https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/Campus ConnectionPosts tagged with 'School of Education':2024-01-24T12:43:00.783Zhttps://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/uwl-western-transfer-pathways/Paving the way2024-01-24T12:43:00.783Z2024-01-24T12:41:00ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">12:41 p.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Wednesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Jan.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>24</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2024</span></p>
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<figcaption>Interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan discusses how new transfer agreements between UW-La Crosse and Western Technical College will benefit students.</figcaption>
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<h3 class="tagline">UWL, Western create new pathways for students to launch careers</h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">New agreements between UW-La Crosse and Western Technical College have created pathways for students to continue their education and launch successful careers.</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">On Tuesday, Jan. 23, leaders from the two colleges finalized agreements that will allow students to transfer major credits from Western to UWL in five fields: early childhood education, sociology, philosophy, history, and race, gender and sexuality studies.</span><span id="_mce_caret" data-mce-bogus="1" data-mce-type="format-caret"><span data-ccp-props="{"></span></span><span data-contrast="auto"></span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<figcaption>Interim Provost Karl Kunkel and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Sandy Grunwald add their names to the agreements.</figcaption>
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<p><span data-contrast="auto">“This is a win-win, and that’s why you see so many happy faces here today,” said Betsy Morgan, interim chancellor of UWL. “It benefits the students, it benefits (Western) and it benefits UWL because it creates more students with degrees. And that’s what we’re about.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">These agreements build upon an already strong partnership between UWL and Western. While past transfer agreements have centered on general education courses, Tuesday’s signing permits students to transfer credits within their major, shortening their path to earning a degree.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">While most transfer students move from a two-year college to a four-year university, credits earned at UWL can also be transferred to Western.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Roger Stanford, president of Western, says a smoother experience for students will help boost workforce development efforts and lead to a stronger local economy.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“In the end, for all of our taxpayers and all of our community, the quicker we can get (students) out in the workforce, the less debt they will have to borrow,” he says. “That’s economic mobility, and that helps our students move better in this community.”</span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/2024-uwl-wtc-agreement-9-cr2.jpg/Medium" alt="Interim Chancellor Betsy Morgan discusses how new transfer agreements between UW-La Crosse and Western Technical College will benefit students." />
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<span class="title">Paving the way</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">12:41 p.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Wednesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Jan.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>24</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2024</span></span>
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UWL, Western create new pathways for students to launch careers
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</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/eagle-edge-wn-24/Eagle Edge2024-01-16T09:40:28.57Z2024-01-16T09:40:28.57ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
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<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">9:40 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Tuesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Jan.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>16</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2024</span></span>
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Read the winter issue of the School of Education online magazine
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</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/advising-abroad/Advising abroad2024-01-08T09:34:16.597Z2024-01-02T11:00:00ZChloe Harthttps://uwlax.edu/profile/chart/chart@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">11 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Tuesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Jan.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>2</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2024</span></p>
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<figcaption>Ally Hetto, ’21, center, recently returned to the U.S. after teaching in South Africa.</figcaption>
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<h3 class="tagline">UWL alum shares Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in South Africa</h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">Ally Hetto, ’21, recently returned to the U.S. after spending an extended time in South Africa, courtesy of a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Graduating with</span><span data-contrast="none"> degrees in Spanish and Education, accompanied by a minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (<a data-mce-href="/academics/department/educational-studies/undergrad/tesol/" href="/academics/department/educational-studies/undergrad/tesol/">TESOL)</a>, Hetto credits her positive experiences abroad to the invaluable lessons she learned in the TESOL Program, which prepared her to teach in multicultural classrooms.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Through the Fulbright program, Hetto served as an advisor for the <a data-mce-href="https://collegeofcapetownjournalists.com/" href="https://collegeofcapetownjournalists.com/" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">College of Cape Town Journalists</a>. The College of Cape Town is a technical and vocational education and training school, located in the heart of the central business district in Cape Town, South Africa.</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Reflecting on her time abroad, Hetto shares, “One of my favorite experiences in South Africa was creating a program for my adult students to learn about journalism, technology, sustainable tourism, as well as marine and wildlife conservation.”</span></p>
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<figcaption>Hetto served as an advisor for the College of Cape Town Journalists.</figcaption>
