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Hispanic Heritage Month: Milwaukee bilingual teacher makes a difference

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Hispanic Heritage Month: Milwaukee bilingual teacher makes a difference


We are putting the spotlight on a bilingual teacher from Milwaukee Public Schools – during Hispanic Heritage Month.

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It is another day in Alondra Garcia’s classroom at Allen-Field Elementary School in Milwaukee. The space is filled with vibrant colors, butterflies and enthusiastic second-graders eager to learn. 

“She likes to celebrate everything that I like to celebrate,” said Jolaniz Acosta, a student. 

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“(English: She reads to us and I can understand it,)” said Damian Gomez, age 7. 

Garcia said she designs lesson plans to keep this diverse class of students engaged. 

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“My goal as an educator is to make sure I empower them,” Garcia said. 

And it hits home. Ms. Garcia is a first generation bilingual teacher – and she said she sees herself in every single one of her students. 

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“I always remembered in the back of my head that little girl who wanted to learn to do something to be someone in the future,” Garcia said. 

Like many of her students’ stories, Garcia’s family left their home in Mexico to make a home in Milwaukee. 

“My goal as an educator is to make sure they’re able to find their voice and that they’re able to use their voice as a power, as something that’s going to get them far in life,” Garcia said. 

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Garcia’s job does not end inside the classroom. In fact, it keeps on going in the community – as an activist fighting for immigrant rights and other issues affecting Latinos in Wisconsin. 

“Status does limit you, sadly, and I was a former DACA recipient for 12 years. Just recently, I obtained the U-Visa status. So that, eventually, will lead me toward permanent residency. I’m grateful my whole family qualified for that,” Garcia said. 

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Garcia said she inherited her drive from her father, Gilberto Garcia Calderon, who said he is proud to see his daughter’s efforts to serve and help others. 

“(English: Seeing her work and involvement just tells me she’s on the right path,)” Garcia Calderon said. 

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It is a purpose Garcia said she hopes will pave the way – and inspire the next generation. 

You can view more stories about Hispanic Heritage Month on FOX6Now.com.

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Milwaukee, WI

Milwaukee woman found safe, reported critically missing Saturday

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Milwaukee woman found safe, reported critically missing Saturday


UPDATE: MPD said Sheree Wimberly, reported critically missing Saturday, has been found safe. The original missing person notice is available below.

The Milwaukee Police Department requested the public’s help to find 56-year-old Sheree Wimberly. The critically missing woman was last seen near 91st and Appleton at around 5:10 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31.

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What they’re saying:

Police described Wimberley as 5 feet, 5 inches tall and 170 pounds, bald with brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a brown jacket with fur around the collar, gray sweatpants, and white-black-and-green shoes. 

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What you can do:

Anyone with information on Wimberly’s whereabouts is asked to call Milwaukee Police District 4 at 414-935-7242.

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The Source: The Milwaukee Police Department released information.

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Milwaukee, WI

Next Act Theatre presents: Swing State

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Next Act Theatre presents: Swing State


It’s hard to know who your friends are in a world that’s more divided than ever! That’s where Next Act Theatre comes in. Two of the major players in the production of “Swing State” joined FOX6 WakeUp in studio to share more.

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Milwaukee, WI

Lapse of health care contract for Milwaukee County employees angers officials

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Lapse of health care contract for Milwaukee County employees angers officials


Milwaukee County officials are calling for an “emergency action” after learning that the contract covering health insurance for thousands of county employees has lapsed. 

During a Jan. 29 committee on finance meeting, Milwaukee County Supervisors learned that the county’s health care contract with UnitedHealthcare expired at the end of last year. County Corporation Counsel Scott Brown said the contract is one of the “single most important contracts in the county.”

“I think there’s enormous risk to us operating … without this contract,” Brown said.

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The county’s deputy corporation counsel William Davidson said there could be “catastrophic risk” if the county does not move to approve a contract soon. He said the ability for county employees to “receive and pay for services might be affected.”

Milwaukee County Supervisor Steve Taylor said he was angry, calling the situation “unacceptable.” 

“This is crazy,” Taylor said. 

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In an interview with WPR Friday evening, Taylor said more than 3,000 county employees are covered by the plan. He said coverage for employees is continuing under the old contract. However, Brown said if an employee does have a large claim before a new contract is signed, the lapse could leave UnitedHealthcare “in a position to deny it.”

In a statement, a spokesperson for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, who is running for governor as a Democrat, said Crowley has “directed administration officials to resolve the situation and work with the Board of Supervisors to approve the contract next week.”

During the Jan. 29 meeting, Milwaukee County Human Resources Director Tony Maze said he hired an outside actuary to do the request for proposals for a health plan for employees in an attempt to save money. When pressed about the issue by county supervisors, Maze said he did not follow the county’s rules for the request for proposal process. 

Milwaukee County Supervisor Anne O’Connor called for an emergency meeting Monday morning in response to what she called “damage control mode.”

“I feel like what I am hearing is extremely concerning, to the point where I think we have to consider some emergency action, ” O’Connor said. 

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That meeting will be held Monday at 10 a.m.

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