2024 Recipients-
Teacher of the Year for High School - Erik Jappinen
Erik Jappinen has been a Social Studies teacher, specifically a U.S. History teacher, in the Oconomowoc Area School District for 30 years. He spent the first twenty six years teaching 8th grade U.S. History and transitioned to Oconomowoc High School four years ago, where he currently teaches regular and AP U.S. History. Erik has a passion for teaching history and makes it a priority by being engaged in professional committees and a participant to several history institutes. Moreover, Erik finds his passion for teaching history in the hearts and minds of his students. He prides his work as an educator in building relationships with his students so that they ignite a passion to love history and learning too.
2023 Recipients- Teacher of the Year - Steve Argo
Last April, I completed one 10-mile leg of an 80-mile ruck march to honor the 1,000 Americans killed on the harrowing Bataan Death March from World War Two. I have been teaching in Baraboo since 2000. For 13 years I taught AP U.S. History and I have been actively teaching AP U.S. Government and AP Comparative Politics for the entire time. I am very happily married to an English teacher who's at Sauk Prairie High School and we have one daughter who attends college at UW Eau Claire. My favorite "social studies memories" have been leading several week-long student trips to Washington, D.C. and a fundraiser I organized last year to raise money for Team Rubicon for their operations in Ukraine.
2022 Recipients- WCSS Teacher of the Year - Toni Fink:
As a second-grade teacher at the Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School, I am proud of my Latinx heritage and have had the privilege of growing up in Milwaukee, living in two Spanish speaking countries, and exploring five more. These experiences help me connect on a personal level with my students and families. I am passionate about seeing my students do well, both in and outside the classroom. I strive to engage students to become empathetic, active citizens. My favorite part of teaching social studies is bringing in the students’ personal experiences and knowledge. Milwaukee is such a diverse community that everyone has something to contribute to our collective learning. My goal is to be creative in effective teaching strategies, meeting students where they are, and helping them grow to their fullest potential. I continue my personal quest to keep learning FOR my students and FROM my students. As a matter of fact, I am currently being tutored by my students in the basics of Pokémon. :) When I am not teaching, I enjoy learning new things, cooking, reading, nature and being with family and friends.
2021 Recipients- Lack of Recipient per Beyond-ference* and Outside Circumstances
2020 Recipients
Elementary Teacher of the Year--Kate Van Haren
“He who teaches, learns.” Kate heard this proverb while learning and designing lessons in Ethiopia during the summer of 2018. For Kate, the ability to teach and to learn are inseparable. She has been fortunate to travel, teach, and learn in many different places around the world. Some of her unique experiences include teaching Lake Superior history from the back of a Voyageur Canoe, designing an outdoor learning class as a Peace Corps volunteer in Macedonia, sharing sustainable agriculture techniques on a farm located in the Yakama reservation, and playing English verbs and adjectives Bingo with students across rural Poland. Each of these experiences has enhanced Kate’s own knowledge and teaching ability as she prepares her Pittsville 4th and 5th graders to be local and global leaders in their communities. In addition to finding creative and engaging methods to incorporate academic standards in curriculum, her favorite teaching moments are when students are able to make personal connections to their own cultures with communities of the past and present. Kate models how to be a community leader by serving on various leadership committees within her school leads several afterschool activities and serves on the Pittsville Area Community Theater Board of Directors. Her travel and teaching experiences in traditional and unconventional classrooms have provided Kate with unique perspectives as she works with educators across the United States to design a curriculum that addresses the use of primary sources in elementary classrooms, teaches issues of human rights, and integrates sustainability standards into social studies topics. Through her life experiences, Kate tries to teach all of her students that learning is integral to being a leader, and happens in every aspect of living.
Middle School Teacher of the Year--Derek Oppelt
Derek Oppelt, a 6th grade social studies teacher. He has taught his entire 14 year career teaching at Onalaska Middle School. He believes strongly in having students become a part of history through reenactments and role playing activities that engage students in essential standards, such as students deciding how to allocate funds in the republic system of ancient Rome or putting on mock trials of ancient leaders like Genghis Khan. At Onalaska Middle School, he is known for doing whatever it takes to help kids succeed and collaborating with his colleagues to create exciting ways for kids to show high levels of learning. Most of all, Derek is proud of his two young sons growing into great people and his amazing wife, also a teacher known for inspiring others.
High School Teacher of the Year--Elayna Clark
Elayna Clark is in her 15th year teaching at Wausau West High School. She currently teaches AP Psychology and World History. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from UW Milwaukee in 2004 and her Master’s Degree in Teaching History in 2010. Elayna became a Nationally Board Certified teacher in Social Studies-History in 2018. She is highly involved in her school community and has served as a track and cross country coach, key club adviser, PBIS committee member, and Tech Mentor in the past. Currently, she is the Department Chair, Homecoming Adviser, Senior Walk Coordinator, WEAF Scholarship Committee member, and a district Professional Development teacher. Elayna has also had several professional development travel grant opportunities, including an NEH fellowship to South Africa and a Gilder Lehrman Fellowship to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. She feels so lucky to be supported by the best colleagues, wonderful parents and extended family. Most importantly, she has the love and support of her amazing husband, and fellow teacher, Paul and their two young children: Henry (6) and Penelope (4). She loves spending time with her family & friends, traveling the world, working out, reading, and drawing.
2019 Recipients
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kevin Podeweltz (Ringle)
Kevin Podeweltz comes from the Wausau area. He attended UW-Stevens Point for Elementary Education, with a minor in Broadfield Social Studies. Kevin currently teaches fourth grade at Riverside Elementary (D.C. Everest) in Ringle. He’s been there since 2010. Kevin attended Viterbo for his 316 Reading Teacher license. In December 2018, Kevin was also certified as a National Board Certified Teacher.
As a teacher, Kevin loves teaching elementary school and the variety of subjects. Being in a self-contained classroom allows for creativity and integration. For social studies, he focuses on Wisconsin History. Wisconsin History is a favorite of his students because of hands-on simulations, labs, and use of primary sources. Passion for social studies drives him to seek out summer learning workshops that he works to incorporate into his classroom. In recent years he’s attended many summer learning sessions, including the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute, Freedoms Foundation’s Heros and Heroines program, and the Mickelson/ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. Kevin is currently an advisor for Fuel Up to Play 60 and Battle of the Books.
When there is “extra” time available, Kevin spends time volunteering in the community. Kevin is highly active in his church where he helps lead the confirmation program, sings in the choir, and volunteers for special events. One week of his summer is typically devoted to a mission trip. Kevin is humbled to receive the honor of Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year and hopes to continue to share his passion for social studies with students for many years to come.
Middle School Teacher of the Year
Ann Viegut (Wausau)
Ann Viegut teaches World Geography at John Muir Middle School in Wausau, Wisconsin. She works to foster geographic connections between her classroom, the community of Wausau and the world. Geographic field trips, local speaking experiences, arranging traveling floor maps and running the annual Geographic Bee are just a few methods she utilizes. When John Muir was a middle school, Ann worked with her colleagues to develop and implement The Amazing Wausau Race, placing students in the community completing standards-based challenges. Additionally, she is a part of a community of educators entitled, A Walk in Their Shoes, whose sole purpose is to bring compelling stories of our world to students and community of Central Wisconsin.
Ann graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education degree and a minor in Anthropology. Ann went on to complete her Masters in Education at the University of WisconsinStevens Point, National Board Certification and National Geographic Educator Certification. Her love of Social Studies was fostered by her involvement in both the WCSS and WIGA organizations. In 1992, she completed the first of many Wisconsin Geographic Institutes in which she served as both a participant and Teacher Consultant. The Wisconsin Geographic alliance has given her the opportunity to bring experiences into her classroom - some of which included studying glaciers in Alaska, mapping the Atlantic Ocean floor with Naval oceanographers and exploring marine life in the Florida Keys, the Kingdom of Tonga and Channel Islands. Most recently, Ann spent time working with students on the NGS-Lindblad polar bear expedition to the Svalbard archipelago. Professionally, Ann has served on the WCSS Board of Directors and WIGA Board of Directors and has presented at NGGE, NCSS, WCSS and the WIGA Geo-fest. She has also shared her knowledge developing curriculum for Rand McNally, McDougal-Littell, Glencoe and the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board; advising on the TV series, Wisconsin Our Home and the interactive program, Into the Map.
Ann also worked with educators across the state to write the Geography Strand of the Wisconsin State Social Studies Standards released in 2018. In 2000, Ann was presented The Wisconsin Geographic Alliance Service Award. She received the Kohl Fellowship in 2007 and in 2012, The University of Wisconsin- Madison identified Ann as an Alumni of the Year. Finally, in 2011 she was named a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow by the National Geographic Society.
High School Teacher of the Year
Dan Dargenio (Marshfield)
Dan Dargenio has taught World Studies Essentials, World Studies Regulars, and Advanced Placement European History for eleven years at Marshfield High School. During this time Dan and his wife Shauna, a US History and Psychology teacher, have been raising two energetic and spirited boys, Jeron (5) and Jace (2). He has periodically coached numerous middle school sports, high school basketball, and collegiate basketball, as well as becoming a realtor for the past five years.
