The Wisconsin Society of Science Teachers (WSST) awarded Ray Scolavino, one of its inaugural Legacy Awards at its March conference. The award honors his years of service to the organization.
Scolavino, distinguished lecturer in the Department of Teaching and Learning, is program director for Science Education Grades 4-12 and Mathematics Education Grades 4-12. He has helped prepare science educators since 1999. He also supervises student teachers and teaches elementary methods.
He estimates that over the years he has helped prepare 400 secondary science teachers.
“I’ve always been interested in science,” he said. One of his professors at Ripon College was so impressed by one of his presentations that he suggested Scolavino consider becoming an educator.
After earning his teaching certification and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at UWM, he taught science at Messmer High School for eight years,
Scolavino eventually decided he wanted to help prepare future science educators, and joined the School of Education’s science education program. .
“I got into working with Craig Berg (now professor emeritus of teaching and learning) and went on to earn his doctorate in urban education (curriculum and instruction).
In preparing future science educators, teaching content is important, he said, “but I strive to help them develop the skills they need to work with high school and elementary students.” Those skills include helping their students develop their own problem solving, analysis and critical thinking abilities. skills.
It’s sometimes a challenge for teachers to hold the interest of students who don’t always relate to science, Scolavino said.
So, another critical skill is to help future teachers learn to hold students’ interest, and understand how science relates to their lives, he added.
His former students stay in touch, he said, with many of them serving as cooperating teachers, hosting UWM student teachers. Others are active with the WSST.
“They are giving back to teaching. They are driven to come back and stay engaged for a whole lifetime.”
Scolavino’s enthusiasm and energy for the work is unwavering even after more than 25 years, he said.
Scolavino was one of three Wisconsin educators to receive the Legacy award this year. The others were Tammy Dymesich, a retired science teacher from Sheboygan, and Rod Dymesich, a retired science teachers from Phillips, Wisconsin.