Colfax teachers Thorn, Dickinsen recognized through university’s School of Education

Middle, high school instructors honored for classroom efforts, mentoring student teachers
​Jerry Poling | June 6, 2022

A University of Wisconsin-Stout alum along with a teacher who collaborates with the university’s School of Education have received awards from a statewide organization.

Teachers Kathleen Thorn and John Dickinsen from the Colfax School district were honored by the Wisconsin Association of Colleges of Teacher Education.

Thorn recently completed her third year teaching marketing and business at Colfax High School. She received the Early Educator Award.

Kathleen Thorn, left, receives the WACTE Early Educator Award from UW-Stout Professor Debbie Stanislawski.
Kathleen Thorn, left, receives the WACTE Early Educator Award from UW-Stout Professor Debbie Stanislawski. / UW-Stout

A graduate of UW-Stout’s marketing and business education program, she was recognized for her positive impact, innovation in designing learning experiences and advocacy for students.

Thorn also has a degree in business administration from UW-Stout.

Dickinsen, who teaches science at Colfax Middle School, received the Preservice Educator Award. He works with preservice student teachers in science education from UW-Stout.

This year, Dickinsen mentored Kyle Easter, a senior science education major from Shawano. Easter has been hired to teach chemistry, physics and physical science beginning in the fall at the high school.

John Dickinsen, left, receives the WACTE Preservice Educator Award from UW-Stout Professor Kevin Mason.
John Dickinsen, left, receives the WACTE Preservice Educator Award from UW-Stout Professor Kevin Mason. / UW-Stout

Dickinsen was recognized for five-plus years of mentoring preservice teachers, including modeling professional responsibility, evidentiary assessment, classroom management and helping them become leaders.

The awards were presented by professors Kevin Mason and Debbie Stanislawski from the School of Education.

“We are proud to recognize the work of these great teachers in teaching K-12 students and mentoring preservice teachers,” Mason said.

The university’s School of Education offers nine undergraduate and five Graduate School teaching programs.

###


High-flying: Alum’s work with Lockheed-Martin takes him into rarified air with F-22, other projects Featured Image

High-flying: Alum’s work with Lockheed-Martin takes him into rarified air with F-22, other projects

The F-22 jet is one of many successes in Barry Bauer’s career as a project manager with Lockheed-Martin after earning two degrees from UW-Stout.
Design for Industry students create kindergartners’ ideal toys through AI rapid prototyping Featured Image

Design for Industry students create kindergartners’ ideal toys through AI rapid prototyping

Collaboration with St. Paul’s School introduces children to engineering; completed toys gifted to school
Future of farming in Wisconsin: Professors design customized, energy-efficient, low-cost technology Featured Image

Future of farming in Wisconsin: Professors design customized, energy-efficient, low-cost technology

Social science, engineering project for precision agriculture funded by Universities of Wisconsin