Tammy Van Ess, a counselor at Jackson Elementary School in the Green Bay Area School District, has been honored as the Wisconsin School Counselor of the Year by the Wisconsin School Counselor Organization WSCA.
Van Ess was recognized for her exceptional work using data-driven approaches to support students and significantly reducing behavior referrals at her school by over 75%.
Her commitment extends beyond the classroom, as she has built strong relationships with families through innovative programs and partnerships with local organizations like Do Good Wisconsin and Rooted In.
A notable achievement during the pandemic was the creation of the Hunger Heroes Jaguar Den food pantry, which serves Jackson Elementary families and is operated with the help of fourth- and fifth-grade students.
Van Ess’s recognition highlights her role as an advocate for student growth and well-being, both academically and personally.
She will represent Wisconsin in the National School Counselor of the Year competition in 2026.