This spring, Carroll University’s Education Department has honored two teachers with the Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (WACTE) Early Career and Pre-Service Education Awards. WACTE is a professional organization composed of the Wisconsin institutions that prepare individuals for teacher licensure.
Connor Balistreri ’15 teaches at Catholic Memorial High School in Waukesha and distinguishes himself as truly professional and engaging with students and staff alike through his highly interactive classes and creative teaching approach. Connor uses his artistic abilities to engage and motivate students, getting students to draw, model and describe their education experiences and personal challenges. His innovative thought process and artistic creativity are the link between getting our at-risk students to better express themselves and get "tuned" into academic work.
Laura Beth Dahm is the director of KM Explore School, which is part of the Kettle Moraine School District in Wales. Laura Beth is an outstanding educator whose commitment to students of all ages is evident in her work as a teacher, educational leader, cooperating teacher, adjunct instructor and university partner. Laura has been a leader in the design and implementation of an innovative, learner-centered school that emphasizes collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking for students, families and educators. Under Laura’s leadership, KM Explore has become nationally recognized for their innovation and success in designing learning environments that promote learning for ALL students. KM Explore hosts hundreds of educators annually who come to learn more about the design, teaching and learning in personalized environments. Most recently, Laura has joined Carroll University as an adjunct professor, co-facilitating the Advanced Studies in Personalized Learning certificate in the graduate program.
This year 46 teachers from across the state were honored for their accomplishments in education.