Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction

🐄🐮 You've heard of adopting highways, but what about cows?

Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin launched its Adopt a Cow program, hoping to moooootivate younger generations to look into careers in the dairy industry.

In America’s Dairyland, many children have never met a cow. Adopt a Cow wants to change that. Adopt a Cow gives urban and farm-country students alike a close-up look at dairy farming, inspiring imaginative connections with their adopted animals.

Let us know what you think of Portrait of a Graduate!

The success of Portrait of a Graduate depends on hearing from people in every corner of Wisconsin.

We want students, families, educators, employers, and community members to help shape Wisconsin’s future. Click the link or scan the QR Code and enter code 415-909-558 and enter to take our survey to let us know your thoughts!

https://thoughtexchange.com/join/

Three Years Later, Wisconsin’s Special Educator Induction Program Shows Promising Results

Designed for first- or second-year special educators, the program partners with CESAs across the state to offer “just-in-time” professional learning, coaching, and support focused on emotional resilience. Since its implementation in the 2023-24 school year, approximately 750 special educators have participated.

https://dpi.wi.gov/news/dpi-connected/three-years-later-wisconsin-s-special-educator-induction-program-shows-promising

🚨 We're a Policy Initiatives Advisor-Executive!

The responsibilities of this position involve cross-division and cross-systems collaboration at the senior management level, including coordination with other state agencies and other external stakeholders including universities, tech colleges, local governments, LEAs, and non-profits.

If interested, apply by June 9, 2026 👉 https://wj.wi.gov/21117

🏆⭐ Congratulations to the 2026 Wisconsin School for the Deaf graduate, Lily Wolf!

Lily has been a WSD student since preschool. She has been involved in volleyball for 8 years, basketball for 8 years, and track & field for 3 years. She was also a member of Jr. NAD for 2 years and has previously been involved in the spring drama and has earned a lot of the school awards including full year honor roll and positive behavior.

She has also gotten many sports awards such as GPSD volleyball all-star player and Indians Trails Conference Volleyball 1st Team. Lily is also a very talented artist. Her artwork recently received first place in the Marie Jean Philips WSD school competition.

After she graduates, Lily is planning to go to work first for 1-2 years until she is ready, then she will go to a community college welding program.

Congratulations, Lily!

🏆⭐ Congratulations to the 2026 Wisconsin School for the Deaf graduate, Brooklynn Hair!

Brooklynn has been a student at WSD since the 8th grade. During her time at WSD she has been involved in Special Olympics bowling, basketball, snowshoe, and track and field. She has also been an active member of the ASL club.

She has especially enjoyed her time with Anne going around the community learning about safety and mobility. Brooklynn has received awards for athlete of the month, student of the quarter, positive behavior and honor roll. Upon graduation, Brooklynn would love to get a job at McDonald’s.

Congratulations, Brooklynn.

🏆⭐ Congratulations to the 2026 Wisconsin School for the Deaf graduate, Valerie Escalante!

Valerie joined WSD as a student in late 8th grade from Illinois where she attended John Powers Academy. During her time at WSD Valerie was involved in school clubs and sports such as Volleyball, Basketball, Cheerleading, Track & Field, Sign Song Dancers, Spring drama, and Student Body Government.

Valerie has enjoyed walking the halls of WSD and showing her bubbly personality. After graduation Valerie has decided to go to Badger High School for their transition program. When she has completed that she will decide if she wants to go to college or start working.

Congratulations, Valerie!

🏆⭐ Congratulations to the 2026 Wisconsin School for the Deaf graduate, Niya Cabell!

Niya is in her senior year at WSD. Niya decided to join sports and clubs such as Sign Song Dancers, the spring drama, volleyball, and basketball. She is a very active person and always makes everyone laugh. She was raised in Virginia and decided to move here to Wisconsin to start a new life, new education and meet new people for her senior year.

After high school, she would like to study to get certified as an EMT, then possibly go to college for a nursing degree. She would love the opportunity in her free time to travel to all 7 continents and 50 states.

Congratulations, Niya!