Wisconsin Division for Early Childhood.

* The mission of the WDEC is to support individuals who work with children with special needs, birth through age eight, and their families.
Home
About Us
Message from President
Board Meeting Minutes
Press Releases
Breakfast Club
Dana Friederichs
Jane Lind
Jean Gagner
Kelly Jankowski
Paula Clay
Awards
Coming Events!
Board Members
Newsletter
Contact Us
WDEC Membership Info
Photos
JoLyn Beeman Memorial
Jenny Lange Scholorship
Links
Facebook




Press Release



The Wisconsin Division for Early Childhood (WDEC) and the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) has named Jean Gagner one of two Early Childhood Teachers of the Year. 

Jean has been in the Special Education field for over 30 years. Most recently she has been teaching preschool age students with various disabilities. Jean projects a calm, friendly, professional attitude that instantly makes you comfortable in her presence. The environment she designs for her students is safe and nurturing so that children are always excited to be there. Children in her classroom have a significant range of disabilities yet Jean is able to individualize her instruction and services to meet their individual needs. She is a strong advocate for children and does not accept no for an answer when her students’ best interests are at stake. She looks for positive outcomes in all situations.

The nomination came from her student teacher. She stated that she learned very much and appreciated everything Jean taught her.  Jean has gone above and beyond the call of duty helping other teachers, helping students and being a wonderful role model for staff.  Now that she has retired from the Durand School District, her shoes will be hard to fill.

The awards ceremony was held during the 55nd Annual Wisconsin Early Childhood Education & Care Conference, “Children Connect Us”, October 22-24, 2009 at the Kalahari in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin.  

Other award recipients at the conference include Dana (Herings) Friedrichs, Student Teacher of the Year; Paula Clay, Early Childhood Teacher of the Year; Kelly Jankowski Student Teacher of the Year, Jane Lind, Outstanding Partner in Early Education and Care, Eau Claire Family Literacy and The Breakfast Club, Collaborative Teams of the Year.

The awards were presented by Mary Jo Hite, WDEC President; Julia Townsend, WECA President;  and Ruth Nyland, WDEC President-Elect; at the Conference Professional Development Luncheon.  

Both WDEC and WECA are state chapters of national professional organizations devoted to insuring quality care and education for young children and their families.