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For many University of Wisconsin-Superior students, the end of the fall semester signaled more than a well-deserved break from classes - it marked the moment when their education came to life, and their professional careers began to advance. Graduating Yellowjackets celebrated their achievements during the Winter Grad Walk on Saturday, December 13, while also looking ahead to UW-Superior's formal commencement ceremony in May.

Among the graduates was cohort from the online Master of Science in Education - Educational Administration program. As they reached the finish line of their academic journey, these students requested that one particularly influential instructor join them: Tanya Skalecki, senior lecturer in educational administration graduate studies at UW-Superior.

Recognizing an Impactful Mentor

"Dr. Skalecki was a phenomenal instructor," said Brandon Lee, a UWS student from Viroqua, Wisconsin. "My interactions with her were always positive. She had extremely high expectations and let you know where improvement was needed while guiding you through that growth. I commend her commitment to UW-Superior and the lengths she went to in order to ensure her students were set up for success."

It was that impact that motivated several of Skalecki's students to ask if she would attend the Grad Walk.

"We were all discussing who would be attending the December Grad Walk," said Addye Rengel, of Sartell, Minnesota. "My peers and I shared a common sadness that we would not be able to be hooded by Dr. Skalecki as the spring graduates would be."

For Rengel, the Grad Walk also offered a chance to experience something she had missed during COVID-19.

"I graduated with my undergraduate degree in May 2020, so I was never able to celebrate my college graduation," said Rengel, who hopes to become a director of special education/pupil services role after completing the program. "I was so excited simply to have the gratification of wearing my gown and receiving my diploma. It felt like this had been a long time coming."

A Special Request and a Memorable Yes

Skalecki, a first-generation college student who earned her master's degree in the same Educational Administration program she now teaches, was touched by her students' request, even if she wasn't sure it would be possible.

"I felt truly honored by the request and was genuinely caught off guard," said Skalecki, now in her sixth year as a full-time senior lecturer at UWS. "When the topic came up during the seminar, I was so surprised that I cannot even remember which student asked first. When several students voiced their support, I told them I would check with the university to see if attending and possibly hooding them would be allowed."

Ultimately, Skalecki received permission and was able to perform the hooding, adding a personal and meaningful touch to the ceremony for her students.

Learning that Reaches Beyond the Classroom

The Master of Science in Education - Educational Administration offers three tracks - PK-12 Principalship, PK-12 Director of Instruction, and Director of Special Education and Pupil Services - all of which can be completed efficiently and meet licensure requirements for Wisconsin, Minnesota and many other states and countries.

"My most memorable learning moment with Dr. Skalecki was preparing for my comprehensive exam," said Lee, who hopes to take on a Director of Special Education/Pupil Services role. "She was very thorough throughout the preparation process and set me up for success. I will never forget how excited she was for me when I passed the exam during our final evaluation meeting. Her matched excitement was something I will always remember."

"Dr. Skalecki was approachable in a meaningful way," said Raquel Sylvester, from Brown Deer, Wisconsin. "It felt like she wanted us to win. Her weekly videos made me feel as connected as if I were sitting in the classroom with her."

"Tanya and I shared some very impactful childhood experiences, and I really got to see just how much she cared," added Rengel. "She cared not only about our education, but about each of us as individuals. It was a great modeling moment for me as a future administrator. I will never forget her kind words."

Celebration, Connection and Closure

While the Winter Grad Walk offered students an opportunity to reflect on the hard work that brought them to this moment, it also gave Skalecki a chance to celebrate alongside them.

"First, I was most looking forward to meeting the students and their families in person for the first time," said Skalecki. "Second, I was excited to share in the students' joy and sense of accomplishment as I hooded them - an experience I will truly cherish as a highlight of my career. Third, I looked forward to spending time with the students after the Grad Walk as we celebrated together following the event."

A Shared Achievement with Lasting Impact

The Winter Grad Walk became more than a ceremony - it became a testament to the relationships, mentorship and shared commitment that define UW-Superior's approach to education. For these graduates, the experience marked both an ending and a beginning: the close of a rigorous academic journey and the start of careers shaped by the support of a mentor who believed in them.

Master of Science in Education - Educational Administration Online

Become an educational leader with a master's in Educational Administration. Work on your degree on your own schedule with our asynchronous online learning and pay-as-you-go tuition. Choose from three tracks: PK-12 Principalship, PK-12 Director of Instruction, or Director of Special Education and Pupil Services.