WEAC member Barbara Ries, an instructor at Chippewa Valley Technical College, has been nominated for the prestigious Teacher of the Year Award from the country’s leading career and technical education association.

The award, presented annually by Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) to a teacher who has made a significant contribution to the field career and technical education, will be given at the Association’s annual conference in December 2005.

Barbara, who earlier this year won ACTE’s Midwest Region Teacher of the Year award, currently serves as chair of the Mathematics and Physical Sciences Department at CVTC. She has taken a lead role in developing science and math curricula that are well integrated with the college’s occupational-specific programming. In addition, she worked with K-12 districts and UW institutions to develop more seamless programming that ease students’ transitions between high school, technical college and 4-year institutions.

Throughout her career, Barbara has placed particular importance in ensuring students achieve success. For example, her appointment to the statewide Under-Prepared Learners Committee has given Barbara an opportunity to shape the development of a new educational model intended to increase student achievement in the technical colleges.

In the classroom, Barbara emphasizes connecting mathematics theory with real-world math applications. She strives to engage the learner, using a variety of active learning techniques.

Students’ repeatedly express their appreciation of Barbara’s efforts. One CVTC student recently wrote, “For the first time I actually understand math! Thank You!”

Teacher of the Year nominees will be subjected to a day of interviews prior to the award announcement. Please wish Barbara well.