UWO lecturer Paul Sager of Appleton, center, gathers with co-workers and a representative of CESA 10. Sager recently was honored with an award naming him Higher Education Distance Educator of the Year.
Teaching virtual classes has allowed a University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh instructor to connect with high school students from rural locales around Wisconsin.
Paul Sager, a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin—Oshkosh, recently was surprised as he received a distinguished honor from the Wisconsin Association of Distance Education Networks for his virtual instruction for high school students.
Sager has been teaching college writing courses to students in rural districts since 2021, in partnership with Cooperative Educational Service Agencies (CESA) 10.
CAPP is a UW–Oshkosh initiative and collaboration with participating high schools to provide academically capable students an opportunity to earn college credit while still in high school. It is a concurrent enrollment program, meaning courses are taught for the most part during the regular school day, by certified high school teachers who hold adjunct lecturer status with UW–Oshkosh. Students receive both high school and college credit for their work, thereby decreasing time and costs to earn a college degree and the benefit of entering college with credits under their belts.
Students inspire him
UWO’s Paul Sager is named 2025 Higher Education Educator of the Year from the Wisconsin Association of Distance Education Networks.
Sager’s nomination for the award highlighted his commitment to inclusion and student growth through thoughtful, engaging instruction.
“Paul is a professor who is willing to learn about his students and make accommodations,” said one of his students at Blair-Taylor High School in Trempealeau County. “He runs his classroom in a way that all voices and perspectives are heard.”
The nominator said students in Sager’s classes learn how to be better writers.
“He helps us understand the importance of each assignment and ensures it’s meaningful,” the student said.
Sager, who was surprised and moved by the award, presented by Jamie Kampf of CESA 10, said he truly enjoys what he’s doing and cherishes his students.
“I love it. The students are great, they inspire me. I’m not cynical about the next generation,” he said about his work, adding he has great faith in the future.
Though online teaching can have challenges, Sager, who described himself as a Gen-Xer, said he’s embracing it.
This term, he is teaching writing to students in the Bloomer, Colby and Blair-Taylor districts.
Preparing for future success
UW-Oshkosh began offering classes to CESA 10’s distance learning networks in fall 2021. Through the partnership, rural high school students in west central Wisconsin have gained access to UWO course offerings including Writing 101, Writing 102, Intro to Sociology, Intro to Psychology, and Intro to Engineering. Since fall 2021, there have been 436 enrollments at 10 different districts.
“The partnership between UW–Oshkosh and CESA 10 exemplifies how collaboration can bring valuable higher education opportunities to students in rural areas, preparing them for future academic success,” said Kampf of CESA 10, which manages 39 school districts over 14 counties. Students have access to courses they might not otherwise have available.
Kampf noted the partnership, this year, saved more than $120,000 to districts offering post-secondary course work, compared to full tuition.
Commemorative plaques for Sager and the K-12 Educator of the Year, Mari Harger of the Colby School District, were designed and created by Claire Nikola, a student member of Northwoods Manufacturing at Hurley High School.
In addition, Sager and Harger received a $250 Amazon gift card usable for personal or classroom needs.
This year, 10 educators were nominated from a pool of 58 K-12 teachers and more than 85 higher education instructors and professors.
WADEN is a collaborative organization made up of regional distance learning networks managed by CESA 3, CESA 10, CESA11 and a pair of consortiums. WADEN works to expand access to equitable K-12 and community education across Wisconsin through live video conferencing and other virtual learning platforms.
Written by Laurie Schlosser
Link to original story: https://www.uwosh.edu/today/127271/uwo-instructor-earns-state-higher-ed-distance-educator-of-the-year-award/