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<p><span data-contrast="none">The program was created to target gaps in student knowledge regarding technology proficiency, professional English speaking and writing, and public speaking confidence.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“It was incredibly rewarding watching students grow in multiple disciplines including English language skills, digital literacy and confidence levels,” Hetto says.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">In addition to academic growth, the College of Cape Town Journalists sought to provide exposure to wildlife conservation and sustainable tourism experiences that are out of reach for many South Africans. A highlight was the advisor and student trip to the Dyer Island Conservation Trust in Gansbaai, South Africa, where students were able to interview marine biologists and conservationists.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“It was exciting to share numerous first-time experiences with my students, including encountering a great white shark during cage diving, feeding the endangered African penguin and embarking on a safari,” Hetto says.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">A significant takeaway for Hetto was learning how to bridge cultural differences between students in the U.S. and South Africa.</span></p>
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<figcaption>Hetto recommends the Fulbright program to anyone interested in teaching abroad.</figcaption>
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<p><span data-contrast="none">“Before beginning my contract in South Africa, I was a long-term substitute teacher for a second-grade classroom in Kimberly, Wisconsin,” Hetto explains. “As an extension of the College of Cape Town Journalists, I created a Pen Pal Program with that second-grade classroom to promote cultural exchange through global connectivity.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hetto shared that both the second-graders in Wisconsin and the adult learners in Cape Town showed an equal level of curiosity and engagement in the exchange of cultural knowledge.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“I am so grateful to have created lasting mentorships and friendships with students in the Journalism Program and my English classes,” Hetto says.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hetto is no stranger to traveling abroad. Before embarking on her assistantship in South Africa, she spent six months in Mexico, Guatemala and Colombia to build on her appreciation for the Spanish language and Latin American cultures. That experience, coupled with her UWL education, prepared her for the challenges of teaching abroad.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none"><a data-mce-href="https://us.fulbrightonline.org/" href="https://us.fulbrightonline.org/">The Fulbright Program</a> is an international exchange program designed to expand perspectives through academic and professional advancement and cross-cultural dialogue. Its programming includes grants, assistantships, fellowships and other research opportunities in 140 countries.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hetto was inspired to apply for an assistantship by <a data-mce-href="/profile/hlinville/" href="/profile/hlinville/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UWL Professor Heather Linville</a> and former UWL Lecturer Melissa Collum, both Fulbright alumni. Hetto recommends the Fulbright program to anyone interested in teaching abroad.</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">To see Hetto’s student’s work, visit </span><span><a href="http://www.collegeofcapetownjournalists.com" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary"> www.collegeofcapetownjournalists.com</a></span><span>.</span></p>
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<span class="title">Advising abroad</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">11 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Tuesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Jan.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>2</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2024</span></span>
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UWL alum shares Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in South Africa
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</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/a-better-way-to-live-and-learn/A better way to live and learn2024-01-08T09:15:27.607Z2024-01-02T00:00:00ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">midnight</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Tuesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Jan.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>2</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2024</span></p>
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<figcaption>Students in the Education LLC got together in mid-December to enjoy treats and refreshments while getting in some last-minute studying.</figcaption>
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<h3 class="tagline">Living Learning Community brings SOE students closer together </h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">A new program allows UW-La Crosse education students to live and learn together as they embark on their college careers.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto"><a data-mce-href="/reslife/apply-for-housing/living-learning-communities/" href="/reslife/apply-for-housing/living-learning-communities/">UWL’s Education Living Learning Community (LLC)</a> launched in Sanford Hall during the 2023 fall semester, with the goal of providing first-year students in the School of Education (SOE) an opportunity to grow together.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">The Education LLC seeks to support students by fostering a sense of belonging and care, creating connections to the broader La Crosse community, and providing networking opportunities — all through academic and cocurricular programming designed to harness students’ potential as future educators.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“We’re very intent on creating a sense of belonging among every member of the School of Education, and the LLC is an extension of that,” says <a data-mce-href="/profile/msylvester/" href="/profile/msylvester/">Michelle Sylvester</a>, equity advisor and recruiter for the SOE. “We have students enrolled in all different programs across campus, and the LLC helps us get everyone together under one roof and break down those barriers. It’s about creating that sense of community.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">The Education LLC enrolled about 10 students in its first semester, and leaders are hopeful that number will grow.</span></p>
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<figcaption>Owen Lapp, resident assistant for the Education LLC</figcaption>
