WEM—Celebrating Ten Years of Excellence in Education

On Oct. 18, the Center for Academic Excellence not only honored the 2008 recipients of the WEM Outstanding Educator Awards program, but they celebrated ten years of excellence in education with a special 10^th Anniversary celebration honoring and recognized the accomplishments of more than 120 teachers from across the state.  Over the past ten years, 60 Minnesota educators have received state awards for Teacher Achievement, Ethics in Education, and Academic Coach of the Year, in addition to over 60 regional honorees.

Joe Nathan from the Center for School Change, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota kicked off the celebration with an inspiring presentation on the importance of recognizing academic achievements. In addition he spoke to the importance of drawing on the knowledge and experience of the award-winning WEM educators in the room, asking for their assistance to help educate and inspire our future teachers and world leaders.

After the presentation of the 2008 Outstanding Educator Awards, three past honorees spoke on the impact of the WEM educator award to their lives, reflecting on important experiences and people who have marked their educational journey. Roger Mahn, 1999 Ethics in Education honoree, began by emphasizing the importance of modeling ethical standards both inside and outside the classroom, reflecting on the far-reaching impact to student lives.  Jim Schwarzbauer, 2004 Academic Coach of the Year, followed by citing examples of how academic outreach challenge programs influence, affect, challenge and change the lives of students.  Sharing that several of his student participants from the small Hermantown High School teams have gone on to become state and national leaders, exemplifying the result of their experiences in outreach challenge programs. Peggy Pasche, 2007 Academic Coach of the Year, concluded by speaking on the characteristics of a successful teacher, highlighting the dedication and determination required to positively impact the lives of students.

After hearing from past honorees, attendees viewed a PowerPoint presentation encompassing the celebrations and honorees from the past ten years. Before concluding the celebration, the WEM Foundation benefactors were presented with an award thanking them for their support of teachers and education through the WEM Outstanding Educator Awards program. Nearly 100 people conveyed their heart-felt appreciation in a flurry of applause followed by a standing ovation.

Click to view the 10th Anniversary PowerPoint presentation (PDF)

View the 10th Anniversary Program (PDF)