Two WCTC instructors earn National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) awards
PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Wednesday, April 8, 2020) – Two Waukesha County Technical College faculty – Mark Stigler and Rosemary Bednarek – have been named recipients of 2020 NISOD Excellence Awards.
NISOD, or the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, is a membership organization committed to promoting and celebrating excellence in teaching, learning and leadership at community and technical colleges. The American Association of Community Colleges named NISOD the country’s leading provider of professional development for community college faculty, staff and administrators.
The NISOD Excellence Awards recognize men and women each year who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment and contribution to their students and colleagues.
Award recipient Stigler has worked at the College for 20 years, teaching Criminal Justice courses in the associate degree program and specialized training programs as well as to police recruits. His courses focus on a variety of topics, including the Constitution, criminal law, implicit bias and de-escalation.
Prior to teaching, Stigler served as the deputy chief of police for the City of Waukesha for 29 years; he is also a veteran of the U.S. Army. Additionally, Stigler is active in volunteerism -- specifically in the area of emergency management. He serves on the Southeast Wisconsin Incident Management Team and assists Waukesha County Emergency Management when needed.
Stigler said the most rewarding aspect of being an educator is best summed up by a Bill Bennot quote: “How we walk with the broken speaks louder than how we sit with the great.”
Jodi Crozier, associate dean of WCTC’s Criminal Justice Studies program and director of the Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement Academy, nominated Stigler for the award.
“As a former assistant chief for the Waukesha Police Department, Mark was a highly respected and well-liked member of the department. That respect and dedication has followed him to his position here at WCTC as a full-time Criminal Justice Studies instructor,” Crozier said. “He is a teacher, mentor and friend to our students and an example of dedication and professionalism to all who work with him. Mark has a master’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Center for Homeland Defense and Security (CHDS) in Monterey, Calif., and is an FBI National Academy graduate. We couldn’t be more proud to have him part of our CJ team.”
Award recipient Bednarek has been an instructor at WCTC since 1996. She is the Phlebotomy program director and practicum coordinator, and teaches a range of allied health classes, including Intro to Phlebotomy, Practicum, Human Disease for Health Professions, Medical Terminology and other classes, workshops and labs.
Bednarek says her greatest achievement is knowing her students – now alums – have found success in their work. Recently, former students contacted Bednarek to thank her for their training and share with her compliments they received from their employers about their level of proficiency. “It helps me every day to know how successful they have become!” she said, noting that while it is her job to inspire them, they are the ones who inspire her.
Lisa Nowak, associate dean of Dental, Medical Assistant and Health programs, nominated Bednarek for the award.
“Rosemary continues year after year to look for ways to improve her course, her teaching style and her communication with her students,” Nowak said. “She goes above and beyond for each student whether it is explaining how to navigate her course in Canvas (learning management platform) or spending additional hours breaking down content to help a student achieve success on a test.”
Additionally, Nowak said Bednarek is the first to help at a recruitment event, open house or graduation. She is kind and patient with students, peers and staff, and she is well respected as a leader in education and teaching.
“It is very gratifying to watch her students complete her Introduction to Phlebotomy course as nervous beginners and then see their excitement as they prepare to start their clinical course with so much more confidence and skills,” Nowak said. “This is all due to her expertise and desire to share her own knowledge in order to benefit others.”
Congratulations to WCTC’s 2020 NISOD winners!