March 20, 2006	Volume 5, Number 9

Burmaster receives Simon Award

State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster received the Senator Paul Simon Award for the Promotion of Language and International Studies on Friday in Chicago during the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

The award is presented annually to an individual or group outside the language teaching profession who demonstrates leadership, dedication, and enthusiasm for language learning and international studies, thereby contributing to the cause of world peace. Burmaster was nominated for the award by the Wisconsin Association for Language Teachers.

During her tenure as state superintendent, Burmaster has advanced international education and language studies in the state. She organized and chairs the Wisconsin International Education Council, a broad-based group of people from government, education, community organizations, and business. The council recently released International Education Recommendations for Global Literacy in Wisconsin which already are impacting schools. Wisconsin held its first statewide International Education Summit in 2005. Last month, Burmaster convened the first statewide meeting of French educators to set goals for the state’s new educational partnership with France.

Wisconsin was the recipient of “The Goldman Sachs Foundation Prizes for Excellence in International Education” in November 2004. That award recognized the state’s efforts to include global knowledge and skills in all aspects of teaching and learning. Additionally, Burmaster has traveled to France, Germany, Thailand, and Vietnam to build connections that strengthen Memoranda of Understanding for international student and teacher exchanges and other learning opportunities between Wisconsin and these countries.

“In accepting this award, I acknowledge and thank all the individuals in Wisconsin who are making a difference by teaching languages and bringing international perspectives to education,” Burmaster said. “Languages help us embrace the diversity in our communities and to reach across cultural boundaries. Through language learning and cultural exchanges we can grow to truly understand each other, overcoming misunderstandings and stereotypes so we can live and work cooperatively in peace.”

The Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is a 17 state, Midwest regional organization devoted to the promotion of second language learning, the largest such organization in the nation.

Last updated on 3/20/2006