Lawrence University Recognizes Two State Teachers as "Outstanding Educators"

APPLETON, WIS. -- Xavier High School teacher Peter Bartman and Leyla Sanyer, orchestra director at Oregon High School, will be honored as exceptional educators Sunday, June 17 during Lawrence University's 152nd commencement.

Bartman is the second Appleton school teacher to receive Lawrence's Outstanding Teaching in Wisconsin Award, joining James Heiks, music teacher at Appleton North, who was honored in 1998.

Established in 1985, Lawrence's outstanding teaching award recognizes Wisconsin secondary school teachers for excellence. Nominated by Lawrence seniors, the recipients are selected on their abilities to communicate their subject effectively, create a sense of excitement in the classroom, motivate their students to pursue academic excellence while showing a genuine concern for them in as well as outside the classroom. Bartman and Sanyer, the 35th and 36th teachers recognized since the award's inception, will each receive a certificate, a citation and a monetary award.

Bartman, a former aerospace engineer for Lockheed and Boeing, joined the Xavier faculty in 1981. During his 20-year career, he has taught a wide range of subjects, including drafting, business, economics, engineering, mathematics, physics and psychology. In addition to his classroom duties, Bartman is an assistant coach with both the Xavier boys and girls soccer teams and is the moderator of the school chess club.

In nominating him for the award, Lawrence senior Ryan Vander Wielen, Neenah, cited Bartman's "passion for teaching... and skillful ability to communicate. He motivates students to higher learning through an individual approach to teaching, encourages the development of talents and always shows concern and compassion for all of his students."

Born and raised in Appleton, Bartman graduated from Appleton High School in 1961. He earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Kansas, a master's of business administration at the University of Washington and his education certification from Lawrence in 1976.

Sanyer spent 10 years in the Manitowoc school district before taking over the orchestra program at Oregon High School in 1987. An accomplished violinist, she performs regularly with the Oakwood Chamber Players, a Madison-area ensemble heard frequently on Wisconsin Public Radio, and has also played with the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra.

Michael O'Brien and Matt Pickett both nominated Sanyer for the teaching award. "Her warmth, vitality, sense of humor and flexibility make her a popular teacher, but it is the combination of these traits with her excellent musicianship, imaginative curricular design and constant aim to improve herself that make her an outstanding teacher," said O'Brien.

Pickett credited Sanyer for teaching him how exciting music can be and inspiring him to pursue his own career as a music educator. "Her enthusiasm, dedication, caring and attention to each individual student are the standards I will use in my own teaching."

A member of the American String Teachers Association and the Wisconsin Music Educators Association, Sanyer helped develop the Wisconsin State Standards in Music Education, which aims to improve the quality of music education throughout the state. A native of Madison, she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in music education at the University of Wisconsin.