His passion for analyzing and teaching the human journey, or Social Studies, truly emerged in his first few years of teaching. At Marshfield High School, the AP program was becoming a fundamental piece of the school’s culture in the early 2000s and as a young teacher he was mentored by outstanding veteran AP teachers in the amount of time, energy, passion, and knowledge it would take to become a great teacher. He took those lessons and applied them throughout his Essentials, Regulars, and AP classrooms and slowly but surely developed a strong rapport with students and their families.
Dan serves as an AP Data Analyst for the Marshfield School District, is a member of the AP Leadership Team, works as the AP Teacher Mentor for new AP teachers, and sits on the WAPAC board (Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council). Additionally, he has organized and led four student trips to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, New York City, and Washington DC in order to create a comprehensive experience, both in and out of the classroom, for his students. Dan believes that with the array of information his students are bombarded with on an hourly basis through social media, etc. it is imperative that his students learn how to quickly analyze information, scrutinize the source, and form an educated opinion on a particular topic. Through a lecture based environment with consistent large group discussions and small group sessions, he wants students to have a welcoming and safe environment full of energy, passion, and intellect. Dan believes his job as an educator is to create critical and analytical thinkers so they are able to address the challenges of this every changing world.
2018 Recipients
Elementary Teacher of the Year--Peter Michaud (New Berlin)
Peter Michaud is a long-time elementary educator. He began his career teaching in St. Paul, Minnesota. He then taught third and fourth grades in Atlanta Public Schools. In Atlanta, he was the recipient of the Excellence in Education Award from Atlanta Public Schools. He has spent the last 27 years teaching in Southeast Wisconsin. Social studies has been a passion of Peter’s since his own fourth grade year. He was intrigued about the world and its many cultures. This high interest led him to become a dedicated teacher of social studies, where he brings curriculum to life with simulations, debates, literature, and real-life applications. Peter has participated in educational travel programs in Germany (through the Goethe Institut), and in Japan (through the Chiba Sister School Exchange Program). Additionally, Peter has traveled around the country, taking part in numerous professional development workshops. These experiences all combine to enrich the learning opportunities of Peter’s students. Peter has had leadership roles in several professional organizations. These include the following: Wisconsin Geographic Alliance, where he is a member of the Steering Committee and a frequent presenter in geography education; Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, where he served on the board and has presented at several state conferences; Wisconsin Media Lab, where Peter has done consulting work; Department of Public Instruction, where he served as a lead writer for the Environmental Learning and Sustainability Standards. Peter is honored to be recognized as “Wisconsin Social Studies Elementary Teacher of the Year.”
Middle School Teacher of the Year--Sarah Kopplin (Shorewood)
Sarah Kopplin began her teaching career in Apple Valley, MN and has taught at Shorewood Intermediate School near Milwaukee for fifteen years. During this time she has also served as the head varsity cross country and track coach at Shorewood High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, where she was a member of the Track & Field and Cross Country programs, and a master’s in education from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. In 2009, Sarah constructed a course change for social studies at the 7th grade level. The world geography course has a contemporary cultural focus and incorporates authentic learning experiences, 1:1 technology, project-based learning, and has an individualized focus. Sarah is passionate about exposing her students to real world issues that impact people and the environment and wants her students to develop strong research, critical thinking, and metacognition skills. She facilitated a school-wide, cross-curricular “Refugee Experience” simulation and designed a unit of study to help her students learn about the global refugee crisis. Her students create websites that serve as digital learning profiles which allow for reflection and confidence building. She also engages her students in an international video competition which analyzes the impact that global population growth has on people and the environment and had a first place winner in the competition last year. In 2014, Sarah was recognized by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Alliance of Black School Educators as Educator of the year and in 2015, she received the Shorewood Excellence in Teaching Award and the Wisconsin Cross Country Association award for Cross Country coach of the year. Sarah loves to spend time with her husband Keith, travel, cook, run, hike, and all things Harry Potter.
High School Teacher of the Year--Christine Kadonsky (Wausau)
Christine Kadonsky is in her 17th year of teaching Early U.S. History to ninth grade students at Wausau West High School in her hometown. Christine has developed a curriculum that focuses on primary source analysis and discipline literacy skills. She strives to create interactive lessons, like navigating using the stars in the school planetarium, conducting a mock trial of a Supreme Court case, facilitating a Westward Expansion Historical Research Project and organizing a Civil War Day. With her teaching colleagues, Christine utilizes costumes, play acting and music to create engaging lecture presentations. Christine believes in the importance of providing rigorous curriculum, which includes differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of all students. Since 2014, Christine has served as Department Chair. Christine earned a B.A. – Broadfield Social Studies Education (2001) and an M.A. – History (2006) from UW – Eau Claire. She earned her master’s degree by completing two fellowships, the Learning by Doing TAH Grant Fellowship at UWEC and the James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellowship. In the summer of 2010, Christine served as the James Madison Congressional Fellow in the office of Representative Bobby Scott (VA). Christine credits WCSS will providing much of her continuing professional development in social studies education. She served on the WCSS Executive Board for 15 years, serving as Awards Committee Chair, EdCamp Organizer and Recording Secretary. Christine strives to model the importance of lifelong learning to her students and to demonstrate her passion for history. During the summers, she has participated in 24 out-of-state seminars and study trips to six countries. Christine serves as a Teacher Facilitator for a George Washington Teacher Institute at Mount Vernon. In 2016, Christine was honored to be recognized by Wausau Daily Herald Media with the “20 Under 40” young professional leadership award. In addition, she received the 2014 Wisconsin VFW High School Teacher of the
2017 Recipient
High School
David Olson of James Madison Memorial High School in Madison
David Olson is a veteran teacher and leader in Social Studies and Civic education. He has spent a decade of his career in education at the middle school, high school and college levels. He currently teaches AP U.S. Government and Politics, Modern U.S. History and Criminal Justice at James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, WI. In addition to teaching, David serves as Department Chair, Forensics coach, Tennis coach, Student-Athlete leadership advisor, and is a member of the school-based leadership team.
David’s central passion is studying and teaching the Constitution. From creating a Criminal Justice course that teaches students about their rights and responsibilities when interacting with law enforcement to having his AP Government students hold mock Supreme Court hearings, David’s classes connect the words of the Constitution to the realities of our world.
David graduated with degrees in Government and International Affairs and Secondary Education from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and later received his Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has presented at the Midwest Political Science Association conference and is a member of the iCivics Educator Network. David also participated as a Fellow with the Center for the Study of the American Constitution. He regularly serves as an AP Reader. David is honored to help spread his passion for civics and the Constitution (his students can tell you he always carries a pocket Constitution in his bag). His students regularly serve as local poll workers.
Despite moving to Packer country a decade ago, David retains his childhood devotion to the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. He is married to Amy, a school counselor, and they have two beautiful and spunky redheads - Caroline and Johannah. David enjoys following professional and college sports, playing with his children, and keeping up on the news.
2016 Recipients
Middle School
Erin Patchak of Bay View Middle School in the Howard Suamico School District
Erin Patchak teaches 7th and 8th grade social studies at Bay View Middle School in the Howard Suamico School District. She serves as Social Studies Department Head, District Peer Coach, and a District Curriculum Team Representative. While she has seen many curriculum shifts and changes in her 12 year career thus far, her teaching philosophy has remained the same. “I want to build positive relationships and show my students the relevance in what we learn about together.”
Whether in or outside of her classroom, Erin works to provide rigorous and relevant learning opportunities that teach students to think like historians, economists and sociologists. She implements such learning experiences as a mock trial where students examine Amendments to the Constitution and then relate how district policies and state law pertain to a fictitious case. In doing so, she invites district administrators to testify, and students take on active roles in a simulated courtroom experience. From encouraging the design of an International Monopoly Tournament to teach trade relations, to an immigration simulation to raise awareness of growing diversity in the community, to her students’ recent “Shark Tank: Educators Give Back” charity campaign, Erin believes that all students can bring unique learning experiences to the table. They just need to be given ongoing, motivating experiences to do so.
Erin received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from St. Norbert College. She was recognized as a Partners of Education Golden Apple Award winner in 2006 and was honored to be named the 2013 National History Day Patricia Behring Junior Division Teacher of the Year for Wisconsin. She has been a National History Day teacher since 2006 and has coached students at the regional, state, and national levels. Sometimes dubbed the “singing history teacher” by her students, outside of her social studies classroom, Erin enjoys combining her love of teaching with her passion for the performing arts by serving as a director, choreographer, and clinician for northeastern Wisconsin middle schools and high schools. At Bay View Middle School she directs and choreographs the musical, show choir, and the annual Bay View Idol Competition. While she loves her “role” as a teacher and director, her favorite role by far is that of wife and mom. Erin lives in Suamico with her husband Josh, son Mason, and daughter Emalyn
High School
Jason Bretzmann of Muskego High School
Jason Bretzmann has been learning with his students and encouraging innovation since the mid-’90s. He teaches AP Government and a civics course called American Issues at Muskego High School. He is also his high school’s Innovation Integrator. Jason has been a leader in using technology and flipped learning in the classroom, and an advocate for personalized professional development for each teacher. He consistently uses engaging teaching techniques to give his students opportunities to learn the content, build relationships, foster curiosity, and develop or practice skills.
