Family & Consumer Education -- A Responsive Approach at Wisconsin Dells High School -- PRTP22

09/09/22 • 23 min

When you think of Wisconsin Dells, I'm guessing the first thing that might come to mind would be the water parks and resorts. Located in southern Wisconsin, Wisconsin Dells draws in well over 4 million visitors a year. Despite that huge tourist draw, the permanent resident population is actually much smaller. Matter of fact, Wisconsin Dells High schools enrollment is just 558 students. A few months ago I was able to take a group of pre-service teachers on a tour of the high school as I heard it was recently built and rather unique. Honestly, I was so caught off guard. Not only is it aesthetically beautiful, with natural light, flexible space, and ample room, the spaces are so carefully placed. One area that really caught me off guard was the family and consumer education spaces. I think back maybe 12 or 15 years ago, I noticed a trend of schools eliminating their family and consumer education departments, but Wisconsin Dells has moved the other way. They've bolstered that department, but think about it. Many of their students head into the hospitality industry during high school or after graduation. The space they've created is responsive to their community. Today you're meeting Erin Michalsky, family and consumer education teacher at Wisconsin Dells High School.

Please check out our show notes at HTTP://www.proudruralteacher.com for photographs and related links.

Please check out our show notes at HTTP://www.proudruralteacher.com for photographs and related links.

Previous Episode

Connecting Students to the Outdoors in Goodhue, Minnesota -- PRTP21

It's been a while since I've headed up to Minnesota for an episode and this one certainly did not disappoint. Today, I'm featuring two teachers in the Goodhue School District, just north of Rochester by 40 minutes. Goodhue is certainly rural with a total K12 population of just over 720 students. I found this story by happenstance, really. I wanted to do a story on a school in the driftless of Minnesota that paid special attention to engagement with the outdoors or conservation. Sometimes these stories are hard to find because I'm several counties away, so I jumped on Twitter and begin searching “fishing Minnesota kids” – just those three words. And there I found a tweet From Goodhue teacher Robbie Abner tweeting about the Goodhue Fishing Club, and oh my, did that lead me to a great story. Come with me to learn how teachers Robbie Ebner and Matt Halverson are connecting kids with land in three different ways, and after you’re done listening, be sure to read the show notes for relevant links.

What is Envirothon?

Envirothon in the Goodhue School District

"Area Students Excel at Envirothon Competition." Goodhue-Bellchester Messenger. 15 Jun 2022.

'There is always time to go out fishing': Goodhue Fishing Club growing love of the sport in students. Post Bulletin. 12 April 2022.

Robby Ebner on Twitter

Matt Halverson on Twitter

Next Episode

A Call For Your "Portrait of a Rural Teacher"

As part of our work as the Driftless Region Hub, the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin Platteville is issuing a call for a "Portrait of a Rural Teacher." We are looking to feature alumni, who currently serve in rural education, on our website with the idea of giving future teachers an inspiring vision for their future. This includes those who started out in the classroom, but have since then moved into different roles. Please consider sharing your story. You can find the form on our website http://www.proudruralteacherpodcast.com.