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<p><span data-contrast="auto">Led by Resident Assistant Owen Lapp, the group held several meetings and group activities throughout the fall — including an ice cream social at the start of the year and opportunities for students to connect with faculty and learn more about various classes and departments.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">As the needs of students evolve, Lapp says, so will the Education LLC.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“We like to get input from the students themselves to see what kinds of experiences they would like to get out of being in the LLC,” says Lapp, a senior majoring in elementary and middle education. “Our goal is to ease the transition of new students into the major and provide them with experiences that will help them both now in college, and later after graduation.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">The program is already a hit among the first cohort.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Alli Rickaby, an elementary/middle special education major from Nekoosa, says she enrolled in the Education LLC to connect with students who share her interests.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“I have enjoyed getting to know other education majors through fun team building exercises,” Rickaby says. “Through these activities, I have gained ideas to bring into my future classroom to offer my students to form connections between their peers and myself.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“I enrolled in the Education LLC because it was a chance to get to know other education majors and to make friends in the first weeks of school,” says Bailey Hauck, an early childhood education major from Cameron. “The LLC held a small event where we did some team-building activities, and it was really fun. There were some difficult ones that had us all laughing. Overall, it’s always been a fun time!”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">The Education LLC is just the latest such program at UWL, which also offers LLCs for women in STEM programs, students who identify as LGBTQ, first-generation college students and more.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Nationwide, LLCs have been embraced as a way to provide students with a supportive peer group, along with great access to faculty and staff who aid students in their education and career journeys.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">And there is mounting evidence that LLCs are effective. Students who participate in LLCs report higher GPAs than students who live in traditional residence hall communities.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“This is something that personally appealed to me because it gives me an opportunity to spend time with students outside the classroom and get to know them on a different level,” says <a data-mce-href="/profile/vkrage/" href="/profile/vkrage/" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Valerie Krage</a>, associate teaching professor of educational studies. “Some of these students I won’t end up having in class, so this gives us a chance to connect that we wouldn’t have otherwise.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/uwl-2023-living-learning-communities-42.jpg/Medium" alt="Students in the Education LLC got together in mid-December to enjoy treats and refreshments while getting in some last-minute studying." />
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<span class="title">A better way to live and learn</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">midnight</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Tuesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Jan.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>2</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2024</span></span>
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Living Learning Community brings SOE students closer together
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</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/top-10-stories-of-2023/Top 10 stories of 20232024-01-09T14:12:50.767Z2023-12-14T11:17:00ZKjerstin Langhttps://uwlax.edu/profile/klang/klang@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">11:17 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Thursday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Dec.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>14</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></p>
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<figcaption>Aerial image of the UW-La Crosse campus</figcaption>
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<h3 class="tagline">New buildings, new programs and remarkable people</h3>
<p>As the new year begins, we reflect on some of the most popular stories from 2023 and the faculty, staff and students who continue to create, connect and make meaningful changes for the wider community.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>1. Forbes ranks UWL a top public college</h3>
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<figcaption>Students walking on campus</figcaption>
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<p>We felt pride when UWL was ranked as the <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/forbes-ranks-uwl-at-the-top/" href="/news/posts/forbes-ranks-uwl-at-the-top/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">No. 2 public college in Wisconsin</a> on Forbes’ 2023 America's Top Colleges list. The annual list showcases 500 of the finest U.S. colleges that have demonstrated impressive graduation rates, high graduate salaries and great outcomes for low-income students.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
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<h3>2. New Fieldhouse opens doors</h3>
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<figcaption>UWL's new Fieldhouse</figcaption>
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<p>We stepped inside the <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/photos-inside-uwls-fieldhouse/" href="/news/posts/photos-inside-uwls-fieldhouse/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">completed Fieldhouse</a> for the first time in January, with its NCAA-standard track, modern locker rooms and meeting rooms outfitted with the latest technology. The facility is a game-changer for campus, allowing the university to keep pace with the continued growth in Athletics, recreational programs and the Exercise &amp; Sport Science Department.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>3. New programs meet workforce demand</h3>
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<figcaption>The Department of Computer Science has collaborated with UW-Parkside and UW-Extension to launch two new graduate certificate programs in financial technology. The effort aims to meet the growing demand for technical expertise in the financial services industry.</figcaption>
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<p>We continued to meet workforce demands when the Computer Science &amp; Computer Engineering Department collaborated with partners to <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/new-offerings-in-fintech/" href="/news/posts/new-offerings-in-fintech/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">launch two new graduate certificate programs</a> in financial technology.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>4. Student shares ingenuity with app development</h3>
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<figcaption>Logan Larson, a graduate student in UWL's Software Engineering program, has developed a new podcasting app, "Castify."</figcaption>
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<p>We marveled at the ingenuity and ambition of a UWL software engineering graduate student. His business idea aims to create one of the best podcasting platforms on the market. He calls it “Castify,” and it <a data-mce-href="/modules/app/blogadmin/edit/%20https:/www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/castify/%20" href="/modules/app/blogadmin/edit/%20https:/www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/castify/%20" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">earned third place in the WiSys “App Start” competition</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>5. Distinguished designers develop logo idea</h3>
