Volume 8 Issue 1
November 2003
The following are links to select articles from past Student Educators. Student membership provides the benefit of a FULL in-print version of the most current publications.
Fall Seminar Emphasizes Political Change and Educational Media
By AJ Heroux, Fall Seminar Coordinator and State President-Elect
There are very few places where you will feel as empowered, or more sure of your decision to enter the field of public education, than at the Student WEA Fall Seminar. At the recent Fall Seminar that was held on October 24th-25th at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, over 270 Student WEA members gathered to attend sessions that would further their knowledge of the teaching profession, and to hear keynote speakers that would move them, and inspire them to greatness in the classroom.
Sessions included important pedagogical issues like using differentiated instruction, understanding the role of technology, appreciating the variety of resources available for the classroom and becoming aware of how public policy impacts your everyday work in the classroom. Every student, regardless of year in school or major, was able to come away with some new knowledge.
The highlight of the conference was the two wonderful keynote speakers, Lily Eskelson and Ted Eischeid. Lily Eskelsen, NEA Secretary/Treasurer, delivered a passionate speech that was lined with stories and experiences that had you laughing so hard you cried, and had you realize how much of an impact you will have on the life of a child.
Ted Eischeid, a middle school science teacher from Fond du Lac, also delivered that same inspiring message by intermittently quoting his favorite role model, Mister Rogers, and telling us “we are all heroes”. He asked us to reflect on our years as students and to remember that special teacher who made a difference in our life; the one that went above and beyond, and perhaps, is part of the reason we’re going into education. He challenged us to take time to write that teacher a letter, thanking them for their efforts, and letting them know that they are heroes.
Fall Seminar was a great opportunity to meet students from across the state and to expand your understanding of public education. I highly encourage Student WEA members to attend Fall Seminar next year. It is an experience you won’t want to miss.
Wisconsin Receives National Awards
Hard work and determination have proven to pay off for the Student Wisconsin Education Association this past year. On June 27, 2003, in New Orleans the Wisconsin students were presented with three national awards. Wisconsin won the NEA Student Program State Excellence Award for the second consecutive year. This is thanks to outstanding local chapters and statewide events, such as our Professional Development Seminars and Outreach to Teach.
The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point won the Outstanding Local Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive year and UW-Stevens Point’s Diana Spargo won Outstanding Local Leader.
Congratulations to all of our winners. Remember to start thinking about applying for state and national awards this year. Contact Nicole Zimmerlee, mailto:zimmweleen@weac.org, for more information about the applications.
Leadership Conference a Success
By Justin Belot, UW-Milwaukee
We did it again! On October 29, 2003, UWM StWEA held their 2nd Annual Student Leadership Conference on the UW-Milwaukee campus. We organized the day's activities with help from five campus departments and a community organization. Over 150 Milwaukee Public High School students participated, almost doubling the attendance from last year! Along with hearing from the Vice Chancellor and taking a tour of the campus, the students attended workshops that covered topics of leadership, activism and budgeting/spending. Major funding came from a NEA-SP SOAR grant earmarked for minority and urban college recruitment.
Each student and chaperone completed an evaluation of the conference. Some of those comments are below.
• This was a well-planned and coordinated conference. I appreciate all the hard work you put into this.
• I learned more about myself and what my school can do to involve itself in leadership and activism.
• The conference helped introduce new people from different schools to me and helped find out what other schools are doing differently.
• I liked the way everyone interacted with each other.
• We got to share our own opinions on issues that are happening now.
We are very pleased with the success of this conference and want to thank everyone who helped us and everyone who attended. Together we can make a difference!