WSST Awards

WSST Annual Awards Presented at the Milton O. Pella Banquet, March 10, 2023

This spring, the Awards and Recognition Committee recognized winners of the 2023 Ron Gibbs Award, Excellence in Science Teaching Award, Administrator Award, and Frank Zuerner New Science Teacher Award and Scholarship. We congratulate the following winners who were recognized during the annual Milton O. Pella Banquet.

The Ron Gibbs Award

Karyl Rosenberg began teaching in Mequon-Thiensville schools as a substitute teacher before moving to a regular teaching position at Cedarburg High School teaching Earth and Physical Science. She eventually found herself at Nicolet High School in Glendale, teaching Earth and Physical Science until her retirement in 2013. She continued to pursue substitute teaching, even after moving to Minocqua in 2017. Her passion for science teaching has extended to her community through citizen science connections. As an active member of WSST, she has volunteered on several committees and held leadership positions as District Director for both District 6 and District 7 before being appointed Historian in 2018. Michelle Griffin-Wenzel says of our winner, “she continues to serve as a role model for younger female science educators like myself. Her passion for science education is contagious and her wealth of knowledge and resources has fostered the growth of so many educators around the state.”

Excellence in Science Teaching

Terry Schwaller teaches at Schiocton High School, where he began in 2003, teaching chemistry and physics during his time there. Terry has identified an emphasis on learning science through robust lab experiences, and his district has benefitted from a generous grant that allowed him to purchase a variety of equipment to enhance the rigor and experience of his students. Recognizing the need for this in other schools in the region who may not have access to similar funding, he also set up a system to loan out materials to impact the learning of students in other districts as well. He has also prioritized taking students to Trees for Tomorrow to offer them experiences in the field not available close to home. Gen Gunderson, a former student of Terry’s who is now a science teacher herself, states, “without the influence of Terry Schwaller, I would not have been as successful as I am today. The amount of change, guidance, and passion for science that he has added to my life, let alone the lives of countless other students, is unmatched.”

WSST Administrator Award

Laura Lundy works as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction in Medford School District, where she was hired in 2005. In support of authentic experiences for Medford students, Laura was highly involved in developing the quality and use of the school forest. She has written grants to support grounds improvement like ADA accessible docks, trail improvements, sheds for equipment, and other supplies to make the forest more accessible and useful to teachers and students. This has resulted in almost every one of the grade levels in the district from pre-K to high school making use of the forest every year. Tracy Swedlund, a biology and engineering instructor at Medford Area Senior High states, “Laura has a wealth of knowledge and has the ability to present the information in a way where teachers are engaged and understand detailed content. Her professionalism is of the highest standard, and she wants the district’s K-12 science curriculum and the science teachers to be the best they can be both in and out of the classroom.”

Frank Zuerner New Science Teacher Awards and Scholarships

Sophia Scaffidi teaches 5th through 8th grade science at Notre Dame School of Milwaukee-Boys Intermediate. To Sophia, teaching science is about more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about empowering students to explore and ask questions, to think creatively and independently, and to challenge their own preconceptions and biases. She believes that teaching middle school science is a powerful way to make a positive impact on students’ lives and prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Sophia’s principal, David D’Antonio, said of Sophia, “she is strong in providing opportunities for students to excavate error in each other’s thinking and creating learning situations in which students must productively struggle through a task in order to think more scientifically about the content matter.”

Tess Reimer currently teaches a variety of classes including Aviation and Space at Sun Prairie West High School. In her short career, Tess has taken on a variety of leadership roles within the district, including participating in development of standards-based grading practices in the district, collaborating with her chemistry team to develop rubrics and aligned assessments, and contributing to organizing work around opening a second high school in the district while planning a cohesive graduation experience for students amidst this growth. She credits a few of her science teachers with leading her to finding her passion in science education. Chad Whalley, Tess’s principal says, “her ability to maintain high standards and expectations through an individualized and equity-focused approach is something I rarely see in veteran teachers, let alone a teacher in her first four years of the profession. I cannot think of a more deserving person for this award.”