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<figcaption>Jordyn York (right) and Riley Radle finished first and second, respectively, in a logo design contest for the College of Business Administration. The contest was part of an advanced digital art and graphic design course taught by Marc Manke.</figcaption>
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<p>Two UWL students impressed us with their digital art and graphic design skills when they captured the UWL <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/distinguished-designers/" href="/news/posts/distinguished-designers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">College of Business Administration’s identity using their creativity</a>. The logo design contest was an academic exercise led by Assistant Professor of art Marc Manke.</p>
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<h3>6. New SOE associate dean is transforming lives</h3>
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<figcaption>Pao Lor started as associate dean of the UW-La Crosse School of Education in July. Lor brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the role, having been a Hmong refugee in the late 1970s, and having worked extensively in both K-12 and higher education in Wisconsin..</figcaption>
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<p>We were inspired by <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/transforming-lives-through-education/" href="/news/posts/transforming-lives-through-education/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">the story of UWL’s new associate dean Pao Lor,</a> a Hmong refugee in the late 1970s who fled his native Laos for the U.S. when he was 7 years old. A supportive network of mentors and educators were pivotal to his success navigating isolation and cultural barriers. Now, four decades later, he is working in UWL's School of Education (SOE) with hopes to make his own transformational impact on future educators.&nbsp;<br></p>
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<h3>7. Selling smoothies with a 'Spark'</h3>
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<figcaption>Alex Ewig (right) and Jimmy Czupryna launched Spark Smoothies with active students in mind. “We wanted something where busy and active students could come and get a smoothie to fuel them up for whatever they’re doing throughout the day,” Ewig explains.</figcaption>
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<p>When Alex Ewig and Jimmy Czupryna arrived at UW-La Crosse in 2022, they noticed an opportunity to expand campus dining options.&nbsp;Ewig and Czupryna went on to co-found Spark Smoothies, which now serves a variety of smoothies, with protein and caffeine options, as well as sandwiches.&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>8. Bug Hartsock educates about bugs</h3>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/2022-uwl-bug-hartsock-biology0051.jpg/Large" alt="" />
<figcaption>Bug Hartsock with their artwork "Neon Centipedes," created on an iPad.</figcaption>
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<p>Students continued to share their knowledge far and wide. A biology graduate student <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/the-truth-about-house-centipedes/" href="/news/posts/the-truth-about-house-centipedes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">educated us about why we shouldn’t kill house centipedes</a>, explaining how these “miniature cowboys” use their long legs to lasso prey you don’t want in the home such as bed bugs, termites and cockroaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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<h3>9. Campus storyteller writes final chapter</h3>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/brad-feature-image-min2.jpg/Large" alt="" />
<figcaption>Brad Quarber retired after 38 years on campus.</figcaption>
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<p>UWL’s longtime director of News &amp; Marketing, <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/campus-storyteller-writes-final-chapter/" href="/news/posts/campus-storyteller-writes-final-chapter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">Brad Quarberg, said goodbye</a>. During his time on campus, he produced dozens of issues of campus and alumni news publications. His work informed the campus, promoted UWL to the wider community and created a strong connection back to the university for those who have moved away.</p>
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<h3>10. Alum comes back to teach accountancy</h3>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/nick-dobbs.jpg/Large" alt="" />
<figcaption>Nick Dobbs, '17, overcame a life-altering motorcycle accident to earn his degree. Now, he is sharing his knowledge and life perspective as an instructor in UWL's Accountancy Department.</figcaption>
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<p>Alumni came back to make UWL better. When Nick Dobbs earned his bachelor’s degree in accountancy in 2017, it could have been the final chapter of a remarkable story. He was paralyzed in a motorcycle accident in 2011 and had overcome tremendous challenges to graduate. &nbsp;As it turned out, his story was only beginning as <a data-mce-href="/news/posts/giving-back-through-teaching/" href="/news/posts/giving-back-through-teaching/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary">he is now an adjunct instructor in UWL’s Accountancy Department</a>.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/uwl-campus_0378-20231002.jpg/Medium" alt="Aerial image of the UW-La Crosse campus" />
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<span class="section details">
<span class="title">Top 10 stories of 2023</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">11:17 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Thursday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Dec.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>14</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></span>
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New buildings, new programs and remarkable people
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<span class="read">Read<span class="sr-only"> more about Top 10 stories of 2023</span></span>
</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/impactful-field-experiences/Impactful field experiences2024-01-08T15:45:00.077Z2023-12-13T08:00:00ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">8 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Wednesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Dec.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>13</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></p>
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<figcaption>UWL senior Martha Moran helps a student at Meadowview Middle School in Sparta. Meadowview, a longtime supporter of UWL student teachers, agreed to become the university's new professional development site after the recent closure of Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse.</figcaption>
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<h3 class="tagline">Sparta middle school making a difference as new professional development site</h3>
