by rsullivan | Jul 16, 2018 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Wausau Daily Herald: D.C. Everest Senior High social studies instructor Brad Seeley doesn’t simply teach history; he encourages students to consider their place in the world and how they can make the world a better place, Assistant Principal Todd Bohm said.
“Brad doesn’t treat history as a linear timeline of events. His students study the context of history, the humanity and the ‘what ifs.’ Students examine a subject from every angle and step into the shoes of people with varying beliefs to better understand different perspectives,” Bohm said.
“He inspires students to make a positive impact despite what differences they may have.”
Three years ago, Seeley launched DCETalks — an evening in which students showcase their yearlong Genius Projects. The event, inspired by TED Talks, focuses on each student’s unique personal perspective and challenges them to see history through a different lens.
During the 2016-17 school year, Seeley initiated the DCE ONE project, designed to raise awareness about the power of diversity when people unite around a common cause and their community.
This year, Seeley’s Advanced Placement United States History and Comparative Politics students took part in his latest project — DCE Inspires.
“Every one of us has a person in our life who has had a positive impact on us — who has helped make us who we are by encouraging and challenging us,” Seeley said. “I started DCE Inspires to recognize the power of inspiration and emphasize the important role we can play in one another’s lives.”
Read more about DC Everest’s program.
by rsullivan | Mar 15, 2018 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
WSAW.com: A student in Spencer is able to get around a little easier thanks to the help of Spencer School District staff, Northcentral Technical College and his family.
Noel is a student at Spencer Elementary and was diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder that limits his mobility.
Students made a self-motorized car just for Noel that has unique switches designed to help him get around easier.
“It gives Noel the opportunity to move independently and explore. It really helps prepare him for more advanced mobility such as a power wheelchair later on,” said Kristin Jacobson, Assistant Director of Special Education.
Read more about the Spencer School District’s mobility project.
by rsullivan | Nov 20, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
WSAW.com: In the halls of Wausau East High School a group of students is gaining independence and job skills while running a business.
“They’re starting to believe in themselves. They’re starting to think ‘Oh, I can do this,” explained teacher Anissa Walter.
She’s the organizer for Jack’s Joe. The mobile coffee business, run by students with special needs, is a play on the name of the school mascot– the Lumberjacks.
Students, like Elizabeth and Sarah are learning how to be a team, manage inventory and handle money. Skills that will prepare them for the real world.
The business was created through a grant from Reach for the Stars. Since last spring, the rolling coffee shop is a favorite of staff and students.
The coffee is donated by Tom Belongia, owner at Biggby Coffee.
He said he was happy to be apart of the project.
“The teachers had seen a video online of a similar program and they were actually at Biggby Coffee and brainstorming and they asked, ‘Is this something you could actually help us out with?’ I though it was such a beautiful wonderful idea and it fit,” Belongia recalled.
Read the complete article.
by rsullivan | Aug 21, 2017 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
WSAU.com: In Marshfield, fueling up your vehicle can now help support local schools.
That’s according to Marshfield School Board member Mark Konrardy, who says the owner of the Baltus Oil Company will make a small donatation to the school district for every gallon of gas purchased from a specially marked Marshfield Tigers Pride Pump.
“John Baltus, with Baltus gas stations, made a proposal,” Konrardy said. “He would like to put in a ‘Pride Pump’ and we thought it was a very good idea, and very good for the school district.”
“He’ll pick one of his gas stations, pick one of the pumps, and he’ll put the Marshfield School District logo on it,” Konrardy explained. “And a certain amount of those proceeds will then go to the school district.”
Read more.
by rsullivan | Sep 27, 2016 | Stand Up for Public Education Blog
Wausau Daily Herald: Senior Brennen Pozorski learned how to fine tune the new cobalt-blue, manual mills in the Wausau East High School metals lab and was setting them up and leveling their tables a week after classes started this fall.
The 17-year-old likes working with his hands and is thinking about attending Northcentral Technical College, where he already has some credits earned through his high school classes. Pozorski will likely earn more of those credits before graduating and in the process learn how to use the lab’s new computer numerical-controlled — or CNC — mills, which can be programmed to cut things out and drill.
Wausau East and Wausau West high schools have a lot of new equipment and upgraded spaces for technology education. Welding booths, a laser engraver, plasma tables, a maker space, 3-D printers, revived wood and metals labs and a brand-new 9,000-square-foot auto lab all have been added to the schools’ tech-ed department in recent months.
It’s a good time for Wausau high schoolers to get into auto repair, manufacturing, design and other tech-centric electives. And local businesses hope students will be turned on to their industries after exploring them in school.
School district leaders, notably Career and Technical Education Coordinator Jon Winter, worked with businesses in the community to tailor the improvements at the high schools to what manufacturers and other local companies need. Some of those companies chipped in for equipment to help train students in technical-education courses.
“We see that they have a need. We’re trying to fill those pipelines,” Winter said of employers. “We built these facilities for our community.”
Read more.
