WCCAA'S Recognition Award

The objective of the award is to honor an individual who has made a significant contribution to the field of child care in Wisconsin. This contribution may take a variety of forms, and could be in any one of the following categories:

ADMINISTRATOR: A person who has made a lasting contribution as a program administrator in Wisconsin, possibly as a long-term administrator, or through some significant work for the profession.

RESOURCE PERSON: Any person who has strengthened the field of child care by promoting, educating, or motivating personnel.

GOVERNMENT/CIVIC: A person, either elected or appointed, who has actively promoted quality child care in Wisconsin.

MEDIA/COMMUNICATION: An individual who has benefited our field through in-depth reporting and/or time given to promote quality care.

PHILANTHROPIST" A person who has made financial contributions to child care in the form of grants, gifts, or in-kind donations.

Becky Wurzer

Becky is the director of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Learning center, licensed for 85 children. Before assuming her current role, Becky was a teacher there for 21 years. Becky prides herself on involving college students in the classrooms of their NAEYC accredited center. In any given semester, approximately 80 college students work side by side with regular staff. Whether they are studying to be teachers or other professionals who will work in some way with children, these students are learning from the best.

Becky’s nomination stated that she has placed her handprint on the lives of over 7000 college students. In addition, Becky has been an amazing resource person for others in our field. She is described as compassionate, devoted, accepting, nonjudgmental, and supportive.

Verna Drake

Verna is the owner of a successful childcare center in westby. Her approach is very hands-on, and she frequently works in the classroom at her center to directly model quality teaching and care. Her commitment to children is direct and genuine.

One of Verna's greatest contributions has been to mentor others in her region. Verna understands that good leaders make for good programs for children. She enthusiastically shares her wealth of knowledge and has helped many other directors in her area "bring it up a notch." She is the force behind many training events for childcare professionals and she challenges others to set high goals and standards.

Jim Ryan

Jim Ryan did many things for children during his too brief life. He worked as a social worker for at risk children, and established the state's first medical evacuation program, Flight for Life." In addition, Jim devoted time to the Early Learning Coalition and the Milwaukee Child Care Alliance.

Jim served as president of Penfield Children's Center for 11 years. Their mission statement is to "help infants and young children with and without disabilities reach their full potential through education, therapy services, and family programs." Jim's work at Penfield was consistently of the highest standard, and Jim's passing in the fall of 2007 left a big hole to fill. A previous recipient of the Governor's lifetime achievement award, Jim Ryan was truly an incredible individual.