Fourth-grade teacher Steve D'Onofrio creates a family atmosphere in his classroom at Sauk Trail Elementary School in Middleton. He furnishes his classroom with comfortable couches and soft lights and starts each day by baking bread for his students. Though many of his students live in high-poverty, at-risk conditions, Mr. D'Onofrio helps them score consistently at or above the district and state averages on Wisconsin's annual proficiency exam. He has trained teachers districtwide in various areas, including writing and Everyday Math, and has served on several district committees, including one developing promotion and graduation policies. Mr. D'Onofrio has been instrumental in developing local fourth-grade standards and helped develop the fourth-grade report card. A mentor to new teachers, he frequently hosts practicum students in his classroom and participates in a University of Wisconsin seminar for beginning teacher candidates.
1983 University of Wisconsin, B.S.