Jason is a connected educator and frequently shares educational ideas on Twitter as @jbretzmann. He is a well-respected national presenter, and has delivered engaging and practical presentations throughout the United States and in Canada. Some of his favorite presentations have been to fellow social studies teachers at the WCSS Conferences, and at the Advanced Placement National Conference. Jason is also co-author and publisher of the books “Flipping 2.0: Practical Strategies for Flipping Your Class,” and “Personalized PD: Flipping Your Professional Development.” He also founded and consults with The Bretzmann Group on flipclass, personalized PD, and edtech strategies. Jason's family includes his amazing wife Chris, and sons Jack and Cooper.
2015 Recipient
High School
Jen Wachowski of Mishicot School District
Jen Wachowski has taught in Mishicot School District for an eventful 10 years. Through those years, she has taught such classes as AP World, AP United States and AP Government and Politics; along with courses such as US and World History. Her mission is simple: promote critical thinking skills, collaboration, reading and writing skills, and most important, provide students the experience that history can be inviting and exciting.
When not in the classroom, she attends professional development programs including the 2014 Medal of Honor and Citizenship sponsored by the Freedoms Foundation based out of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Other programs she has participated in that have enhance my teaching were WASAH Grant Program (Wisconsin Academy for the Study of American History), The Center for the Study of the American Constitution (Madison, WI) , and the teacher institute at Colonial Williamsburg. Jen is currently a Manitowoc Historical Society Board member in helping promote historical interest through my local community of Manitowoc County.
2014 Recipients
High School
Pam Kaiser of Osceola High School in Osceola, WI
Pam Kaiser has taught at the Osceola High School in Osceola, WI for 24 years. She teaches American Government and 20th Century History to sophomores. Pam has taught AP Psychology for 3 years and loves it! She also keeps busy as the coordinator for her Driver’s Ed. Program as well. Pam volunteers as the Membership Director for the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies (WCSS). Pam states, “It is through WCSS that I have made great teaching connections with fellow teachers and travel opportunities. I feel it is important to share my love of travel with my students, so they can embrace the opportunities which are available to them if they seek them out.” Pam has traveled to Germany, China, Portugal, and the British Isles and enjoys bringing these adventures back to her classroom.
2013 Recipients
Middle School
Alan Schneider of Templeton Middle School, Sussex, WI
Alan Schneider is currently in his 18th year of teaching 7th grade social studies at Templeton Middle School in Sussex. Alan received his Bachelor’s Degree from Marquette University with a major in European History and earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Alan has served as social studies department head, and is active in curriculum revision and critical thinking development across the grade levels in the Hamilton School District. Since 2001, he has been a central part of his school’s Veteran’s Day program. Outside of school, he has presented at Geo Fest on behalf of the Wisconsin Geographic Alliance.
Alan believes it is the mission of social studies teachers to tell the story of our past and, therefore, the story of us today. He strives each day to make his curriculum exciting, engaging and relevant. Alan attempts to recreate the past with simulations, re-enactments and many hands-on activities. He has invited several Holocaust Survivors to share their experiences directly with his students and has embraced local WWII Vets, including the last dancing B-29’er, Henry Ratensky, who not only speaks about his last mission of the war over Japan, but then teaches Alan’s seventh graders how to swing dance! Alan also integrates technology into his classroom on a daily basis. With the use of Google Earth, iPad walking tours, and Skype, he attempts to bring the world into his classroom and make the voices of the past come alive!
Alan has traveled extensively with students throughout Europe and the United States. He has organized and led to trips on his own with local war vets and students from the Hamilton School District. Alan also serves as a Delegation Leader with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. He is the advisor for Templeton Middle School’s Ski & Board Club and has been leading the annual school trip to Colorado for the last 14 years. Also, he serves as the head coach of the Hamilton High School boys and girls tennis programs. Outside the classroom Alan enjoys running, downhill skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and tennis. He enjoys traveling, especially to mountains! He is greatly honored by the award and proud to teach the students and families of the Hamilton School District.
High School
Parisa Watson of Westosha Central High School, Salem, WI
Parisa is currently in her 11th year of teaching high school social studies. She currently teaches AP Human Geography and US History at Westosha Central High School in Salem, Wisconsin. Some of Parisa's favorite lessons involve integrating technology into her instruction - utilizing tools such as Google Maps to relay stories and events, and Google Docs so students can collaborate and utilize technology in order to be better prepared for life, post-high school. She also enjoys incorporating current events in US History and geography lessons as they help students see real-world, daily relevance beyond the classroom, while still reinforcing key concepts. She is very passionate about social studies and enjoys helping other teachers with lessons or ideas to help with instruction and student learning.
Parisa has been an active member of the Wisconsin Geographic Alliance, serving as a member of the steering committee, contributing to WIGA's website and social media, and organizing alliance-sponsored AP Human Geography workshops. She has also presented at the WCSS conference and the National Conference on Geography Education on topics such as incorporating Google Maps in the classroom and localizing AP Human Geography concepts.
The AP Human Geography program is a passion of Parisa's. She has been involved in the program since 2006, attending summer institutes and one day conferences offered by the College Board. She's also served as an AP reader and then table leader for the AP Human Geography Exam. Parisa finds the APHG reading to be superb professional development - an annual opportunity to meet and collaborate from other dedicated teachers from around the globe as well as a chance to gain insights into being a stronger facilitator of learning.
Parisa has many outside interests including watching the Cubs win, going to Packer games, spending time with her family. She hopes to travel more in the future. She feels fortunate to work with so many great teachers at a supportive school. She's honored and humbled by the WCSS award. Parisa currently lives in Trevor, Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters.
Middle School
Gail Schlicht of Greenfield Middle School, Greenfield, WI
Gail has been teaching since 1978. She has been a social studies teacher for the past twenty years. She was recognized in 1998 as the Greenfield Middle School Teacher of the Year and awarded the Herb Kohl Fellowship Award in 2002. In the summer of 2007, Gail was one of 50 United States teachers who were invited to South Korea for the Korean Studies Workshop for American educators.
Gail has initiated and developed the district Geography Bee and implemented geography T-shirt day in the middle school for the past 16 years. She volunteers at the state wide geography bee, too. Gail continues to be involved in the development, improvement and implementation of the district’s social studies curriculum. She has organized visits from veterans and student run fundraisers to support our troops and needy members of the community. Gail promotes service learning projects to help students realize that they can make a difference in the world. A major goal for Gail is helping students connect what they are learning in social studies class to their everyday lives and the world around them. Her motto is displayed in many places in her classroom and school …“Be the Change You Want to See in the World.”
Gail is known for her enthusiasm and wonderful connections she makes with her students. Gail is universally recognized by staff for her positive leadership skills and for being an exemplary teacher who puts in incredibly long hours for her students. She is an exceptional role model among teachers. Gail reaches out to others and is willing to share her experience, her ideas, and her work. This makes her an excellent team member who displays outstanding leadership qualities with just the right hint of light-hearted humor and fun.
Gail constantly seeks growth as an educator. She is always staying at the forefront of technology advancements through professional development opportunities. Every effort is made to keep students engaged in their learning. Gail integrates, develops and utilizes web quests, power point presentations, class web page, internet searches and hot lists, and Smart Board technologies, etc. to help students learn more about our world today.
Throughout her career, Gail has traveled extensively. A portion of this traveling was with several People to People Student Ambassador programs. Gail comes back to school after a summer travel experience armed with new material and knowledge to share with her students. Her students become immersed in each region and its culture. Walking into her classroom is a delight because of her fervor for social studies!
Gail is honored and proud to be recognized by WCSS. She continues to be most passionate about the teaching profession and believes that being a teacher is a most rewarding and gratifying profession.
2012 Recipients
High School
Sara Kreibich of Somerset High School, Somerset, WI
Sara is currently in her 12th year of teaching high school Social Studies. She currently teaches Civics, World History, U.S. History, Geography and Economics at Somerset High School and previously taught for 11 years at Osceola High School in Osceola, WI. Sara grew up in Chippewa Falls, WI and did her undergraduate work at Winona State University (Winona, MN) and the University of Wisconsin River Falls where she graduated in 1999 with a Secondary Education (Social Studies and Spanish) degrees. She continued her education at Silver Lake College (Manitowoc, WI) with a Master’s Degree in 2007 in Administrative Leadership (Director of Instruction/PK-12 Principal). She has also completed extensive graduate level work in U.S. History, History Education, brain-based learning and teacher mentoring/coaching.
Sara has worked on various committees and projects for the DPI including the Common Core State Standards Leadership Team for Disciplinary Literacy, the Social Studies frameworks committee, and others. She has also worked on creating programing and resources for the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and worked on a three year Teaching American History Grant that focused on connecting state and local history to U.S. History using historic sites, primary sources and best teaching practices in Social Studies.
Other areas of her professional work have focused on the development of disciplinary literacy and critical thinking in Social Studies, implementing rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge into Social Studies curriculum, creating effective and realistic formative and summative assessments for both teaching and learning, using data to shape Social Studies instruction, collaboration and support programs for new and veteran teachers and establishing student advising/mentoring programs.
