Sun Prairie educator receives Wisconsin Global Educator of the Year award

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Sandra Kowalczyk, a middle school reading specialist from Patrick Marsh Middle School in Sun Prairie, will receive the 2018-19 Wisconsin Global Educator of the Year award.

A release said the Global Educator of the Year Award recognizes those who provide learning opportunities for students and make exemplary contributions to the profession as it relates to global education.

In her classroom, Kowalczyk brings international guests to the classroom and facilitates the Go Global Club.

“Developing global competence takes time. Sandra captures and sustains middle school students’ attention through global literature and face-to-face opportunities to learn from people of other cultural backgrounds,” said State Superintendent Carolyn Stanford Taylor. “She is generous with her time, sharing successful practices with fellow educators here and across the world.”

Stanford Taylor will present the award to Kowalcyzk during an all-staff meeting Jan. 16 at Patrick Marsh Middle School.

The release said individuals can only qualify as Wisconsin Global Educator of the Year if teachers “cultivate students’ global awareness, promote growth of global competencies, model and engage colleagues in best practices for global learning, and employ innovative approaches to building global knowledge and skills.”

Since traveling to the former Soviet Union at 17 years old, Kowalczyk has visited five continents and gained experiences to share with her students. She also builds relationships with schools abroad.

Kowalcyzk was selected among nominees by the State Superintendent’s International Education Council and will receive a $1,000 honorarium from Madison-area Rotary Clubs.

Kowalcyzk was a former Wisconsin Middle Level Teacher of the Year and serves on the Wisconsin Teacher of the Year Council.

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