Delta Kappa Gamma is an international honorary service organization that promotes professional and personal growth of exceptional women educators with ongoing projects and key events and for women who want to stay in touch with educational policies and trends.
Marge Wichmann, who is semi-retired, is the president of the local Nu Chapter.
“It’s a good organization and we want to stay vital,” said Wichmann, a member for 12 years. “This is a way for them to keep in contact with educational projects and issues.”
Women who are employed as professional educators or those who have been retired from educational positions can be members. Nu Chapter has teachers from Shawano and Waupaca counties.
Dorothy Paterick, 91, has been a member for 50 years. She taught grades 1-8 for almost 40 years.
“I am committed to it because of the goals,” she said. “It keeps you up to date with education because I have grandkids and great-grandkids.”
The Nu Chapter supports projects such as a literacy contest for students in grades 3-8 who submit original fictional stories and illustrate them. They provide books for parents of newborns at the local hospitals. A bookmark is included that gives reasons to read to your child, stressing the early importance of reading.
Jean Murphy, who teaches fourth grade at Rexford-Longfellow Elementary School in Clintonville, is on the Books for Newborns Committee.
“I enjoy being part of an organization of teachers, both retired and active,” said Murphy, adding that the retired teachers have a wealth of information to share.
The chapter offers a scholarship to a student accepted to a school of education and also donates to local libraries. After hearing about Habitat for Humanity at one of its meetings, the chapter offered to organize and help with the landscaping of a local home. Members have also collected items for Safe Haven.
Retired teacher Judy Zeitler taught fourth grade at Olga Brener Intermediate School in Shawano.
“I enjoy the group,” she said. “I started because I’ve always been interested in education and thought this would be great to continue to help educators and students.”
When they have speakers at meetings, the women are informed about current topics such as autism or the use of technology. A discussion is usually held on current educational research.
Nu Chapter meets at a variety of places and times to accommodate teachers who are still working. They have had meetings at churches, restaurants, schools, Navarino Nature Center and Rawhide Ranch. There are five business meetings a year.
Other officers are Vicky Haas, first vice president, Sue Hlinak, second vice president, Dianne Kjendalen, secretary, and Mary Lou Donnelly, treasurer. Teachers, school nurses, librarians, or those who teach nursing classes can become members. Dues are $80, which includes international, state and local membership.
“We believe in strong female leaders to stand up for strong education,” Wichmann said. “If any women educators wish to join, we’d be happy to invite them.”
For more information, contact Wichmann at 715-823-3689 or alwichm@frontiernet.net.
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