For John and Bill Watzke, impacting others through education runs in the family. John said his parents, who both worked in medicine, were “consummate teachers.”
“They were always encouraging my brothers and sisters to follow our interests and dreams, offering advice, and supporting new learning opportunities,” John said.
Those small lessons at home grew into careers for both brothers. Now John (BA ‘90/MA ‘94/PhD ’00) is the new dean of the College of Education and Public Service at Saint Louis University, while Bill (BS ’89) is an award-winning teacher in the Phoenix Independent Study Program, a second-chance high school system in California.
Students referred to Bill’s school have struggled in a traditional high school setting and often are facing health issues, financial hardships, or are teen parents. They do most of their work from home and attend weekly appointments.
“With this teaching position, I am the students’ teacher, counselor, principal, friend, and parent to some degree,” he said. “I’m afforded the chance to make an immediate impact on students’ lives.”
Kari Koskinen, Bill’s department chair, said she has noticed his impact first hand.
“Of all of our staff members, Bill goes absolutely the extra mile to help these struggling kids,” Koskinen said. “He comes in on the weekends and he stays until 5 or 6 at night and tutors kids. He’s an amazing help for these kids who often don’t have a lot of adult support in their lives. He provides an incredible foundation for them.”
Bill, who has been with the independent study program for five years and spent the previous 11 years as a high school science teacher, has been recognized by his peers for his work. In 2007, he earned the Golden Apple Award in Alternative Education. Recipients of that award are selected by district faculty.
Koskinen said he has also been nominated more than once for the Teacher of the Year Award but has declined the nomination.
“He’s really humble,” she said.
Bill said the awards aren’t what matter to him in education—it’s the little things that add up to something big.
“In everyday teaching there are small victories and successes that can never be measured with data,” he said. “From my perspective, those are the most important and valuable.”
Saint Louis University Assistant Provost Steve Sanchez said John is a special dean at his university because he “knows a lot about a lot.”
“He brings a diverse background to his position, one that I think a lot of faculty members typically don’t have. He’s taught in the schools, he’s held a variety of positions. He’s a scholar of foreign languages,” Sanchez said, adding that John also “sets the standard” in his college for scholarly research and public service, especially through his support of charter schools in Saint Louis.
“He’s not just living within the walls of the institution,” Sanchez said. “He’s helping live our institutional mission, which is direct contribution to the community.”
John was a Russian Studies major as an undergraduate at The University of Iowa. Prior to taking over as dean in Saint Louis this year, he held several positions in the Institute for Educational Initiatives at the University of Notre Dame. Much of his research focuses on improving teaching in urban schools.
He said his new leadership position allows him multiple avenues for impacting his field and his community.
“The position of dean affords the opportunity to take a broader look at problems and to work with the many people who can have an impact,” he said. “One of my college’s core charges is to prepare professionals. Everything I do, in a way, contributes to this mission.”
The twins, who have been connected to The University of Iowa in numerous ways dating all the way back to attending UI preschool, say they are grateful to the many professors who helped guide them in their education and inspire their careers.
“We bleed black and gold,” John said.
