Peer Mentor William Sepnafski Receives Global Teacher Award

NYLC congratulates National Service-Learning Exchange Peer Mentor William Sepnafski who received the Global Teacher Award from the State of Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster, University of Wisconsin Dean of Education Charles Read, and International Studies Dean Gilles Bousquet presented the award on Friday, March 12, as part of the Across Six Continents Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The ceremony honored seven educators and two media outlets for their support of international education.

"The outstanding educators and friends of education we are honoring are instrumental in helping educate our children for success in an international future," said Burmaster.

Sepnafski (pictured), a social studies teacher at Menasha (Wis.) High School, received the award for his excellence in teaching courses including World Problems, Youth Service-Learning, and Advanced Placement World History. He accepted it on behalf of the 10 area schools that created the Sister Cities Youth Conference in Fox Cities, Wis. The event included a live video connection with Russian students and an opportunity to meet Mikhail Gorbachev.

"Bill is a true service-learning star," said Carole Klopp, Director of the National Service-Learning Exchange and NYLC's Professional Programs and Services department. "He has been an Exchange Peer Mentor for the past five years and has provided exemplary assistance to educators needing to learn more about service-learning. This award could not have gone to a more worthy teacher and we at the Exchange are particularly proud to call Bill one of our own!"