SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. (AP) _ A Sun Prairie reading specialist has been named Wisconsin's Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Sandra Kowalczyk of Marshall has taught for nine years at Patrick Marsh Middle School.

Superintendent Ted Culver says she's ``the total package of an excellent teacher'' who connects with and understands her students.

Eighth grader Monica Miggins says reading used to make her cry, but Kowalczyk made it fun.

Kowalczyk became a candidate earlier this year when she was named one of 100 Kohl Fellowship winners. State Superintendent Elizabeth Burmaster says she stood out from the crowd because she has visited 50 countries on academic missions.

Kowalczyk says she's overwhelmed by the latest honor.
``I don't know what I'll do for an encore,'' she said.