Sara currently lives in Somerset, WI, with her husband Cory, a third grade teacher, and her sons Trae (9) and Caeden (6), and her daughter Drew (8). She feels extremely honored to be chosen by the WCSS as a representative for the hard-working, dedicated Social Studies teachers in Wisconsin who daily lead students on a path toward global, economic and civic literacy. And she is extremely proud to be a Wisconsin teacher.
Middle School
Chuck Taft of University School of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Chuck has been teaching 8th grade American history at USM for 14 years. As with most teachers in the field, Chuck’s favorite lessons are engaging activities and simulations, since understanding the past is not a spectator sport. He enjoys integrating technology into his instruction and relating historical content to the present day. All of Chuck’s students research and create National History Day projects each year, and many Wildcat historians have gone on to success at the regional, state, and national level of the excellent program. He has also spearheaded many service learning projects focusing on veterans’ issues, including helping raise money for Honor Flights, working with Vietnam Veterans for Stand Down, and supporting Dry Hootch in Milwaukee. The highlight of the year for Chuck is making the yearlong curriculum cove alive on a five day class trip to Washington DC and Gettysburg. Chuck also serves as the middle school Social Studies Department Chair and is also one of the two Academic Deans for the middle school.
Chuck has presented at many regional and national conferences on various topics, including “Teaching Vietnam in the Middle School”, “Making History Day Happen”, “21st Century tools in Social Studies”, and “What’s Your Status, George Washington?” His students’ activities and projects have been featured in Social Education and Tech Learning.
A firm believer in travel for professional development, Chuck has taken advantage of the generous grant program at USM to fund historical travel to visit Virginia to study the Civil War and to the Deep South to explore both the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil War. He joined a team of USM teachers on a service learning trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in 2009, traveling to historical and cultural locations and spending time with students at an orphanage and school. Most recently, he traveled to England and France to retrace the development and execution of Operation Overlord and will be highlighting his experiences in a school assembly in April.
Chuck is proud to be a social studies teacher and a transplanted Wisconsinite, and he is honored to be recognized by the awesome professionals of WCSS. Social studies education is a great passion for Chuck, but not as much as spending time with his wife and three kids. He also enjoys reading, movies, and proudly rooting for the Detroit Lions and Tigers.
Elementary School
Sher Brandl of Dickinson Elementary School, De Pere, WI
Sher is a kindergarten teacher in her 18th year at Dickinson Elementary. She received her bachelor's degree from UW-Green Bay with a concentration in growth and development. She founded the St. Vincent Hospital childcare center, eventually leaving to raise her children. She returned to education about a decade later, earning her master's degree from Silverlake College, focusing on multiage education. She started out teaching first grade, but quickly created and implemented the first multiage program in the De Pere school district. She studied the TRIBES framework and integrated it into her classroom. She founded Dickinson Elementary's Earth Club, and has been the advisor for the past twelve years. She has conducted numerous community service projects with her students, and helped maintain a school prairie and garden. She is passionate about creating lifelong learners who are respectful of the environment and each other. Sher and her husband David have three wonderful daughters who have supported her throughout her career.
2011 Recipient
High School
David Berns of Wausau West High School, Wausau, WI
David Berns is in his seventeenth year of teaching Secondary Social Studies in Wisconsin public schools. After receiving his Bachelors Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1991, he first served two years in the US Peace Corps as a teacher trainer before beginning his career with the Germantown School District in 1994. In 1997, David received his Masters Degree in Curriculum Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since then, David has continued his post graduate studies, accumulating over 40 additional graduate credits in Economics and History classes beyond his Master Degree. During his eleven years with the Germantown School District, David taught Economics, Political Science, Social Problems, Law & You, and US History. For the past six years, David has taught for the Wausau School District at Wausau West High School. At Wausau West, he has taught Economics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, and US History. Besides developing and teaching the AP Economics courses at Wausau West, David is active as an extracurricular co-advisor for the Wausau West Key Club and as the Homecoming co-advisor. Last year, David was selected to serve as the Wausau West Social Studies Department Chairperson, a position that he holds in addition to his teaching duties. Currently, David is co-leading an initiative to align the Wausau School District’s Social Studies curriculum with state and federal core content standards using Understanding by Design (UbD) philosophy. David’s greatest strengths are the enthusiasm, background knowledge, and the professionalism that he brings to the classroom every day, and he plans to teach high school Social Studies for many years to come.
2010 Recipients
Middle School
Susan D. Gogue of Jack Young Middle School, Baraboo, WI
Sue Gogue is an 8th grade World Geography teacher. During her 39 years of teaching, Sue has also taught Economics and Civics. She is a graduate of the UW – La Crosse, and has a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Winona State University. Sue has worked on various statewide projects; most recently as Co-Director of DPI’s Japan-Wisconsin Education Connection. Sue has presented many workshops and sectionals at WCSS, NCSS, Geofest as well as other educational venues. She formerly served on the WCSS Executive Board as a delegate and vice president. Her interest in cultures has led her and husband, Buddy, on journeys throughout the world. Their family includes four daughters and six grandchildren.
Middle School
Michael Koren of Maple Dale Middle School, Fox Point, WI
Michael Koren has been teaching Social Studies for the past 30 years at the middle school level in Wisconsin. Mike has been at Maple Dale School in suburban Milwaukee for the past 28 years, teaching World and U.S. History to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Michael is very active in the Social Studies field. He has served the past six years on the Board of Directors for the National Council for the Social Studies, the past ten years as Treasurer of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, and the past 16 years on the executive board of WCSS.
Mike has presented many workshops at state and national conferences and has published numerous materials for teachers over the years. He was recognized as a Kohl Award Educational Scholar in 2008 and has been selected to Who's Who in American Education the past two years. Michael has also served the high school sports community for the past 33 years, serving as a WIAA high school basketball referee. Michael is proud to be a Wisconsin educator, a Social Studies teacher, a member of NCSS and WCSS, and a Social Studies advocate. Mike and his wife Tova live in suburban Milwaukee.
High School
Lou A. Kindschi of Oregon High School, Oregon, WI
Lou A. Kindschi has been a social studies educator at Oregon High School for nine years. She received undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Spanish from UW-Madison, with one year of study in Spain. These degrees were enhanced by summers of self-funded international travel. She also graduated from the UW-Madison Law School with a focus on international law and mediation which included research and an internship in Southeast Asia. These experiences fostered an appreciation for global diversity and the role that access to education plays in the development of global citizenship. Volunteering in schools and working with passionate educators inspired her to change career paths and become a teacher. Her teaching certification included work in Australia.
As a teacher she has traveled with students to Central America and received a Fulbright grant to develop curriculum about Rwanda that will soon be available online. She looks forward to being involved in Culture Club, AFS and traveling to Germany with her high school students.
Mohandas Gandhi said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” Aspiring to live by this philosophy she has developed and teaches a Global Diversity Studies course. It is her hope that her students, as global citizens, will embark on lifelong journeys of growth.
2009 Recipients
High School
Ann Scharfenberg of New Richmond High School, New Richmond, WI
Ann teaches Introduction to Economics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics and Global Issues. She has a Master’s Degree from UW—La Crosse and Bachelor’s from Minnesota State University – Mankato. Ann has been active with the College Board, Economics Wisconsin, and the Council for Economic Education. She participated in a study tour to Russia and an international economic curriculum writing program in Romania. She has taught at New Richmond high School the last fifteen years as well as serving as an AP Economics reader the past four years.
2008 Recipients
High School
Valerie Elzinga of Valders High School, Valders, WI
Valerie has been teaching in Valders for the past 11 years. She teaches World History, U.S. History, and Psychology. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lakeland College and a Master's Degree from UW-Milwaukee. A resident of Howards Grove, she was born and raised in France and lived there for 20 years before coming to the United States. She has also lived in the African countries of Malawi and Tunisia. Her interest in other cultures has played an important part in her teaching. Valerie is married to Jeff and they have three children, Eliot, Celine, and Paul.
Middle School
John M. Wuebben of Einstein Middle School, Appleton, WI
John is a Sun Prairie native who currently teaches 8th grade U.S. History at Einstein Middle School and serves as Curriculum Support Specialist for the Appleton Area School District. Prior to his 22 years in Appleton, he taught at Janesville Parker High School and Spooner High School. He has education degrees from UW-Madison and UW-Oshkosh. During his career, he has worked on various state-wide projects to promote geographic understanding and has been connected with the methods training program at UW-Oshkosh. He formerly served as a Board Member for WCSS. He also coaches varsity soccer at Appleton North and West High.
Elementary School
Kathy Riederer of Webster Stanley Elementary School, Oshkosh, WI
Kathy is currently a fourth grade teacher and in her sixth year at Webster Stanley Elementary. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2002 with a degree in elementary education. She is co-advisor of the school's student-run newspaper, the Webster Wave and co-advises the SAILORS (Students Are Important Leaders Of Respect in School), a fourth and fifth grade leadership group. She recently collaborated on an article, "When University Social Studies Methods Faculty and Classroom Teachers Collaborate: There's Time for Powerful Social Studies!"
Teacher of the Year for High School - Erik Jappinen
Erik Jappinen has been a Social Studies teacher, specifically a U.S. History teacher, in the Oconomowoc Area School District for 30 years. He spent the first twenty six years teaching 8th grade U.S. History and transitioned to Oconomowoc High School four years ago, where he currently teaches regular and AP U.S. History. Erik has a passion for teaching history and makes it a priority by being engaged in professional committees and a participant to several history institutes. Moreover, Erik finds his passion for teaching history in the hearts and minds of his students. He prides his work as an educator in building relationships with his students so that they ignite a passion to love history and learning too.
