February 20, 2006	Volume 5, Number 5

Burmaster presents Service-Learning, Banner School awards

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster recognized individuals, organizations, and schools that have shown exemplary leadership in the field of service-learning during the combined Dialogues with Democracy Conference and State Superintendent’s PK-16 Institute on Service-Learning and Citizenship on February 2 in Middleton.

Service-learning is an educational strategy that helps students apply classroom learning to real-life experiences. Within the context of classroom-based learning, students identify a community need that relates to standards addressed in the curriculum; plan and carry out activities or events to address that need; and reflect on and evaluate the service experience and its connections to the curriculum.

“Service-learning gives students authentic, hands-on experiences that will help them become outstanding citizens, contributing to their community, the nation, and the world,” Burmaster said. “Through service-learning, our students experience civic engagement and learn what it means to be productive, contributing citizens of a democracy.”

Recipients of the 2005 State Superintendent’s Service-Learning Awards were:

• Tom Kopitzke, industrial technology teacher at De Pere Middle School, and his Homeroom Advisory Program students for building toys for the Toys for Tots program;
• The Weyauwega-Fremont High School Service Club and adviser Caroline Adams for planning and organizing successful projects, including two pet walks that raised $169,000 to support construction of a new Adoption Center;
• Thomas Evert, superintendent of the Janesville School District, has used the recommendations of his district study group and follow-up discussions among curriculum committees and departments to integrate the Janesville “Civics Engagement” program into each high school’s social studies curriculum;
• LaCrossroads High School, in the La Crosse School District, for its Veterans History Project, now a project of the United States Library of Congress;
• Jack Jarmes of Muskego, state coordinator of Project Citizen, for his work to interface Project Citizen with service-learning programs;
• Shirley Andres, for her work as a school-to-work and service-learning coordinator for the Green Bay Area School District; and
• Jessica Doyle of Madison, for her 30 plus years of commitment to education and advocacy for service-learning and civic education as a member of the Peace Corps, retired learning coordinator at Cherokee Middle School, and now as Wisconsin’s First Lady and star of the online game, “Where in Wisconsin is Jessica Doyle?” which inspires students to learn about our state’s history, culture, and geography.

Burmaster also recognized four Service-Learning Banner Schools for their outstanding commitment to and proficiency with service-learning and citizenship education. Schools, and those accepting awards on their behalf, were:

• Roosevelt Elementary School, Kenosha Unified School District: Jane Snediker, Jeannine Nelson, Kelly Albrecht, and Dawn Kreuser;
• Oak Creek-Franklin School District: Community Education Director Carin Keland;
• Tiffany Creek Elementary School, Boyceville Community School District: Principal Del Bole, Maribeth Ballard, Angie Hellmann, Carol Parsons, Keri Peterson, and Jody Wolski; and
• Superior Middle School, Superior School District: Mark Brugman, Brian Holley, and Scott Raaflaub.

In congratulating recipients of Service-Learning and Banner School awards, Burmaster said “It is through service-learning that we teach our children about civic engagement. The future of our American democracy depends upon an educated citizenry possessing the knowledge and skills to be full participants in their communities, our nation, and the world.”

A photo gallery of the awards presentations for 2005 State Superintendent’s Service-Learning Awards and recognition of Service-Learning Banner Schools is available.

Last updated on 2/20/2006