<p><span data-contrast="auto">In her journey to become a teacher, Martha Moran has gained more from standing at the front of the classroom than she has sitting in the middle of it.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“Teaching in the classroom is where I have learned most about education,” says Moran, a UW-La Crosse senior with a double major in elementary/middle school education and special education. During the fall 2023 semester, Moran has been teaching at UWL’s new professional development site at Meadowview Middle School in Sparta — an experience she describes as highly impactful.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“I have acquired the skills to plan and execute lesson plans, monitor comprehension and assessment of curriculum, and manage classroom behavior,” she says. “More than that, though, I have established ways to invest in the student’s success, and the learner as a whole. I have also attained skills to be flexible and adaptable as a teacher. I have learned the importance of a strong community and holding students to a high standard.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Meadowview, a longtime supporter of UWL student teachers, agreed to host students for their second field experience after one of the university’s previous professional development sites, Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse, was closed. UWL also has profesional development agreements with Logan and Longfellow middle schools in La Crosse.</span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/meadowview-secondary.jpeg/Large" alt="" />
<figcaption>Meadowview teacher Nathan Pollnow says he has been impressed by Moran and other UWL teacher candidates through the years. “The teacher candidates have done a wonderful job of jumping into the classroom and helping out,” says Pollnow, a 2014 UWL alum.</figcaption>
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<p><span data-contrast="auto">Highlights from Moran’s time at Meadowview include a field trip to the Genoa National Fish Hatchery, where she “witnessed students take their thinking beyond the classroom through experiential learning and getting involved in the community.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">She was able to hit the ground running, she says, in large part thanks to her previous field experiences at Eagle Bluff Elementary School in Onalaska and Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Moran’s cooperating teacher at Meadowview, Nathan Pollnow, has been another valuable resource, guiding her along while also giving her room to grow on her own.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“Mr. Pollnow is very involved in the Sparta community and esteemed by his colleagues,” Moran says. “He has great relationships with his students because he cares deeply for the success of all learners. His willingness to teach me, as his field student, is no exception. Mr. Pollnow is welcoming and inclusive to all that enter his classroom. He trusts me as a student teacher and allows me a leadership role in the classroom.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">Pollnow, a 2014 UWL School of Education graduate, says he’s been deeply impressed by Moran and the other UWL teaching candidates placed at Meadowview.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“The teacher candidates have done a wonderful job of jumping into the classroom and helping out,” he says. “I have seen some of the lessons they have created and have heard about great things happening in other classrooms as well. The positive energy and excitement that they bring with them each day is contagious and really helps the school environment. They have also done things beyond their requirements, such as putting in extra hours by helping on field trips and joining us for parent-teacher conferences.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">After graduating, Moran hopes to teach sixth grade in the La Crosse area — a place she has “fallen in love with.” Moran will spend spring 2024, her final semester at UWL, student teaching at Meadowview. She'll be in Pollnow's room once again, and will also assist in special education for the fifth grade.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">For Pollnow, who completed two placements at Meadowview when he was in college, working with the teacher candidates has brought his career and education full circle.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="auto">“I have had the opportunity to work with many teacher candidates, both field experience and student teachers over the years, and it has largely been a positive experience,” he says. “The partnership with UWL enables us to bring even more teacher candidates into our school. They bring a lot of energy and different ideas to the classroom, and the students greatly benefit from having another adult to help them out. The students always form a strong bond with the teacher candidates, and you can tell that the students look up to and respect them.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/meadowview-feature.jpg/Medium" alt="UWL senior Martha Moran helps a student at Meadowview Middle School in Sparta. Meadowview, a longtime supporter of UWL student teachers, agreed to become the university's new professional development site after the recent closure of Lincoln Middle School in La Crosse." />
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<span class="section details">
<span class="title">Impactful field experiences</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">8 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Wednesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Dec.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>13</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></span>
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Sparta middle school making a difference as new professional development site
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<span class="read">Read<span class="sr-only"> more about Impactful field experiences</span></span>
</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/at-the-heart-of-her-school/At the heart of her school2023-11-01T08:07:24.737Z2023-10-30T08:00:00ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">8 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Monday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Oct.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>30</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></p>
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<figcaption>Bridget Hamlet, '01, earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education and English from UWL, before spending the majority of her career as a teacher and school librarian in England.</figcaption>
