Klopp, Sepnafski, and Dary Honored in Wisconsin

NYLC congratulates staff member Carole Klopp and National Service-Learning Exchange Peer Mentors Bill Sepnafski and Teri Dary who each received Wisconsin's 2004 State Superintendent's Service-Learning Awards. The awards — which were presented at a September 23 ceremony by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Elizabeth Burmaster — honor individuals who have shown exemplary leadership in the field of service-learning.

Klopp was honored for her 14 years in the field as NYLC's Director of Professional Programs and Services and Director of the Exchange. Sepnafski, a teacher at Menasha High School, received the award for his work as a presenter, consultant, and trainer for district and school staff; his work evaluating service-learning projects at the local, state, and national levels; and his participation in service-learning research studies. Dary was recognized for her work as National Director of Community Coaches, where she provides teachers throughout the country with outreach, training, and support for the Do Something program, which teaches students the importance of being active and caring citizens.

"Service-learning is the most effective educational strategy for the application of knowledge
learned in school to the real world and for the civic engagement of students in their communities,"
Burmaster said. "Students can best learn through authentic hands-on involvement what it means to be
productive, contributing citizens of a democracy. In the words of Benjamin Franklin 'Tell me and I forget,
teach me and I remember, involve me and I learn.'"