She and other WACTE honorees were saluted at a tea held in Madison on April 8.

Santi, a second-year teacher and a 2016 graduate of St. Norbert College with a major in middle childhood/early adolescence education and a minor in language arts, said she was speechless and surprised when a group consisting of Pulaski Community School District superintendent Bec Kurzynske, Fairview principal Niki Napralla, Reid Riggle and Tynisha Meidl, both St. Norbert College associate professors of teacher education and co-chairs of teacher education, and Santi’s parents, entered the school library to give her the surprise news.

“I feel so lucky to be chosen and recognized for doing something I love so dearly,” said Santi. “Not only has St. Norbert college prepared me and helped shape me into the educator I am today, but so have the outstanding educators I am surrounded by each day at Fairview Elementary. I could not ask for a better place to be doing what I love most — teaching!”

Santi has distinguished herself as a driven, reflective and student-centered educator, said Fairview principal Niki Napralla. “She is innovative and collaborative in her approach to reaching all learners to ensure engaging learning opportunities. She has developed strong relationships with her students while helping them to become their best selves. Megan is an asset to our school community and is truly deserving of this award.”

Santi’s parents Julie and David of Iron Mountain surprised Megan with the news at her school.

“We are thrilled that Megan has been recognized by St. Norbert College as an outstanding early career educator. In her work with our Fairview students, Megan shares her passion for teaching and learning in innovative experiences each day,” Pulaski Community School District superintendent Bec Kurzynske added.

WACTE is a professional organization composed of the Wisconsin institutions that prepare individuals for teacher licensure. Its educator preparation programs offer diversity in size, focus, and delivery, but all are designed to prepare quality teachers for Wisconsin’s schools. WACTE is an affiliate of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE).

Santi is a 2012 graduate of Kingsford High School. Her parents, David and Julie Santi, live in Iron Mountain.