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Teacher of the Year

The Agriculture in the Classroom Program recognizes a Wisconsin teacher for his or her achievements in teaching students the importance of agriculture while integrating agricultural concepts across the curriculum. Certified teachers currently engaged in classroom instruction at the pre-K through 12 levels and Teachers integrating agricultural concepts into non-agricultural curricula are eligible. The application needs to be postmarked by November 10.

Reedsburg Educator Wins Ag in the Classroom Award

REEDSBURG—Dana Westedt, a fourth grade teacher at South Elementary School in Reedsburg, is the recipient of the Wisconsin Agriculture in the Classroom’s Outstanding Teacher Award.

The selection was made by members of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau’s Agriculture in the Classroom program to recognize teachers for their efforts in teaching students the importance of agriculture.

“Dana is very deserving of the award because the variety and scope of the activities, lessons, tours and speakers she uses to help her students learn more about agriculture and the environment,” saidDarlene Arneson, Ag in the Classroom coordinator.

Westedt offers many field trips for her students including the Wisconsin Cranberry Discovery Center, MacKenzie Environmental Center, cranberry bogs, dairy farms and cheese plants. She has also utilizes the Reedsburg School Forest.

She provides cheese sticks to all school students on Wisconsin Day, brings in beets from her husband’s garden for a “Beet and Beat” spelling lesson, uses dairy facts in math class, and brings in Wisconsin-made treats including root beer, ice cream, popcorn, mustard and beef sticks. Her students use Wisconsin maps to learn where the products come from and where they can shop for locally grown products.

Westedt incorporates plant science into her lessons by receiving seedlings from the Department of Natural Resources on Arbor Day, and planting flower and vegetable seeds in March that end up as Mother and Father’s Day gifts. She also invites a nursery owner in to talk about seeds and propagation. Westedt has taken teacher training classes from the Wisconsin Ag in the Classroom program.

A graduate of UW-La Crosse, Westedt received her Master’s Degree in educational media. She has taught at South Elementary School for 17 years. She served as president of the Reedsburg Education Association in 2006-08 and has received a variety of other awards.

Westedt, who will be Wisconsin ’s nominee for the National Excellence in Teaching Agriculture Award, will receive a cash award and her class will receive a special classroom presentation and additional educational resources.

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