2023 Recipients- Teacher of the Year - Steve Argo
Last April, I completed one 10-mile leg of an 80-mile ruck march to honor the 1,000 Americans killed on the harrowing Bataan Death March from World War Two. I have been teaching in Baraboo since 2000. For 13 years I taught AP U.S. History and I have been actively teaching AP U.S. Government and AP Comparative Politics for the entire time. I am very happily married to an English teacher who's at Sauk Prairie High School and we have one daughter who attends college at UW Eau Claire. My favorite "social studies memories" have been leading several week-long student trips to Washington, D.C. and a fundraiser I organized last year to raise money for Team Rubicon for their operations in Ukraine.
2022 Recipients- WCSS Teacher of the Year - Toni Fink:
As a second-grade teacher at the Milwaukee Spanish Immersion School, I am proud of my Latinx heritage and have had the privilege of growing up in Milwaukee, living in two Spanish speaking countries, and exploring five more. These experiences help me connect on a personal level with my students and families. I am passionate about seeing my students do well, both in and outside the classroom. I strive to engage students to become empathetic, active citizens. My favorite part of teaching social studies is bringing in the students’ personal experiences and knowledge. Milwaukee is such a diverse community that everyone has something to contribute to our collective learning. My goal is to be creative in effective teaching strategies, meeting students where they are, and helping them grow to their fullest potential. I continue my personal quest to keep learning FOR my students and FROM my students. As a matter of fact, I am currently being tutored by my students in the basics of Pokémon. :) When I am not teaching, I enjoy learning new things, cooking, reading, nature and being with family and friends.
2021 Recipients- Lack of Recipient per Beyond-ference* and Outside Circumstances
2020 Recipients
Elementary Teacher of the Year--Kate Van Haren
“He who teaches, learns.” Kate heard this proverb while learning and designing lessons in Ethiopia during the summer of 2018. For Kate, the ability to teach and to learn are inseparable. She has been fortunate to travel, teach, and learn in many different places around the world. Some of her unique experiences include teaching Lake Superior history from the back of a Voyageur Canoe, designing an outdoor learning class as a Peace Corps volunteer in Macedonia, sharing sustainable agriculture techniques on a farm located in the Yakama reservation, and playing English verbs and adjectives Bingo with students across rural Poland. Each of these experiences has enhanced Kate’s own knowledge and teaching ability as she prepares her Pittsville 4th and 5th graders to be local and global leaders in their communities. In addition to finding creative and engaging methods to incorporate academic standards in curriculum, her favorite teaching moments are when students are able to make personal connections to their own cultures with communities of the past and present. Kate models how to be a community leader by serving on various leadership committees within her school leads several afterschool activities and serves on the Pittsville Area Community Theater Board of Directors. Her travel and teaching experiences in traditional and unconventional classrooms have provided Kate with unique perspectives as she works with educators across the United States to design a curriculum that addresses the use of primary sources in elementary classrooms, teaches issues of human rights, and integrates sustainability standards into social studies topics. Through her life experiences, Kate tries to teach all of her students that learning is integral to being a leader, and happens in every aspect of living.
Middle School Teacher of the Year--Derek Oppelt
Derek Oppelt, a 6th grade social studies teacher. He has taught his entire 14 year career teaching at Onalaska Middle School. He believes strongly in having students become a part of history through reenactments and role playing activities that engage students in essential standards, such as students deciding how to allocate funds in the republic system of ancient Rome or putting on mock trials of ancient leaders like Genghis Khan. At Onalaska Middle School, he is known for doing whatever it takes to help kids succeed and collaborating with his colleagues to create exciting ways for kids to show high levels of learning. Most of all, Derek is proud of his two young sons growing into great people and his amazing wife, also a teacher known for inspiring others.
High School Teacher of the Year--Elayna Clark
Elayna Clark is in her 15th year teaching at Wausau West High School. She currently teaches AP Psychology and World History. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from UW Milwaukee in 2004 and her Master’s Degree in Teaching History in 2010. Elayna became a Nationally Board Certified teacher in Social Studies-History in 2018. She is highly involved in her school community and has served as a track and cross country coach, key club adviser, PBIS committee member, and Tech Mentor in the past. Currently, she is the Department Chair, Homecoming Adviser, Senior Walk Coordinator, WEAF Scholarship Committee member, and a district Professional Development teacher. Elayna has also had several professional development travel grant opportunities, including an NEH fellowship to South Africa and a Gilder Lehrman Fellowship to the 9/11 Memorial Museum in New York City. She feels so lucky to be supported by the best colleagues, wonderful parents and extended family. Most importantly, she has the love and support of her amazing husband, and fellow teacher, Paul and their two young children: Henry (6) and Penelope (4). She loves spending time with her family & friends, traveling the world, working out, reading, and drawing.
2019 Recipients
Elementary Teacher of the Year
Kevin Podeweltz (Ringle)
Kevin Podeweltz comes from the Wausau area. He attended UW-Stevens Point for Elementary Education, with a minor in Broadfield Social Studies. Kevin currently teaches fourth grade at Riverside Elementary (D.C. Everest) in Ringle. He’s been there since 2010. Kevin attended Viterbo for his 316 Reading Teacher license. In December 2018, Kevin was also certified as a National Board Certified Teacher.
As a teacher, Kevin loves teaching elementary school and the variety of subjects. Being in a self-contained classroom allows for creativity and integration. For social studies, he focuses on Wisconsin History. Wisconsin History is a favorite of his students because of hands-on simulations, labs, and use of primary sources. Passion for social studies drives him to seek out summer learning workshops that he works to incorporate into his classroom. In recent years he’s attended many summer learning sessions, including the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute, Freedoms Foundation’s Heros and Heroines program, and the Mickelson/ExxonMobil Teachers Academy. Kevin is currently an advisor for Fuel Up to Play 60 and Battle of the Books.
When there is “extra” time available, Kevin spends time volunteering in the community. Kevin is highly active in his church where he helps lead the confirmation program, sings in the choir, and volunteers for special events. One week of his summer is typically devoted to a mission trip. Kevin is humbled to receive the honor of Elementary Social Studies Teacher of the Year and hopes to continue to share his passion for social studies with students for many years to come.
Middle School Teacher of the Year
Ann Viegut (Wausau)
Ann Viegut teaches World Geography at John Muir Middle School in Wausau, Wisconsin. She works to foster geographic connections between her classroom, the community of Wausau and the world. Geographic field trips, local speaking experiences, arranging traveling floor maps and running the annual Geographic Bee are just a few methods she utilizes. When John Muir was a middle school, Ann worked with her colleagues to develop and implement The Amazing Wausau Race, placing students in the community completing standards-based challenges. Additionally, she is a part of a community of educators entitled, A Walk in Their Shoes, whose sole purpose is to bring compelling stories of our world to students and community of Central Wisconsin.
Ann graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education degree and a minor in Anthropology. Ann went on to complete her Masters in Education at the University of WisconsinStevens Point, National Board Certification and National Geographic Educator Certification. Her love of Social Studies was fostered by her involvement in both the WCSS and WIGA organizations. In 1992, she completed the first of many Wisconsin Geographic Institutes in which she served as both a participant and Teacher Consultant. The Wisconsin Geographic alliance has given her the opportunity to bring experiences into her classroom - some of which included studying glaciers in Alaska, mapping the Atlantic Ocean floor with Naval oceanographers and exploring marine life in the Florida Keys, the Kingdom of Tonga and Channel Islands. Most recently, Ann spent time working with students on the NGS-Lindblad polar bear expedition to the Svalbard archipelago. Professionally, Ann has served on the WCSS Board of Directors and WIGA Board of Directors and has presented at NGGE, NCSS, WCSS and the WIGA Geo-fest. She has also shared her knowledge developing curriculum for Rand McNally, McDougal-Littell, Glencoe and the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board; advising on the TV series, Wisconsin Our Home and the interactive program, Into the Map.
Ann also worked with educators across the state to write the Geography Strand of the Wisconsin State Social Studies Standards released in 2018. In 2000, Ann was presented The Wisconsin Geographic Alliance Service Award. She received the Kohl Fellowship in 2007 and in 2012, The University of Wisconsin- Madison identified Ann as an Alumni of the Year. Finally, in 2011 she was named a Grosvenor Teacher Fellow by the National Geographic Society.
High School Teacher of the Year
Dan Dargenio (Marshfield)
Dan Dargenio has taught World Studies Essentials, World Studies Regulars, and Advanced Placement European History for eleven years at Marshfield High School. During this time Dan and his wife Shauna, a US History and Psychology teacher, have been raising two energetic and spirited boys, Jeron (5) and Jace (2). He has periodically coached numerous middle school sports, high school basketball, and collegiate basketball, as well as becoming a realtor for the past five years.
