UW-Madison School of Education Alumni News

Wed
Dec
28

Alum Norrish among eight new National Board Certified teachers in Wisconsin

Eight teachers from Wisconsin public schools recently became National Board Certified, including UW-Madison alumna Lindsay Norrish. She received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from the School of Education in 2009 and today works for the Madison Metropolitan School District. National board certification is considered the gold standard in teacher certification.

Tue
Dec
27

UW-Madison alum Rosenblith named to associate dean post at Clemson

UW-Madison alumna Suzanne Rosenblith was recently named associate dean for Clemson University's College of Education undergraduate programs. Rosenblith earned her Ph.D. in educational policy studies, with an emphasis in philosophy of education. from UW-Madison. According to a Clemson news release, Rosenblith was previously the chair of the college’s department of teaching and learning, and has served as a faculty member at Clemson University since 2002.

Thu
Dec
22

Russell Wilson ad sums up benefits of UW-Madison

"Where would I be without the University of Wisconsin?" UW-Madison alumnus and NFL star Russell Wilson asks this question in a new TV spot. Wilson, noted not just for athletics but also his service work, gives a succinct answer designed to show the impact the university has on its students. In 2011, Wilson attended UW-Madison as a graduate student with the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis before leaving school to join the NFL.

Fri
Dec
16

Burmeister’s gift to create four new endowment funds in School of Education

Alumna Lou Ella Burmeister, a highly regarded professor emeritus of education at the University of Texas at El Paso, recently made a major commitment to UW-Madison’s School of Education in the form of a significant planned gift. This remarkable donation will create four new endowment funds backing initiatives that are both important to the School of Education and that support projects near and dear to Burmeister.

Thu
Dec
15

UW-Madison's Smith publishes new book, 'Once Upon A Christmas'

UW-Madison alumnus and Professor Emeritus Richard J. Smith is the author of a new book, "Once Upon A Christmas.” Smith spent nearly three decades working with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, retiring in 1990. He also is an alumnus of the School of Education, having earned a master's in education speech in 1962 and a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction in 1967. Smith’s book tells 11 stories drawn from his life; from his childhood in a small town in Wisconsin, to his career working as an educator, to his retirement.

Wed
Dec
14

Fall 2016 Learning Connections now available online

The latest edition of Learning Connections, a news magazine from the UW-Madison School of Education, is now available online. The Fall 2016 issue is filled with exciting news about School of Education faculty, staff, students and alumni. This issue's cover story focuses on Literacy by the Lakes, a project that connects literacy faculty and graduate students from the School of Education with school districts across Wisconsin.

Fri
Dec
09

UW-Madison alum Cosner receives UIC Award for Excellence in Teaching

UW-Madison School of Education alumna Shelby Cosner received the University of Illinois at Chicago's (UIC) Award for Excellence in Teaching. She earned her Ph.D. from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis in 2005. Cosner is now an associate professor of educational organization and leadership at UIC.

Thu
Dec
01

Documentary from UW-Madison alum Kornblatt to screen Dec. 3 at Union South

A documentary from UW-Madison alumnus Marc Kornblatt, "What I Did In Fifth Grade," will have a free public screening on the UW-Madison campus on Saturday, Dec. 3. The film will be shown from noon to 3 p.m. in the Marquee Cinema at Union South. Kornblatt received his undergraduate degree in elementary education from UW-Madison's School of Education in 2001. Kornblatt retired from the classroom following the 2014-15 academic year after a 16-year second career as a teacher. He now devotes more time to filmmaking.

Mon
Nov
28

Alum Keenan selected as commencement speaker at Mount Mary University

School of Education alumna Tanya Keenan was featured in an article from Urban Milwaukee about being selected as the faculty commencement speaker for Mount Mary University's winter graduation. Keenan earned an undergraduate degree in secondary English education from UW-Madison’s School of Education in 1997. Keenan earlier in the semester was also awarded an Excellence in Teaching Award for 2016. She has worked as an instructor at Mount Mary since September 2011, teaching core English composition classes.

Mon
Nov
28

State Journal's 'Know Your Madisonian' feature puts spotlight on alum Hunt

School of Education alumna Laura Hunt was recently featured in the Wisconsin State Journal's weekly "Know Your Madisonian" column. Hunt received her undergraduate degree in elementary education from the School of Education in 1988. The article focuses on Hunt's work as program coordinator at the Madison Senior Center. Although she never expected to work with seniors after graduating with a degree in elementary education, Hunt calls her work a good fit.

Fri
Nov
25

UW alum Curwood receives Australian Teacher Educator of the Year Award

UW-Madison School of Education alumna Jen Scott Curwood earlier this year received the Australian Teacher Educator of the Year Award. The honor came from Teachers Mutual Bank (TMB), in partnership with the Australian Teacher Education Association (ATEA). She was recognized at the 2016 ATEA National Conference held in Ballarat this past summer. Curwood earned a Ph.D. from the School of Education's Department of Curriculum & Instruction in 2011.

