As future marketing and business education teachers, Eden Lea and Laurianna Demler hope to help students recognize their potential, guide them in exploring different interests and develop the skills, confidence and professionalism needed for success in college, careers and their everyday lives.
“I want to inspire my future students to become creative problem-solvers, effective leaders, and lifelong learners in a forever changing world and workforce,” Lea said.
Lea and Demler were recognized among their peers at the Wisconsin Educators of Business and Information Technology (WEBIT) and Wisconsin Marketing Education Association (WMEA) Conference, held recently in Fond du Lac. Lea was named the WMEA Emerging Educator Award, and Demler received a $500 scholarship from WEBIT.
Joining them in recognition at the conference, alumni Mischell Fyar (’01, ’07) was honored with the Teacher of the Year Award, and Danielle Bruseth (’11) was honored with the Hosler Outstanding Leadership Award. They were awarded for their continued service and leadership in supporting educators, strengthening professional connections and advancing business education across the state.
Professor Debbie Stanislawski, MBE program director, was recognized for 30 years in education. “It’s especially meaningful to see our MBE students learning alongside practicing educators at professional conferences. For both our online and on-campus students, these experiences bring our polytechnic mission to life by connecting classroom learning with professional practice. Our students and alumni share a commitment to learning from one another, supporting the profession and preparing students for their futures. I’m proud to see our alumni putting that commitment into action through their leadership in marketing and business education across Wisconsin,” she said.
Business education prepares students for their futures
Lea and Demler both feel that UW-Stout Polytechnic is preparing them to make that impact. As a junior, Lea is pre-student teaching in a middle and high school classroom.
“UW-Stout Polytechnic encourages me to view every learning opportunity through the lens of an educator rather than simply a student here,” she said. “While my focus is MBE, my coursework and experiences have also emphasized the overall mission of career and technical education, helping me understand how to prepare learners with both technical and career-ready skills needed for future success.”
As a second-year student, Demler is already gaining teaching experience through DECA and Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) events and the university’s biannual Teach Day, where she presented a lesson and activity for high school students exploring what it means to be a teacher.
“Experiences like these have helped me develop my teaching skills while sharing my passion for education with others,” said Demler, who serves as the MBEA student organization’s financial manager.
Demler recognizes that “sometimes students struggle in school because they don’t fully understand how material is applicable in their lives. I want to combat this issue by providing classroom material that is hands-on, engaging, and relevant to students’ everyday lives,” she said. “Students are our future, and they deserve an education that prepares them for success beyond the classroom. I am excited to be part of that journey and make a positive impact on their lives.”
Lea plans to graduate in 2027 and Demler in 2028. They both would like to teach near their hometowns of Amherst Junction and Campbellsport.
Advancing business education across the state
Fryar, a teacher at Rhinelander High School, has been a member of WMEA for 26 years and has held several positions on the board of directors, including secretary, secondary representative, president and treasurer; a position she has held since 2018.
Her commitment extends well beyond the classroom through active involvement in professional organizations and opportunities that bring educators together to collaborate, learn, and strengthen marketing and business education across the state, including at the Summer Shindig and BEcoME It conferences and social events throughout the year, such as the DECA state conference.
“WMEA has not only given me curriculum to use in my classroom; it has also given me the opportunities to inspire and lead other educators around the state,” Fryar said. “I believe being involved in professional organizations as an educator is extremely important. I believe the most important leadership qualities a teacher can have are leading by example, having passion, being reliable, being the first to volunteer and doing the work you are asking others to do.”
Bruseth, a teacher at Oak Creek High School, continues to give back to the profession through leadership at both the local and state levels, helping create opportunities for business and marketing educators to connect, collaborate and grow professionally. Bruseth currently serves as the Large School Representative on the FBLA Board of Advisors and has served in numerous WEBIT leadership roles, including student representative, teacher representative, secretary, treasurer, president and executive director.
The Hosler Outstanding Leadership Award recognizes outstanding contributions to advancing business education in Wisconsin. The award honors the legacy of Russ and Mary Margaret Hosler, whose lifelong dedication and leadership helped shape and advance business education throughout Wisconsin and beyond.
UW-Stout Polytechnic has been preparing highly effective educators for more than 135 years. Today, the School of Education offers nine undergraduate and five graduate programs, including on-campus and online options, along with five certificates and three certifications. One hundred percent of education graduates are employed or continuing their education within six months of graduation.