His passion for analyzing and teaching the human journey, or Social Studies, truly emerged in his first few years of teaching. At Marshfield High School, the AP program was becoming a fundamental piece of the school’s culture in the early 2000s and as a young teacher he was mentored by outstanding veteran AP teachers in the amount of time, energy, passion, and knowledge it would take to become a great teacher. He took those lessons and applied them throughout his Essentials, Regulars, and AP classrooms and slowly but surely developed a strong rapport with students and their families.
Dan serves as an AP Data Analyst for the Marshfield School District, is a member of the AP Leadership Team, works as the AP Teacher Mentor for new AP teachers, and sits on the WAPAC board (Wisconsin Advanced Placement Advisory Council). Additionally, he has organized and led four student trips to England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, New York City, and Washington DC in order to create a comprehensive experience, both in and out of the classroom, for his students. Dan believes that with the array of information his students are bombarded with on an hourly basis through social media, etc. it is imperative that his students learn how to quickly analyze information, scrutinize the source, and form an educated opinion on a particular topic. Through a lecture based environment with consistent large group discussions and small group sessions, he wants students to have a welcoming and safe environment full of energy, passion, and intellect. Dan believes his job as an educator is to create critical and analytical thinkers so they are able to address the challenges of this every changing world.
2018 Recipients
Elementary Teacher of the Year--Peter Michaud (New Berlin)
Peter Michaud is a long-time elementary educator. He began his career teaching in St. Paul, Minnesota. He then taught third and fourth grades in Atlanta Public Schools. In Atlanta, he was the recipient of the Excellence in Education Award from Atlanta Public Schools. He has spent the last 27 years teaching in Southeast Wisconsin. Social studies has been a passion of Peter’s since his own fourth grade year. He was intrigued about the world and its many cultures. This high interest led him to become a dedicated teacher of social studies, where he brings curriculum to life with simulations, debates, literature, and real-life applications. Peter has participated in educational travel programs in Germany (through the Goethe Institut), and in Japan (through the Chiba Sister School Exchange Program). Additionally, Peter has traveled around the country, taking part in numerous professional development workshops. These experiences all combine to enrich the learning opportunities of Peter’s students. Peter has had leadership roles in several professional organizations. These include the following: Wisconsin Geographic Alliance, where he is a member of the Steering Committee and a frequent presenter in geography education; Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, where he served on the board and has presented at several state conferences; Wisconsin Media Lab, where Peter has done consulting work; Department of Public Instruction, where he served as a lead writer for the Environmental Learning and Sustainability Standards. Peter is honored to be recognized as “Wisconsin Social Studies Elementary Teacher of the Year.”
Middle School Teacher of the Year--Sarah Kopplin (Shorewood)
Sarah Kopplin began her teaching career in Apple Valley, MN and has taught at Shorewood Intermediate School near Milwaukee for fifteen years. During this time she has also served as the head varsity cross country and track coach at Shorewood High School. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse, where she was a member of the Track & Field and Cross Country programs, and a master’s in education from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. In 2009, Sarah constructed a course change for social studies at the 7th grade level. The world geography course has a contemporary cultural focus and incorporates authentic learning experiences, 1:1 technology, project-based learning, and has an individualized focus. Sarah is passionate about exposing her students to real world issues that impact people and the environment and wants her students to develop strong research, critical thinking, and metacognition skills. She facilitated a school-wide, cross-curricular “Refugee Experience” simulation and designed a unit of study to help her students learn about the global refugee crisis. Her students create websites that serve as digital learning profiles which allow for reflection and confidence building. She also engages her students in an international video competition which analyzes the impact that global population growth has on people and the environment and had a first place winner in the competition last year. In 2014, Sarah was recognized by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Alliance of Black School Educators as Educator of the year and in 2015, she received the Shorewood Excellence in Teaching Award and the Wisconsin Cross Country Association award for Cross Country coach of the year. Sarah loves to spend time with her husband Keith, travel, cook, run, hike, and all things Harry Potter.
High School Teacher of the Year--Christine Kadonsky (Wausau)
Christine Kadonsky is in her 17th year of teaching Early U.S. History to ninth grade students at Wausau West High School in her hometown. Christine has developed a curriculum that focuses on primary source analysis and discipline literacy skills. She strives to create interactive lessons, like navigating using the stars in the school planetarium, conducting a mock trial of a Supreme Court case, facilitating a Westward Expansion Historical Research Project and organizing a Civil War Day. With her teaching colleagues, Christine utilizes costumes, play acting and music to create engaging lecture presentations. Christine believes in the importance of providing rigorous curriculum, which includes differentiating instruction to meet the diverse needs of all students. Since 2014, Christine has served as Department Chair. Christine earned a B.A. – Broadfield Social Studies Education (2001) and an M.A. – History (2006) from UW – Eau Claire. She earned her master’s degree by completing two fellowships, the Learning by Doing TAH Grant Fellowship at UWEC and the James Madison Memorial Foundation Fellowship. In the summer of 2010, Christine served as the James Madison Congressional Fellow in the office of Representative Bobby Scott (VA). Christine credits WCSS will providing much of her continuing professional development in social studies education. She served on the WCSS Executive Board for 15 years, serving as Awards Committee Chair, EdCamp Organizer and Recording Secretary. Christine strives to model the importance of lifelong learning to her students and to demonstrate her passion for history. During the summers, she has participated in 24 out-of-state seminars and study trips to six countries. Christine serves as a Teacher Facilitator for a George Washington Teacher Institute at Mount Vernon. In 2016, Christine was honored to be recognized by Wausau Daily Herald Media with the “20 Under 40” young professional leadership award. In addition, she received the 2014 Wisconsin VFW High School Teacher of the
2017 Recipient
High School
David Olson of James Madison Memorial High School in Madison
David Olson is a veteran teacher and leader in Social Studies and Civic education. He has spent a decade of his career in education at the middle school, high school and college levels. He currently teaches AP U.S. Government and Politics, Modern U.S. History and Criminal Justice at James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, WI. In addition to teaching, David serves as Department Chair, Forensics coach, Tennis coach, Student-Athlete leadership advisor, and is a member of the school-based leadership team.
David’s central passion is studying and teaching the Constitution. From creating a Criminal Justice course that teaches students about their rights and responsibilities when interacting with law enforcement to having his AP Government students hold mock Supreme Court hearings, David’s classes connect the words of the Constitution to the realities of our world.
David graduated with degrees in Government and International Affairs and Secondary Education from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD and later received his Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He has presented at the Midwest Political Science Association conference and is a member of the iCivics Educator Network. David also participated as a Fellow with the Center for the Study of the American Constitution. He regularly serves as an AP Reader. David is honored to help spread his passion for civics and the Constitution (his students can tell you he always carries a pocket Constitution in his bag). His students regularly serve as local poll workers.
Despite moving to Packer country a decade ago, David retains his childhood devotion to the Minnesota Vikings and Twins. He is married to Amy, a school counselor, and they have two beautiful and spunky redheads - Caroline and Johannah. David enjoys following professional and college sports, playing with his children, and keeping up on the news.
2016 Recipients
Middle School
Erin Patchak of Bay View Middle School in the Howard Suamico School District
Erin Patchak teaches 7th and 8th grade social studies at Bay View Middle School in the Howard Suamico School District. She serves as Social Studies Department Head, District Peer Coach, and a District Curriculum Team Representative. While she has seen many curriculum shifts and changes in her 12 year career thus far, her teaching philosophy has remained the same. “I want to build positive relationships and show my students the relevance in what we learn about together.”
Whether in or outside of her classroom, Erin works to provide rigorous and relevant learning opportunities that teach students to think like historians, economists and sociologists. She implements such learning experiences as a mock trial where students examine Amendments to the Constitution and then relate how district policies and state law pertain to a fictitious case. In doing so, she invites district administrators to testify, and students take on active roles in a simulated courtroom experience. From encouraging the design of an International Monopoly Tournament to teach trade relations, to an immigration simulation to raise awareness of growing diversity in the community, to her students’ recent “Shark Tank: Educators Give Back” charity campaign, Erin believes that all students can bring unique learning experiences to the table. They just need to be given ongoing, motivating experiences to do so.
Erin received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from St. Norbert College. She was recognized as a Partners of Education Golden Apple Award winner in 2006 and was honored to be named the 2013 National History Day Patricia Behring Junior Division Teacher of the Year for Wisconsin. She has been a National History Day teacher since 2006 and has coached students at the regional, state, and national levels. Sometimes dubbed the “singing history teacher” by her students, outside of her social studies classroom, Erin enjoys combining her love of teaching with her passion for the performing arts by serving as a director, choreographer, and clinician for northeastern Wisconsin middle schools and high schools. At Bay View Middle School she directs and choreographs the musical, show choir, and the annual Bay View Idol Competition. While she loves her “role” as a teacher and director, her favorite role by far is that of wife and mom. Erin lives in Suamico with her husband Josh, son Mason, and daughter Emalyn
High School
Jason Bretzmann of Muskego High School
Jason Bretzmann has been learning with his students and encouraging innovation since the mid-’90s. He teaches AP Government and a civics course called American Issues at Muskego High School. He is also his high school’s Innovation Integrator. Jason has been a leader in using technology and flipped learning in the classroom, and an advocate for personalized professional development for each teacher. He consistently uses engaging teaching techniques to give his students opportunities to learn the content, build relationships, foster curiosity, and develop or practice skills.
