The University of Wyoming College of Education celebrated its centennial with a “Tribute to Teachers” on Tuesday night.
A year in the works with over 75 contributors, the “Tribute to Teachers” consisted of a fashion slideshow, a dance routine and a rendition of the “Happy Birthday Song.”
Terry Burant, an assistant professional lecturer in the College of Education, conceived the event. She was also behind the decision to showcase the change in education fashion over the last century. As fashion progressed into the 21st century, the focus shifted from professionalism in the workplace to making connections with students.
“Your clothing connects to your behavior, which connects to your students,” Burant said.
With the help of students RJ Lara and Curtis Harnish and narrators Judy Catchpole and Larry Stewart, the fashion slideshow displayed the progression of teacher’s fashion throughout the 20th century. A series of photographs showed how the long dresses of the 1920s gave way to less modest skirts in the mid-20th century.
After the slideshow a group of teachers showcased “fashion snapshots,” where three teachers entered the stage in their respective attire. Patrick Manyak taught in East Los Angeles, and showed off the Mexican poncho that he would occasionally wear to class to relate to his students. Nicholas Bellack used “crazy” socks to connect to third and fourth graders. Burant used a labcoat to create a professional environment for her 10th grade chemistry class.
The event kicked off with a performance of “Interjections” by the UW Lab School’s fourth and fifth grade “Lunchbox Choir.”
The Tribute to Teacher’s Dance Troupe’s performance was set to the tune of The Jackson Five’s “ABC,” and contained grade school students, College of Education students and faculty. The dance was titled, “A Tribute in Dance to the ABC Sweater, Denim Jumper, and Apple Sweater.”
To end the night’s celebration, Tim Rush, an emeritus professor in the College of Education, and Kaylie Vendala, an elementary education student, led the audience in the “Happy Birthday Song” to commemorate the college’s centennial.
