Alum Alexa Posny providing scholarships for students to spend a summer in Washington, D.C., working in policy and networking
When Alexa Posny started elementary school, her childhood friend did not.
It was that experience of leaving her friend behind that led Posny to pursue a master’s degree in special education at UW–Madison.
Until the 1970s, people with developmental disabilities, like Posny’s friend, were not allowed in school.
“I think about all the people who never had a chance to thrive,” says Posny.
During her career as a special education teacher, Posny returned to UW– Madison to earn her PhD in educational leadership and policy analysis.
After receiving her PhD, Posny worked for the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. It was an eye-opening experience.
“I got to understand how laws work and who are the people behind the laws,” she says. “We would spend hours dis- cussing a particular word, and how that word would affect the schools, teachers, and students.”
Because of her experience, Posny recently created a scholarship for students who are studying to become administrators. Two students each year spend a summer in Washington, D.C., working in policy and networking.
“People interested in administration, especially special education administration, should be exposed to that early on,” Posny says. People working in education are not trying to make educators’ work more difficult, but sometimes it’s hard to see that, she adds.
“This experience will open doors and their mind,” Posny says. “They will have such a wider understanding. The laws are more flexible than many people think.”
Although the summer internships were virtual this past summer, the students were excited for the opportunity to participate.
“As a former special education teacher and now graduate student, I am really thrilled with the opportunity to have a seat at the table within the policy realm,” says Kate Roberts, who will complete her PhD in special education and educational leadership and policy analysis in 2022.
“This award will allow me to gain practical experience in my field, which will undoubtedly be instrumental in developing my career as a scholar-practitioner of international education,” says Diana Famakinwa, who also received a summer award and earned her PhD this fall from the Department of Educational Policy Studies.
As part of the School of Education’s Impact 2030 initiative, Posny’s gift to the School was matched by another generous donor, allowing her to have an even greater impact. Posny says it was import- ant for her to provide support to UW– Madison students, much in the same way that the School of Education helped her grow as an educator.
“The department was so helpful to me,” Posny recalls. “Professors went out of their way to be sure everyone was successful.”
And now Posny is doing the same for the next generation of educational policymakers.