JANESVILLE — The American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences has presented retired Janesville teacher Catherine Lader with a 2025 Leader award, for making a lasting impact in family and consumer sciences.
Lader, of Janesville, was a teacher in the School District of Janesville and is a lifelong resident of the Town of LaPrairie.
Catherine Lader
This year’s recipients — Lader, Dr. Mia Russell of Maryland, and Dr. Karleah Harris of Arkansas — were recognized at the 2025 AAFCS annual conference in Kansas City on June 27.
“Catherine Lader leads by example, and has been an FCS advocate throughout her 51-year career,” a release said.
“During her 35 years of teaching at the secondary level she taught in the school districts of Janesville, Clinton, Cambridge, and Kaukauna. Catherine is a dedicated FCS leader, former educator, state supervisor, past president of Wisconsin FCS Educators, and current president of the Wisconsin Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (WAFCS),” the release continued.
While teaching, she increased FCS enrollments and advised a nationally recognized Family, Career and Community Leaders of America student leadership chapter, the release said.
As the Wisconsin State Supervisor she published resources, supported teachers, and initiated FCCLA Leadership Labs. As a National FCCLA Consultant Team member, Lader presented programming across the country. She and her husband, John, financially support the FCS program at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point through scholarships and sponsoring the FCS Legacy Lab instructional space.
Governor Tommy Thompson awarded her the Wisconsin Annual Leadership Award in 1998 and the State of Wisconsin Legislative Assembly presented a citation in honor of Lader being named Wisconsin Home Economics Teacher of the Year in 1982.
During retirement, Lader has managed the Wisconsin FCCLA competitions for 7 years. She has hosted numerous fundraisers for non-profit organizations and is a partner of The Bradford House retreat located in Janesville. Supporting the pork industry, she developed FCS resources, earning her the 2012 WI Agri-Communicator Award.
