About Us
Wisconsin Education Innovations has over two decades of experience in providing high quality, learner centered professional development. We offer programs and opportunities for educators, students, and parents from early childhood through high school.
Our mission is to develop the capacity of educators, students and parents to prepare the next generation of learners and leaders for the best possible life options and outcomes.
History of the Sally Ride Academy/Wisconsin Education Innovations
Wisconsin Education Innovations began as The Sally Ride Academy in 1995 with our first summer Academy. Nine workshops were offered to teachers in mathematics, science and technology for one graduate credit through U. W. Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Sally Ride Academy was a replication of the successful Cray Academy model (established in 1988) by Seymour Cray, inventor and businessman and Dr. Julie Stafford, educator. On August 7, 1995 one hundred and thirty two teachers participated in the first week long Sally Ride Academy.
The academy was named in honor of Sally Ride based on her contributions to education at all levels. From her books for children, to the promotion of middle school girls in science and to her position as a professor of physics, Sally Ride used her public access to advance education.
In 2009, the Sally Ride Academy was renamed Wisconsin Education Innovations per the request of Sally Ride. At that time she was starting her own Academy for middle school girls in Florida.
Over the past 25 years, the Sally Ride Academy/WEI grew to serve over nine hundred (900) teachers in multiple locations throughout the summer months. Teachers selected one, two or three graduate credits through Concordia University with additional classroom research and follow up sessions optional in the fall.
Former host school districts include West Allis-West Milwaukee, West Bend, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, Nicolet, Glendale-River Hills, Cedarburg, Cudahy, Messmer, Madison, Elmbrook, Verona, and Grand Avenue School in Milwaukee. Urban and suburban teachers attending the academies came from south central and southeastern Wisconsin from public, private, and parochial schools.
Over the last 25 years, the academy professional development offerings addressed a greater number of content areas. Teachers were introduced to recent research on how children learn, and the application of best practice. Teachers were taught by other experienced teachers and frequently learn information and strategies not offered in a regular graduate degree program.
WEI’s organizational structure is based on a partnership with Concordia University, Learning Exchange, Alverno College, Newline Technologies, and business and community leaders. A Board of Directors give direction and continual innovation to WEI.
Currently WEI offers programs during the school year including: virtual professional development, customized services, coaching/mentoring services, and family engagement activities.
The services we provide reflect best practice, researched based approaches and platforms, and the latest technology. The educators we support are provided with an array of opportunities for learning, practice, observation, feedback, coaching and modeling. This allows the schools and districts we partner with to personalize options to maximize crucial resources to achieve higher outcomes.