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<h3>Bridget Hamlet, ’01, named top school librarian in the United Kingdom</h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">If a great library is the heart of a school, then what does that make a great librarian?</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">In the case of&nbsp;<span class="mark4r97b2tmu" data-markjs="true" data-ogac="" data-ogab="" data-ogsc="" data-ogsb="">Bridget</span> Hamlet, ’01, it makes her the United Kingdom's Secondary School Librarian of the Year.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hamlet was selected from&nbsp;a short list&nbsp;of England’s top school librarians — an honor administered by the School Library Association and that Hamlet called&nbsp;“undoubtedly my career highlight.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“To be recognized by immediate colleagues in my school, as well as so many other librarians throughout the country, fills me with pride,” says Hamlet, librarian and learning resources development manager at Rushey Mead Academy in Leicester, England. “My name being announced at the award event was surreal, and I could not&nbsp;contain&nbsp;my excitement.&nbsp;I think everyone who knows me is very aware that I absolutely love my job, and I show it!”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hamlet’s school serves about 1,800 students, ages 11 to 16, from an area of deprivation in the center of Leicester.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">She runs a complex rotation of library lessons through English departmental time, which allows her to see every student in the school at least once every seven weeks.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hamlet promotes reading for pleasure while working to ensure&nbsp;equitable&nbsp;access to books.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">In addition to the library lessons, students can visit the library independently before school, after school and during breaks in their day. The library is so popular, Hamlet says, that&nbsp;it’s&nbsp;not unusual to have a line of students at the door, waiting for space to&nbsp;open up.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“I enjoy expressing my enthusiasm for reading and matching books to readers,” Hamlet says.&nbsp;&nbsp;“It’s&nbsp;very rewarding&nbsp;when a student or colleague tells me they loved the book I recommended, and it helps me build meaningful relationships with everyone in my school. I also enjoy planning reading challenges and events, especially when I get to meet my favorite authors!”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hamlet has used various activities and challenges to&nbsp;establish&nbsp;a strong reading culture among students and staff, and&nbsp;frequently&nbsp;supports teachers with their knowledge of books and literature.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">She has also&nbsp;assisted&nbsp;in setting up libraries at other schools in the Mead Educational Trust.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">"It means a lot that&nbsp;<span class="mark4r97b2tmu" data-markjs="true" data-ogac="" data-ogab="" data-ogsc="" data-ogsb="">Bridget</span>’s phenomenal expertise has been recognized beyond our school,” says Vicky Barwell, principal of Rushey Mead Academy. “She is thoroughly deserving of this prestigious accolade. We are all incredibly proud of her and grateful for the&nbsp;hard work&nbsp;and love she has committed to cementing our school library as the heart and soul of the school.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hamlet, originally from&nbsp;Monticello, Minnesota, moved to England in 2002 after attending a friend’s wedding&nbsp;there, where she also happened to meet her&nbsp;future&nbsp;husband.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Since then, she has worked as an English teacher, school librarian and advisory school librarian.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Hamlet followed in her brother’s footsteps by attending UWL, where she majored in <a data-mce-href="/soe/" href="/soe/">secondary education</a> and <a data-mce-href="/academics/english/" href="/academics/english/">English</a>, with an educational media license minor.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">UWL, she says,&nbsp;was&nbsp;an important step&nbsp;in her journey personally and professionally.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“My professors gave me the educational knowledge and foundation skills I needed to be a successful teacher and school librarian; they were teachers and role models,” Hamlet says. “And I would never have moved to England if it&nbsp;weren’t&nbsp;for the&nbsp;friendships&nbsp;I made at UWL.&nbsp;It is directly because of my friends and roommates that I met my husband and now have two gorgeous teenage boys, and a dream job that I look forward to every day.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/bridget-hamlet-feat.jpg/Medium" alt="Bridget Hamlet, '01, earned a bachelor's degree in secondary education and English from UWL, before spending the majority of her career as a teacher and school librarian in England." />
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<span class="section details">
<span class="title">At the heart of her school</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">8 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Monday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Oct.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>30</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></span>
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Bridget Hamlet, ’01, named top school librarian in the United Kingdom
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<span class="read">Read<span class="sr-only"> more about At the heart of her school</span></span>
</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/transforming-lives-through-education/Transforming lives through education2024-01-23T08:21:46.94Z2023-09-20T14:55:00ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">2:55 p.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Wednesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Sept.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>20</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></p>
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<figcaption>Pao Lor started as associate dean of the UW-La Crosse School of Education in July. Lor brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the role, having been a Hmong refugee in the late 1970s, and having worked extensively in both K-12 and higher education in Wisconsin..</figcaption>
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<h3 class="tagline">Pao Lor brings experience, fresh perspective as SOE associate dean</h3>
<p><span data-contrast="none">Pao Lor has seen it all — inside the classroom, and outside.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">A Hmong refugee in the late 1970s, Lor fled his native Laos for the United States when he was 7 years old.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">His new life in Green Bay was fraught with isolation and cultural barriers, but at school, a supportive network of mentors and educators helped show him the way.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Now, four decades later, </span><a href="https://www.uwlax.edu/profile/plor/" data-mce-href="/profile/plor/"><span data-contrast="none">Lor is the associate dean</span></a><span data-contrast="none"> of the UW-La Crosse </span><a href="https://www.uwlax.edu/soe/" data-mce-href="/soe/"><span data-contrast="none">School of Education (SOE)</span></a><span data-contrast="none">, where he hopes to make his own transformational impact on future educators.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“I had so many outstanding teachers who guided me, empowered me, took my hand and showed me opportunities I could explore,” Lor says. “Having spent my career in the education field, the position here at UWL gives me the opportunity to share my experience and my knowledge about the profession, and find ways to see how my experience can help elevate the programs here, training future educators to have the skills and confidence to do well.”</span><span id="_mce_caret" data-mce-bogus="1" data-mce-type="format-caret"><span data-ccp-props="{"></span></span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/2023-uwl-associate-dean-pao-lor-20-copy.jpg/Large" alt="" />
