Liza (Goldberg) Wiemer '83 was inducted into the Fine Arts Hall of Fame at Whitefish Bay High School in December 2024. She is an award-winning educator with over 25 years of teaching experience and has received recognition for her young adult novels. Her latest book, The Assignment, has been translated into Russian, Polish, Italian and Korean and is opted for film. It is being utilized in classrooms across the country as an educational tool and is unique in how it connects history to society today.

Her school discussion visits stimulate important reflections and self-consciousness about our own biases for both students and adults.

The Assignment is a plot-driven story about 2 teens who stand up for what is right in the face of adversity. Liza’s talks and workshops across the globe have had positive results. She has been named among the 100 women making a positive impact on Jewish life AND the book has been approved for use in all School Districts in Wisconsin.

Liza was a shy, reluctant elementary school reader until Mr. Cienian created a reading challenge for the class. She won big time! Then, speech class changed everything in high school. Through guidance and encouragement, Frank Laycock brought out a confidence in Liza for research and presentation, key components necessary for success.

Liza shares that Whitefish Bay schools provided a strong foundation for her future career as an author. She applies the lessons Mr. Cienian and Mr. Laycock impressed upon her:  approach every challenge to be the best Liza Wiemer possible. That is what they each expected of her and it is what she strives for as a teacher, author and public speaker.

Submitted by Jackie Thompson

Find out more about Liza at https://www.lizawiemer.com/.