Thu
Nov
17

Alum Bonner featured on cover of Our Lives magazine

UW-Madison alumna Paula Bonner is featured on the cover of the most recent issue of Our Lives magazine. Bonner, who is president of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, earned her master’s degree from the Department of Kinesiology in 1976. The article, written by Bonner herself, is headlined “Building on a Legacy.” In it, Bonner discusses growing up with strong female and male role models, coming out, her passion for fighting for equality for women’s sports and her career in Madison.

Mon
Nov
14

Alumni, friends enjoy School of Education’s annual Homecoming Tailgate

UW-Madison’s School of Education hosted more than 200 alumni and friends on Saturday, Nov. 12, for its annual Homecoming Tailgate Celebration at Union South. People connected with old friends, mingled on Union South’s third floor patio and enjoyed the Wisconsin-style tailgate, complete with brats and Babcock Ice Cream. Everyone also took in the UW Marching Band’s pre-game concert at Union South prior to heading over to Camp Randall Stadium for an afternoon of fall football fun as the Badgers beat Illinois. A photo album from the Homecoming Tailgate is posted on the School of Education’s Facebook page.

Fri
Nov
11

WKOW features 'Breathe for Change' work of UW-Madison alum Nankin

UW-Madison alumna Illana Nankin was recently featured in a report from Madison's local ABC affiliate, WKOW/Ch. 27, about Breathe for Change. This organization founded by Nankin trains teachers in yoga and mindfulness techniques. Nankin received her Ph.D. from the School of Education’s No. 1-ranked Department of Curriculum and Instruction in May 2016. Breathe for Change curriculum has been incorporated into 10 schools in the Madison Metropolitan School District. The organization has also grown nationally, with trainings in Madison, San Francisco and New York City. Next, Nankin is looking to expand the program outside of just the education field and into the corporate world.

Tue
Nov
08

UW-Madison alum Frahm publishes case study about Say Yes Buffalo

UW-Madison alumnus Robert Frahm is the author of a new case study released by the Grantmakers for Education titled, “The Promise: A Case Study of Say Yes to Education in Buffalo.” Frahm is a member of the School of Education’s Board of Visitors and is a freelance journalist who has written about education for more than 40 years. He received his undergraduate degree in English education from UW-Madison in 1968.

Mon
Nov
07

UW-Madison alum Brent profiled by La Crosse Tribune

The La Crosse Tribune recently profiled UW-Madison alumna Bethany Brent to talk about her efforts as the senior multicultural education advisor at UW-La Crosse's School of Education. Brent received her Ph.D. from the UW-Madison School of Education’s No. 1-ranked Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 2013. The La Crosse Tribune report explains how Brent has created a program called Grow Our Own Teacher Diversity, serving the needs of people that desire to become teachers but have lacked the financial and social support to do so.

Fri
Nov
04

Alum Stewart co-authors publication examining school voucher funding

UW-Madison School of Education alumna Molly Stewart co-authored a new publication titled "Follow the Money: A Comprehensive Review of the Funding Mechanisms of Voucher Programs in Six Case," which analyzes how school vouchers are funded. Stewart received a master's degree in 2010 from the School of Education's Department of Educational Policy Studies, and a Ph.D. from that same department in 2013. The publication explores the impact of policies on voucher funding, contrasts eligibility criteria and considers the impact of these criteria on state spending and district revenues.

Wed
Nov
02

UW alum, LSU President Alexander speaks about state cuts to higher education

UW-Madison alumnus and Louisiana State University President F. King Alexander gave a talk on campus about the dangers of declining levels of state funding for higher education. The talk was organized by WISCAPE. Alexander noted how state disinvestment in higher education poses a significant threat for public colleges and universities.

Tue
Nov
01

School of Education alum Daniels receives top honor from WAA

The Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA) is honoring three alumni with Distinguished Alumni Awards this fall, including Milwaukee attorney John Daniels Jr., who earned a master’s degree in 1972 from the School of Education’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Daniels is the chair emeritus of Quarles & Brady, a national law firm, and serves as a strategic business adviser to many of the firm's largest clients. As chair, he grew the firm significantly during the worst downturn since the Great Depression, expanding its ranks of attorneys and adding new locations and national practice specialties.

Fri
Oct
28

Hopkins inducted into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame

UW-Madison's Diane McAfee Hopkins was inducted into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame on Oct. 27. Hopkins is an alumna of the School of Education, having earned her Ph.D. from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in 1981. She is a professor emerita of UW-Madison's School of Library and Information Studies (SLIS).