<figcaption>Lor says he was quickly impressed by everything the School of Education has to offer. "We should be really proud of the faculty and staff and the programs we’ve put into place,” he says. </figcaption>
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<p><span data-contrast="none">Lor, who began his role in July, was previously a professor of education at UW-Green Bay, where he chaired th</span><span data-contrast="auto">e </span><span data-contrast="auto">Professional Program in Education</span><span data-contrast="auto">.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Lor also spent time as a teacher and administrator in the Green Bay and Neenah school districts, and as an academic advisor at UW-Oshkosh.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Although he is still settling in at UWL, Lor says he is impressed by the people and programs that allow the SOE to produce top-quality teachers.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“The infrastructure here is incredible,” he says. “In this profession, we need to know what’s going on in the school districts, what their needs are and what teachers need to know to teach effectively. <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158289969 BCX0">UWL has the </span><span class="FindHit SCXW158289969 BCX0">inf</span><span class="FindHit SCXW158289969 BCX0">r</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158289969 BCX0">astructure to continually make those improvements, and we should be </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW158289969 BCX0">really proud</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158289969 BCX0"> of the faculty and staff and the programs </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158289969 BCX0">we’ve</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW158289969 BCX0"> put into place.”</span></span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Lor says he’s excited to work with staff and faculty to continue shaping SOE programming in a way that supports both students and school districts.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">He also sees opportunities to engage prospective teachers from diverse backgrounds — which is crucial to developing a teacher workforce that is supportive and representative of all students.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“It’s challenging for some because it’s not a profession they’re necessarily familiar with,” says Lor, noting that many students of color may have never had a teacher in their family, or a teacher who looked like them. “Teaching is a unique profession that requires certain skills and qualities, and that’s something we’re trying to share with underrepresented populations. It can be a slow process, but it’s important to have that representation.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Lor brings an insightful perspective to his role, in large part due to his turbulent childhood and cultural identity.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“Having experienced the various stages of life, where first your focus is just on survival, and then you’re given the opportunity to have an education, you appreciate the chance to establish and create a life,” says Lor, who recounts his story in an autobiography, </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Jungles-Refugees-Childhood-Survival/dp/0870209590" data-mce-href="https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Jungles-Refugees-Childhood-Survival/dp/0870209590"><span data-contrast="none">“Modern Jungles.”</span></a><span data-contrast="none"> “The experiences I’ve had have given me empathy for other people and what it means to live in a community. And I’ve learned that education is the one opportunity we really have to change our lives as well as the world.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Having spent considerable time working in both K-12 and higher education, he is also well equipped to understand and respond to the needs of both student groups.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“In my experience, each has its own challenges,” Lor says. “But when it comes to human relationships and connecting with your students, it never changes. It’s about finding out who they are and where they want to go, and then helping them get there.”</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/2023-uwl-associate-dean-pao-lor-12-copy.jpg/Medium" alt="Pao Lor started as associate dean of the UW-La Crosse School of Education in July. Lor brings a wealth of personal and professional experience to the role, having been a Hmong refugee in the late 1970s, and having worked extensively in both K-12 and higher education in Wisconsin.." />
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<span class="section details">
<span class="title">Transforming lives through education</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">2:55 p.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Wednesday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>Sept.</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>20</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></span>
<span class="subhead">
<span>
Pao Lor brings experience, fresh perspective as SOE associate dean
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<span class="read">Read<span class="sr-only"> more about Transforming lives through education</span></span>
</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/eagle-edge-summer-2023/Eagle Edge2023-07-20T08:53:53.047Z2023-07-13T16:14:00ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
<div class="post-content">
<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">4:14 p.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Thursday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>July</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>13</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></p>
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<figcaption>Read more -></figcaption>
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<h3>Read the summer issue of the School of Education online magazine</h3>
<p>An urban teaching experience in Milwaukee.</p><p>A student stepping out of his comfort zone.&nbsp;</p><p>A better way to nurture young writers.</p><p>Read these stories and more in the <a data-mce-href="/soe/eagle-edge/" href="/soe/eagle-edge/">summer issue of Eagle Edge</a>, the UWL School of Education online magazine.</p>
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<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">4:14 p.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Thursday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>July</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>13</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></span>
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</span>https://www.uwlax.edu/news/posts/physical-motivator/Physical motivator2023-07-03T09:44:49.163Z2023-07-03T07:04:00ZKyle Farrishttps://uwlax.edu/profile/kfarris/kfarris@uwlax.edu
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<p class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">7:04 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Monday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>July</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>3</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></p>
