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Four WEAC members are returning from the nation's capital with Presidential Citations for their excellence in classroom instruction.
River Falls mathematics teacher Susan Popelka, Milwaukee 5th-grade teacher Beth Schefelker, Eau Claire physics teacher James Schmitt and Columbus science teacher Susan Sewell each received a Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching this month.
Each educator traveled to Washington, D.C., March 18-23, 2003, for recognition activities, including an awards ceremony and meetings with government and education leaders. The honorees also received a $7,500 cash award from the National Science Foundation to improve science and mathematics instruction.
Popelka is a 25-year veteran of the classroom. She received National Board certification in the fall of 2002, and currently teaches at River Falls High School. She has written two books about science instruction, "Simple Science with Simple Stuff," and "More Simple Science with Simple Stuff."
With 17 years of experience in Milwaukee Public Schools, Schefelker is active in the implementation of the district's mathematics program. She teaches at Thoreau Elementary School, and has been described as a teacher who values interactive learning.
Schmitt, who teaches at Eau Claire's North High School, adds the Presidential Teaching Award to a list of honors, including the Milken Family Foundation National Educator Award, Kohl Teacher Fellowship, and Radio Shack National Science Teacher of the Year.
Sewell is a life and environmental science instructor at Columbus Middle School. She has been a lead teacher for the Wisconsin Academy Staff Development Initiative, and is a member of both state and national science teacher associations.
Nominations are being accepted for the 2003 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, which will honor 7-12 grade math and science teachers. Grade K-6 teachers will be eligible for nomination in 2004.
To nominate a colleague (self-nominations are not accepted) visit the
Presidential Teaching Awards
Web site.
Posted March 26, 2003