Professional Achievement, School of Education

When Matt Wenthe ’95, ’01 started his teaching career as a high school English teacher with the Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau School District (G-E-T) in Western Wisconsin, he thought he might stay for one year before moving on. One year turned into a robust 27-year career. He wore many hats over those years, from teacher to assistant principal, summer school coordinator, activities director, transportation director, forensics coach, track and field coach, district office administrator, business manager, and of course, middle school principal.

In 2021, Wenthe joined the School District of La Crosse as director of human resources. When asked if his career is what he expected it to be after graduating, he shared that although he began his career as a high school English teacher, he was always drawn to leadership positions. “After teaching for 12 years, I then served in many different administrative positions.” Each new role, Wenthe explained, was built off his prior experiences.

Wenthe felt prepared to take on leadership roles in part due to Viterbo’s focus on servant leadership. After graduating from Fennimore High School and studying at Viterbo, he earned his undergraduate degree in education and his Master of Arts in Education (MAE) in 1995 and 2001 respectively. Wenthe returned to Viterbo for his principal licensure, achieving that in 2006, and then he earned his superintendent licensure in 2020.

“As an 18-year-old, I chose Viterbo because of the small class sizes, and it offered a direct pathway to graduate in four years. I came back to Viterbo because I valued their philosophy of servant leadership, and I enjoyed the community that was established within the cohorts.”

“I am honored to be recognized for the work I have done and hopefully for the impact I have had on others,” he said about receiving the distinguished alumni award.

Other than a five-year hiatus when he first became principal, Wenthe was the track and field coach for G-E-T for much of his career. Hands down, coaching both track and field and forensics go down as some of his favorite jobs. “I have enjoyed parts of every job I have had, but I loved coaching the most. I hope that my passion was contagious and that I made a positive impact on the lives of the track and cross-country athletes and the forensics participants I have worked with.”

A favorite memory as coach, he said, was watching his children Quinn and Davis take the podium in multiple events at the state track meet.

Wenthe shared he enjoyed watching the students that he coached grow, discover their passions, and achieve their goals. He received the Coach of the Year award for cross country in 2005, and in 2008, he earned that award for track. Wenthe was president of the executive board for the Wisconsin High School Forensics Association from 2011-2015.

Focusing on the three Rs of rigor, relevance, and relationships is the advice he offers to new teachers. “People will most remember the relationships you build,” he offered.

“Too often, we react to an upsetting message without first reflecting,” Wenthe explained. “Social media and digital technology make the temptation to fire back immediately even easier.”

He said that over the years, his veteran staff became familiar with his mantra that he frequently repeated, and they encouraged him to share the message with parents and students. It’s something he said he still believes, some 15 years later. “If something is important today, it will be important tomorrow.”

“Abraham Lincoln shared similar advice and would frequently compose an angry letter, place it in a drawer for several days, and then throw it away once his emotions had subsided,” Wenthe said. “Taking some time to reflect and to let emotions subside often leads to a better outcome.” Wenthe is active with the Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity, and Friends of the Black River. He and his wife Jill live in La Crosse. 

2024 Viterbo University Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients main page