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President Mary Bell column: Wisconsin educators celebrate American Education Week
Posted: 11/11/2009 11:13:55 AM
DATE: November 11, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
To arrange an interview with President Bell, contact:
Christina Brey, WEAC Media Relations Officer, 608-298-2519
American Education Week is November 15 – 21
By Mary Bell
President of the Wisconsin Education Association Council
Schools and communities throughout our state are celebrating American Education Week November 15 – 21, a time when we all pull together to acknowledge the essential role of our public schools. Here in Wisconsin, we are fortunate to have a tradition of high quality education and our actions demonstrate a commitment to pulling together to do what’s right for students.
That’s because Wisconsin values education. We recognize that strong schools build strong economies and, in turn, strong communities.
Wisconsin’s educators partner this week with our communities to celebrate learning and student achievement. We have a lot to celebrate. Great educators like Spanish teacher Leah Lechleiter-Luke of Mauston, recently named Wisconsin Teacher of the Year for her devotion to helping her students learn. Art teacher Frank Juarez of Sheboygan, honored by his peers as an Outstanding Art Educator for creating opportunities for the teens he instructs. Education support professionals like sign language interpreter Lauren L. Watson of Milwaukee who positively impacts the lives of both deaf and hearing children every day. And educators like DeNeal Ericksen, Wisconsin’s Correctional Education Teacher of the Year.
What do they all have in common? They are all dedicated to the success of their students, just like thousands of other members who make up our union of educators.
There’s a real focus right now in Wisconsin and nationally on education, and ways to improve student learning. President Obama’s recent visit to Wisconsin offered a refreshing reminder to all of us of the essential role education plays in economic development. He absolutely got it right when he said the currency of today’s economy is knowledge.
Educators welcome that focus, and have been working to advance new approaches to ensure our education system remains among the best in the nation, At the state level, our union of educators has been supportive of new approaches and have been working with parents, school boards, administrators and others to take a close look at key issues, like making Wisconsin eligible for potential “Race to the Top” federal grants, and finding a better way to fund public education. We’ve embraced change as an opportunity to move Wisconsin forward.
We know any meaningful change takes teamwork – between educators, families and the entire community – to keep our schools strong. That’s why I invite you to get involved in your local school, and to see firsthand how you can support the important work happening there. Celebrate Wisconsin’s education tradition. Because great schools benefit everyone.
Mary Bell is the president of the Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC) and has 29 years experience as a library media specialist and English teacher.
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