Jason is a connected educator and frequently shares educational ideas on Twitter as @jbretzmann. He is a well-respected national presenter, and has delivered engaging and practical presentations throughout the United States and in Canada. Some of his favorite presentations have been to fellow social studies teachers at the WCSS Conferences, and at the Advanced Placement National Conference. Jason is also co-author and publisher of the books “Flipping 2.0: Practical Strategies for Flipping Your Class,” and “Personalized PD: Flipping Your Professional Development.” He also founded and consults with The Bretzmann Group on flipclass, personalized PD, and edtech strategies. Jason's family includes his amazing wife Chris, and sons Jack and Cooper.
2015 Recipient
High School
Jen Wachowski of Mishicot School District
Jen Wachowski has taught in Mishicot School District for an eventful 10 years. Through those years, she has taught such classes as AP World, AP United States and AP Government and Politics; along with courses such as US and World History. Her mission is simple: promote critical thinking skills, collaboration, reading and writing skills, and most important, provide students the experience that history can be inviting and exciting.
When not in the classroom, she attends professional development programs including the 2014 Medal of Honor and Citizenship sponsored by the Freedoms Foundation based out of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Other programs she has participated in that have enhance my teaching were WASAH Grant Program (Wisconsin Academy for the Study of American History), The Center for the Study of the American Constitution (Madison, WI) , and the teacher institute at Colonial Williamsburg. Jen is currently a Manitowoc Historical Society Board member in helping promote historical interest through my local community of Manitowoc County.
2014 Recipients
High School
Pam Kaiser of Osceola High School in Osceola, WI
Pam Kaiser has taught at the Osceola High School in Osceola, WI for 24 years. She teaches American Government and 20th Century History to sophomores. Pam has taught AP Psychology for 3 years and loves it! She also keeps busy as the coordinator for her Driver’s Ed. Program as well. Pam volunteers as the Membership Director for the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies (WCSS). Pam states, “It is through WCSS that I have made great teaching connections with fellow teachers and travel opportunities. I feel it is important to share my love of travel with my students, so they can embrace the opportunities which are available to them if they seek them out.” Pam has traveled to Germany, China, Portugal, and the British Isles and enjoys bringing these adventures back to her classroom.
2013 Recipients
Middle School
Alan Schneider of Templeton Middle School, Sussex, WI
Alan Schneider is currently in his 18th year of teaching 7th grade social studies at Templeton Middle School in Sussex. Alan received his Bachelor’s Degree from Marquette University with a major in European History and earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Alan has served as social studies department head, and is active in curriculum revision and critical thinking development across the grade levels in the Hamilton School District. Since 2001, he has been a central part of his school’s Veteran’s Day program. Outside of school, he has presented at Geo Fest on behalf of the Wisconsin Geographic Alliance.
Alan believes it is the mission of social studies teachers to tell the story of our past and, therefore, the story of us today. He strives each day to make his curriculum exciting, engaging and relevant. Alan attempts to recreate the past with simulations, re-enactments and many hands-on activities. He has invited several Holocaust Survivors to share their experiences directly with his students and has embraced local WWII Vets, including the last dancing B-29’er, Henry Ratensky, who not only speaks about his last mission of the war over Japan, but then teaches Alan’s seventh graders how to swing dance! Alan also integrates technology into his classroom on a daily basis. With the use of Google Earth, iPad walking tours, and Skype, he attempts to bring the world into his classroom and make the voices of the past come alive!
Alan has traveled extensively with students throughout Europe and the United States. He has organized and led to trips on his own with local war vets and students from the Hamilton School District. Alan also serves as a Delegation Leader with the People to People Student Ambassador Program. He is the advisor for Templeton Middle School’s Ski & Board Club and has been leading the annual school trip to Colorado for the last 14 years. Also, he serves as the head coach of the Hamilton High School boys and girls tennis programs. Outside the classroom Alan enjoys running, downhill skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and tennis. He enjoys traveling, especially to mountains! He is greatly honored by the award and proud to teach the students and families of the Hamilton School District.
High School
Parisa Watson of Westosha Central High School, Salem, WI
Parisa is currently in her 11th year of teaching high school social studies. She currently teaches AP Human Geography and US History at Westosha Central High School in Salem, Wisconsin. Some of Parisa's favorite lessons involve integrating technology into her instruction - utilizing tools such as Google Maps to relay stories and events, and Google Docs so students can collaborate and utilize technology in order to be better prepared for life, post-high school. She also enjoys incorporating current events in US History and geography lessons as they help students see real-world, daily relevance beyond the classroom, while still reinforcing key concepts. She is very passionate about social studies and enjoys helping other teachers with lessons or ideas to help with instruction and student learning.
Parisa has been an active member of the Wisconsin Geographic Alliance, serving as a member of the steering committee, contributing to WIGA's website and social media, and organizing alliance-sponsored AP Human Geography workshops. She has also presented at the WCSS conference and the National Conference on Geography Education on topics such as incorporating Google Maps in the classroom and localizing AP Human Geography concepts.
The AP Human Geography program is a passion of Parisa's. She has been involved in the program since 2006, attending summer institutes and one day conferences offered by the College Board. She's also served as an AP reader and then table leader for the AP Human Geography Exam. Parisa finds the APHG reading to be superb professional development - an annual opportunity to meet and collaborate from other dedicated teachers from around the globe as well as a chance to gain insights into being a stronger facilitator of learning.
Parisa has many outside interests including watching the Cubs win, going to Packer games, spending time with her family. She hopes to travel more in the future. She feels fortunate to work with so many great teachers at a supportive school. She's honored and humbled by the WCSS award. Parisa currently lives in Trevor, Wisconsin with her husband and two daughters.
Middle School
Gail Schlicht of Greenfield Middle School, Greenfield, WI
Gail has been teaching since 1978. She has been a social studies teacher for the past twenty years. She was recognized in 1998 as the Greenfield Middle School Teacher of the Year and awarded the Herb Kohl Fellowship Award in 2002. In the summer of 2007, Gail was one of 50 United States teachers who were invited to South Korea for the Korean Studies Workshop for American educators.
Gail has initiated and developed the district Geography Bee and implemented geography T-shirt day in the middle school for the past 16 years. She volunteers at the state wide geography bee, too. Gail continues to be involved in the development, improvement and implementation of the district’s social studies curriculum. She has organized visits from veterans and student run fundraisers to support our troops and needy members of the community. Gail promotes service learning projects to help students realize that they can make a difference in the world. A major goal for Gail is helping students connect what they are learning in social studies class to their everyday lives and the world around them. Her motto is displayed in many places in her classroom and school …“Be the Change You Want to See in the World.”
Gail is known for her enthusiasm and wonderful connections she makes with her students. Gail is universally recognized by staff for her positive leadership skills and for being an exemplary teacher who puts in incredibly long hours for her students. She is an exceptional role model among teachers. Gail reaches out to others and is willing to share her experience, her ideas, and her work. This makes her an excellent team member who displays outstanding leadership qualities with just the right hint of light-hearted humor and fun.
Gail constantly seeks growth as an educator. She is always staying at the forefront of technology advancements through professional development opportunities. Every effort is made to keep students engaged in their learning. Gail integrates, develops and utilizes web quests, power point presentations, class web page, internet searches and hot lists, and Smart Board technologies, etc. to help students learn more about our world today.
Throughout her career, Gail has traveled extensively. A portion of this traveling was with several People to People Student Ambassador programs. Gail comes back to school after a summer travel experience armed with new material and knowledge to share with her students. Her students become immersed in each region and its culture. Walking into her classroom is a delight because of her fervor for social studies!
Gail is honored and proud to be recognized by WCSS. She continues to be most passionate about the teaching profession and believes that being a teacher is a most rewarding and gratifying profession.
2012 Recipients
High School
Sara Kreibich of Somerset High School, Somerset, WI
Sara is currently in her 12th year of teaching high school Social Studies. She currently teaches Civics, World History, U.S. History, Geography and Economics at Somerset High School and previously taught for 11 years at Osceola High School in Osceola, WI. Sara grew up in Chippewa Falls, WI and did her undergraduate work at Winona State University (Winona, MN) and the University of Wisconsin River Falls where she graduated in 1999 with a Secondary Education (Social Studies and Spanish) degrees. She continued her education at Silver Lake College (Manitowoc, WI) with a Master’s Degree in 2007 in Administrative Leadership (Director of Instruction/PK-12 Principal). She has also completed extensive graduate level work in U.S. History, History Education, brain-based learning and teacher mentoring/coaching.
Sara has worked on various committees and projects for the DPI including the Common Core State Standards Leadership Team for Disciplinary Literacy, the Social Studies frameworks committee, and others. She has also worked on creating programing and resources for the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board and worked on a three year Teaching American History Grant that focused on connecting state and local history to U.S. History using historic sites, primary sources and best teaching practices in Social Studies.
Other areas of her professional work have focused on the development of disciplinary literacy and critical thinking in Social Studies, implementing rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge into Social Studies curriculum, creating effective and realistic formative and summative assessments for both teaching and learning, using data to shape Social Studies instruction, collaboration and support programs for new and veteran teachers and establishing student advising/mentoring programs.
