Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/437000
WINTER 2014 | WEAnews 12 Great Things Happen Everyday I Won the NFIE, but what does that mean? Diane Wedl has been a professional educator in Wyoming for over 20 years. Before her current position as Instructional Facilitator (IF) for Laramie County School District #2, she was a long-term substitute teacher in Laramie County School District #1 in Cheyenne. Growing up in Wyoming, before Diane taught as a professional, she spent her days as a camp counselor and youth director for a local church. Education is inside Diane. Diane was shocked and honored to be nominated by fellow colleague and WEA member Craig Williams, but said, "There are so many educators who deserve this. I can't wait to use my experiences to help our students become more globally competent – but what does that look like?" Wedl admits that she is just beginning to scratch the surface of what the NFIE fellowship actually entails. "This isn't a one-time shot; bringing global awareness to a rural district takes a very concerted effort." "My family has been in Wyoming for generations, so I understand how our local, statewide and national issues affect us," Wedl said, "but it's our job as educators to make our students socially aware and accepting of differences beyond our state's and country's borders. We need to be citizens of the world." With some educational buzzwords being "college/career ready," Wedl stresses the importance of going beyond our comfort zones. "What do those buzzwords mean?" she asked. "Technology allows our students to have access to things no prior generation has ever had," she said. "Bringing a level of global competency only makes Wyoming students better citizens as they grow." Wedl, along with 38 other public school teachers, will be honored at the NEA Foundation's Salute to Excellence in Education Gala to be held in Washington, D.C. in February 2015. Wedl will travel to Easy Ideas to "Globalize" your school - Make an international time zone wall - Build a "Culture Corner" to introduce new countries - Stream music from other countries for students to listen to "Looking for creative ways to bring the world into your class?" Check out betterlesson.com Peru in the summer of 2015, where she will visit schools and students and take part in a local community service project, among other things, on the Fellowship's ten-day journey around the country. Shawn Courtney (L), California Casualty Representative to Wyoming, presents a check to Burns Elementary School Principal Jerry Burkett in honor of NFIE Award winner Diana Wedl, far right. WEA President Kathy Vetter, 2nd from R, was also in attendance.