Gogue, a WEAC member, has taught 8th-grade world geography for 30 years at Baraboo Middle School and formerly taught Economics. She received her award, including $2,500 cash and $5,000 in project funds, Thursday (November 3, 2005) at Jack Young Middle School's Japan Night in Baraboo.

A national committee of Japanese language and culture experts selected Gogue based on her dedication to teaching about Japan.

Gogue's students study the eastern Asia country as part of a six-week unit, which includes geography, history, dance, music, games, art and food. By the end of the unit, students are able to read and write katakana (a syllable-based Japanese writing system), and greet one another in Japanese.

Highlights of the unit include a field trip to a Japanese restaurant and "Japan Night." Last year, 105 students and six chaperones participated in the field trip, and more than 250 community members attended Japan Night where students displayed their projects, taught guests the Tanko Bushi, introduced the visiting Japanese teachers, and sold Japanese food and goods at the Japanese Store.

Gogue will use her winnings to expand Japan Night, allow more students to participate in the Japan restaurant field trip, and buy supplies for the Japan unit.

Gogue's vast experience includes touring Japan with the United States-Japan Foundation, serving as facilitator for the Great Lakes Japan in the Schools Project and participating in the Rocky Mountain Japan Project in Boulder, Colorado.

Since 2000, she has coordinated Baraboo School District's Japan-Wisconsin Education Connection – a partnership among DPI, the Japanese government and WEAC's Professional Development Academy. The program brings one or two Japanese teachers to Baraboo for four weeks during the unit on Japan.

More information can be found at www.us-jf.org.

Posted November 3, 2005