Sara currently lives in Somerset, WI, with her husband Cory, a third grade teacher, and her sons Trae (9) and Caeden (6), and her daughter Drew (8). She feels extremely honored to be chosen by the WCSS as a representative for the hard-working, dedicated Social Studies teachers in Wisconsin who daily lead students on a path toward global, economic and civic literacy. And she is extremely proud to be a Wisconsin teacher.
Middle School
Chuck Taft of University School of Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI
Chuck has been teaching 8th grade American history at USM for 14 years. As with most teachers in the field, Chuck’s favorite lessons are engaging activities and simulations, since understanding the past is not a spectator sport. He enjoys integrating technology into his instruction and relating historical content to the present day. All of Chuck’s students research and create National History Day projects each year, and many Wildcat historians have gone on to success at the regional, state, and national level of the excellent program. He has also spearheaded many service learning projects focusing on veterans’ issues, including helping raise money for Honor Flights, working with Vietnam Veterans for Stand Down, and supporting Dry Hootch in Milwaukee. The highlight of the year for Chuck is making the yearlong curriculum cove alive on a five day class trip to Washington DC and Gettysburg. Chuck also serves as the middle school Social Studies Department Chair and is also one of the two Academic Deans for the middle school.
Chuck has presented at many regional and national conferences on various topics, including “Teaching Vietnam in the Middle School”, “Making History Day Happen”, “21st Century tools in Social Studies”, and “What’s Your Status, George Washington?” His students’ activities and projects have been featured in Social Education and Tech Learning.
A firm believer in travel for professional development, Chuck has taken advantage of the generous grant program at USM to fund historical travel to visit Virginia to study the Civil War and to the Deep South to explore both the Civil Rights Movement and the Civil War. He joined a team of USM teachers on a service learning trip to Vietnam and Cambodia in 2009, traveling to historical and cultural locations and spending time with students at an orphanage and school. Most recently, he traveled to England and France to retrace the development and execution of Operation Overlord and will be highlighting his experiences in a school assembly in April.
Chuck is proud to be a social studies teacher and a transplanted Wisconsinite, and he is honored to be recognized by the awesome professionals of WCSS. Social studies education is a great passion for Chuck, but not as much as spending time with his wife and three kids. He also enjoys reading, movies, and proudly rooting for the Detroit Lions and Tigers.
Elementary School
Sher Brandl of Dickinson Elementary School, De Pere, WI
Sher is a kindergarten teacher in her 18th year at Dickinson Elementary. She received her bachelor's degree from UW-Green Bay with a concentration in growth and development. She founded the St. Vincent Hospital childcare center, eventually leaving to raise her children. She returned to education about a decade later, earning her master's degree from Silverlake College, focusing on multiage education. She started out teaching first grade, but quickly created and implemented the first multiage program in the De Pere school district. She studied the TRIBES framework and integrated it into her classroom. She founded Dickinson Elementary's Earth Club, and has been the advisor for the past twelve years. She has conducted numerous community service projects with her students, and helped maintain a school prairie and garden. She is passionate about creating lifelong learners who are respectful of the environment and each other. Sher and her husband David have three wonderful daughters who have supported her throughout her career.
2011 Recipient
High School
David Berns of Wausau West High School, Wausau, WI
David Berns is in his seventeenth year of teaching Secondary Social Studies in Wisconsin public schools. After receiving his Bachelors Degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1991, he first served two years in the US Peace Corps as a teacher trainer before beginning his career with the Germantown School District in 1994. In 1997, David received his Masters Degree in Curriculum Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since then, David has continued his post graduate studies, accumulating over 40 additional graduate credits in Economics and History classes beyond his Master Degree. During his eleven years with the Germantown School District, David taught Economics, Political Science, Social Problems, Law & You, and US History. For the past six years, David has taught for the Wausau School District at Wausau West High School. At Wausau West, he has taught Economics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, and US History. Besides developing and teaching the AP Economics courses at Wausau West, David is active as an extracurricular co-advisor for the Wausau West Key Club and as the Homecoming co-advisor. Last year, David was selected to serve as the Wausau West Social Studies Department Chairperson, a position that he holds in addition to his teaching duties. Currently, David is co-leading an initiative to align the Wausau School District’s Social Studies curriculum with state and federal core content standards using Understanding by Design (UbD) philosophy. David’s greatest strengths are the enthusiasm, background knowledge, and the professionalism that he brings to the classroom every day, and he plans to teach high school Social Studies for many years to come.
2010 Recipients
Middle School
Susan D. Gogue of Jack Young Middle School, Baraboo, WI
Sue Gogue is an 8th grade World Geography teacher. During her 39 years of teaching, Sue has also taught Economics and Civics. She is a graduate of the UW – La Crosse, and has a Master’s Degree in Education Leadership from Winona State University. Sue has worked on various statewide projects; most recently as Co-Director of DPI’s Japan-Wisconsin Education Connection. Sue has presented many workshops and sectionals at WCSS, NCSS, Geofest as well as other educational venues. She formerly served on the WCSS Executive Board as a delegate and vice president. Her interest in cultures has led her and husband, Buddy, on journeys throughout the world. Their family includes four daughters and six grandchildren.
Middle School
Michael Koren of Maple Dale Middle School, Fox Point, WI
Michael Koren has been teaching Social Studies for the past 30 years at the middle school level in Wisconsin. Mike has been at Maple Dale School in suburban Milwaukee for the past 28 years, teaching World and U.S. History to sixth, seventh and eighth grade students. Michael is very active in the Social Studies field. He has served the past six years on the Board of Directors for the National Council for the Social Studies, the past ten years as Treasurer of the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies, and the past 16 years on the executive board of WCSS.
Mike has presented many workshops at state and national conferences and has published numerous materials for teachers over the years. He was recognized as a Kohl Award Educational Scholar in 2008 and has been selected to Who's Who in American Education the past two years. Michael has also served the high school sports community for the past 33 years, serving as a WIAA high school basketball referee. Michael is proud to be a Wisconsin educator, a Social Studies teacher, a member of NCSS and WCSS, and a Social Studies advocate. Mike and his wife Tova live in suburban Milwaukee.
High School
Lou A. Kindschi of Oregon High School, Oregon, WI
Lou A. Kindschi has been a social studies educator at Oregon High School for nine years. She received undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Spanish from UW-Madison, with one year of study in Spain. These degrees were enhanced by summers of self-funded international travel. She also graduated from the UW-Madison Law School with a focus on international law and mediation which included research and an internship in Southeast Asia. These experiences fostered an appreciation for global diversity and the role that access to education plays in the development of global citizenship. Volunteering in schools and working with passionate educators inspired her to change career paths and become a teacher. Her teaching certification included work in Australia.
As a teacher she has traveled with students to Central America and received a Fulbright grant to develop curriculum about Rwanda that will soon be available online. She looks forward to being involved in Culture Club, AFS and traveling to Germany with her high school students.
Mohandas Gandhi said, “Be the change that you want to see in the world.” Aspiring to live by this philosophy she has developed and teaches a Global Diversity Studies course. It is her hope that her students, as global citizens, will embark on lifelong journeys of growth.
2009 Recipients
High School
Ann Scharfenberg of New Richmond High School, New Richmond, WI
Ann teaches Introduction to Economics, AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics and Global Issues. She has a Master’s Degree from UW—La Crosse and Bachelor’s from Minnesota State University – Mankato. Ann has been active with the College Board, Economics Wisconsin, and the Council for Economic Education. She participated in a study tour to Russia and an international economic curriculum writing program in Romania. She has taught at New Richmond high School the last fifteen years as well as serving as an AP Economics reader the past four years.
2008 Recipients
High School
Valerie Elzinga of Valders High School, Valders, WI
Valerie has been teaching in Valders for the past 11 years. She teaches World History, U.S. History, and Psychology. She holds a Bachelor's Degree from Lakeland College and a Master's Degree from UW-Milwaukee. A resident of Howards Grove, she was born and raised in France and lived there for 20 years before coming to the United States. She has also lived in the African countries of Malawi and Tunisia. Her interest in other cultures has played an important part in her teaching. Valerie is married to Jeff and they have three children, Eliot, Celine, and Paul.
Middle School
John M. Wuebben of Einstein Middle School, Appleton, WI
John is a Sun Prairie native who currently teaches 8th grade U.S. History at Einstein Middle School and serves as Curriculum Support Specialist for the Appleton Area School District. Prior to his 22 years in Appleton, he taught at Janesville Parker High School and Spooner High School. He has education degrees from UW-Madison and UW-Oshkosh. During his career, he has worked on various state-wide projects to promote geographic understanding and has been connected with the methods training program at UW-Oshkosh. He formerly served as a Board Member for WCSS. He also coaches varsity soccer at Appleton North and West High.
Elementary School
Kathy Riederer of Webster Stanley Elementary School, Oshkosh, WI
Kathy is currently a fourth grade teacher and in her sixth year at Webster Stanley Elementary. She graduated from UW-Oshkosh in 2002 with a degree in elementary education. She is co-advisor of the school's student-run newspaper, the Webster Wave and co-advises the SAILORS (Students Are Important Leaders Of Respect in School), a fourth and fifth grade leadership group. She recently collaborated on an article, "When University Social Studies Methods Faculty and Classroom Teachers Collaborate: There's Time for Powerful Social Studies!"