Weac Member Is Nominated For Disney Award

Oshkosh Education Association member John Pieper is one of 32 educators nationwide to be nominated for Disney's American Teacher Award. More than 185,000 teachers were nominated for the honor during 2002.

Pieper, a fifth-grade teacher at Webster Stanley Elementary in Oshkosh, was nominated in the intermediate teaching category. He received a $10,000 award, and his school will be awarded an additional $5,000.

"Becoming a teacher was an easy choice for me," Pieper said. "When added up, my parents, stepparents, sister and I have over 180 years of teaching experience among us."

In the classroom, Pieper places a strong emphasis on cooperative learning, and strives to connect his lessons with real-world situations.

Prior to becoming a teacher, Pieper served as a naval helicopter rescue crewman in the Vietnam War. He currently serves as the president of his Vietnam Veterans Association, and his class often partners with the veterans for community service projects.

Pieper and his principal, Patricia Vickman, have also been invited to participate in an October 2003 professional development program. The program was developed by the Center for Collaborative Education, and it will be held at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

"Until recently, students' heroes were movie stars or athletes," Vickman said. "Now they realize there are heroes in 'everyday' life. One such hero is John Pieper, both a master teacher and a veteran - someone who shares gifts of the heart, mind and soul with his school community."

Next fall, the Disney Company will name one of the 32 honorees as its Outstanding Teacher of the Year. That winner will receive a cash prize of $25,000, and his or her school will receive $10,000.

Posted March 18, 2003