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<figcaption>Kris Fritz, '70, has received the Burt and Norma Altman Teacher Education Award for her outstanding career as a physical education teacher.</figcaption>
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<h3>Kris Fritz, ’70, still promoting fitness, health</h3>
<p><em><span data-contrast="none">Editor’s note:</span></em><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;</span><em><span data-contrast="none">The UWL Alumni Association is awarding graduates from the ’60s through 2021 its top alumni awards for 2023. They’re being honored for distinguished service and successful careers.&nbsp;</span></em><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><em><span data-contrast="none">The distinguished alumni will return to campus Friday and Saturday, Sept. 22 and 23, to speak with students and take part in a panel discussion, along with being recognized during a brunch.</span></em><span data-contrast="none">&nbsp;</span><a data-mce-href="/foundation/connect/events/" href="/foundation/connect/events/"><em><span data-contrast="none">Get details from the Alumni Association calendar.</span></em></a></p><p><br></p><p><span data-contrast="none">As an undergraduate in the late ’60s and early 1970, Kris Fritz stood out as a no-nonsense, capable and driven student studying physical education, recalls Professor Emeritus A.B. Culver. Fritz got the most out of her college academic, athletic and extra-curricular activities.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“These same talents carried over throughout her career covering all levels of teaching, athletics, community contributions and leadership in professional organizations,” says Culver. Despite retiring from teaching in 2004, Fritz has remained active as a part-time physical education specialist at the Sheboygan Learning Center, as well as a never-ending health and fitness promoter.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">For more than a half century, Fritz has motivated students in fun and effective ways to stay fit and healthy. And she’s done much for the profession by mentoring and inspiring teachers and others who lead efforts to educate and advocate about the benefits of an active lifestyle. </span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">With her creativity in the classroom, Fritz has received numerous state and regional teacher-of-the-year awards. She has coached volleyball and track and field, and has traveled with teams internationally. And, she has received 14 grants that have aided students in fitness ranging from biking to fishing. </span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Fritz has also given her time and knowledge locally, statewide and nationally to mentor and promote health and fitness among colleagues. She has led state, regional and national health and physical education professional organizations. In 2022, she was inducted into the national Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE) Hall of Fame. </span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“It is truly amazing what Kris has accomplished as an individual and simply astounding when considering the impact that she has had on not only the children she has taught, but the individuals she has mentored, and all the lives she has touched throughout all her service at the state and national level,” says Deb Sazama, UWL volleyball coach and former campus exercise and sport science program director.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Doug Kane, past Wisconsin Health Physical Education president, says the words that best describe Fritz include persistent, professional, giving, hardworking, courageous, “yes” and team-player.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">“Kris’ goal throughout her teaching career and into retirement has been to promote health and physical education conceptual knowledge acquisition for students and families to be put into practice to enable them to live healthier, active lives,” Kane says. </span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><br></p><p><strong><em><span data-contrast="auto">Burt and Norma Altman Teacher Education Award</span></em></strong><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Honors and recognizes outstanding educators and the significant contributions they make to children and communities.&nbsp;Professor Emeritus Burt&nbsp;Altman&nbsp;and his wife, Norma, long-time supporters of teacher education, created the award in 2015. </span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Kristine Fritz, ’70</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><ul><li><span data-contrast="auto"> Highly respected state public education physical education teacher and mentor, state sports leader for girls.</span></li><li><span data-contrast="auto"> Long-time Sheboygan Area Schools physical education and health teacher, coach, 1970-2004.</span></li><li><span data-contrast="auto"> Wisconsin Health and Physical Education (WHPE) Secondary Physical Educator Teacher of the Year, 1993; Midwest District Secondary Physical Education Teacher of the Year, 1995; </span><span data-contrast="none">WHPE President, 2000; Midwest President, 2018</span><span data-contrast="auto">; among others. </span></li><li><span data-contrast="none"> Bachelor’s degree in physical education, 1970; master’s degree from University of North Carolina-Greensboro, 1978.</span></li></ul><p><strong><span data-contrast="auto">Nominate deserving alumni</span></strong><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Nominate deserving UWL alumni for the university’s distinguished alumni awards. Simply fill out the&nbsp;</span><a href="/foundation/connect/awards/nomination/" data-mce-href="/foundation/connect/awards/nomination/"><span data-contrast="none">nomination form</span></a><span data-contrast="none">; the Alumni Office will contact nominees.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Nominations are accepted throughout the year but must be received by Oct. 1 to be considered for the award the following year.&nbsp;</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">See all </span><a href="/foundation/connect/awards/past-recipients/" data-mce-href="/foundation/connect/awards/past-recipients/" data-mce-selected="inline-boundary"><span data-contrast="none">past recipients</span></a><span data-contrast="none">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p><p><span data-contrast="none">Here are the </span><a href="/foundation/connect/awards/" data-mce-href="/foundation/connect/awards/"><span data-contrast="none">award criteria</span></a><span data-contrast="none">.</span><span data-ccp-props="{">&nbsp;</span></p>
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<img loading="lazy" src="/contentassets/d2492d337f8a4841b98d59100cb0f8ab/fritz-feature-photo.jpg/Medium" alt="Kris Fritz, '70, has received the Burt and Norma Altman Teacher Education Award for her outstanding career as a physical education teacher." />
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<span class="section details">
<span class="title">Physical motivator</span>
<span class="date"><span class="label">Posted </span><span data-part="time">7:04 a.m.</span><span data-part="weekday"><span> </span>Monday</span><span data-part="month"><span>, </span>July</span><span data-part="day"><span> </span>3</span><span data-part="year"><span>, </span>2023</span></span>
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Kris Fritz, ’70, still promoting fitness, health
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