she hopes her students leave her classroom knowing they mattered.

"If my students take away anything from my class - besides a love for reading - I hope they carry with them the knowledge of how deeply I cared for each of them," Gardner said. "I want them to remember that they were seen, valued and believed in every single day, and that they always had someone in their corner cheering them on."

Learn more:

Study Literacy and Language at UWO
School of Education and Human Services at UWO