Local Educators Honored with Distance Learning Educator of the Year Awards

CESA 10 is proud to announce that two local educators who teach through CESA 10’s distance learning networks have received the Wisconsin Association of Distance Education Networks (WADEN) 2025 Distance Learning Educator of the Year Awards.

Mari Harger, who teaches Geometry, Pre-Algebra, and Algebra 1 for the Colby School District, was honored with the K-12 Educator of the Year Award. As a bilingual instructor, her ability to connect with native Spanish- speaking students from her home in Costa Rica and her mastery of mathematics creates a uniquely impactful learning experience. Harger expressed her gratitude, saying, “I love what I do every day. It is more than a job. The staff at Colby and CESA 10 are so unique, innovative, and passionate – it’s contagious.”

The second recipient is Paul Sager, a University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh lecturer. Sager teaches College Writing courses to students in rural districts, including the Blair-Taylor School District. A student from Blair-Taylor High School remarked, “Paul is a professor who is willing to learn about his students and make accommodations. He runs his classroom in a way that ensures all voices and perspectives are heard.” Sager received the Higher Education Educator of the Year Award.

CESA 10 has been a leader in managing distance learning consortiums for over 30 years. Through these networks, students gain access to high school electives, Advanced Placement courses, and opportunities for university and technical college credits. This school year alone, the Colby School District has enrolled 92 students, while Blair-Taylor has 58 students participating in distance learning courses through the consortium. That equates to 155 university credits, 108 technical college credits, and more than $36,000 in tuition savings. To learn more about CESA 10’s distance learning consortiums, visit www.cesa10.org.