Gateway Technical College Veterinary Technician instructor Denise Savel was named the recipient of the Margi Sirois Veterinary Technician Educator of the Year Award this year by the Association of Veterinary Technician Educators.

The AVTE awards this honor annually in recognition and in the legacy of Margi Sirois, a fierce advocate of advancing veterinary technology and veterinary technician educators. In addition to the honors and accreditations she gained in the field of veterinary medicine, Sirois was a past president of the AVTE and a published author.

“I have always liked to teach and learn. Even when I was in the clinical setting, I would do the same thing. I would try to help and mold someone so they could advance,” says Savel. “I love the fact that I can help our students – I truly enjoy that I’ve had a role in helping them to be what they wanted to be.”

Savel was nominated by her peers and students for this national award. The AVTE says the award goes to “credentialed technician educators who have demonstrated exceptional strength in representing veterinary technicians in the field of education and exemplify working towards advancing the field of veterinary technology.”

Savel began at Gateway as an adjunct instructor in 2018 and was hired as a full-time instructor later that year. She also was a student at Gateway for a short time in the Nursing program before she decided to teach.

Her experiences as a student and professional help to better connect her with students, she says.

“I did a lot in my career and just felt like I was at a point where I wanted to share my knowledge and expertise to help others,” says Savel. “I felt I could use my real-world experience to teach them.”

The award represents a full circle for Savel, who earned her Veterinary Technician associate degree at Madison Area Technical College in 2002, entered the career field and received the 2006 Wisconsin Certified Veterinary Technician award.

Savel continues to work part-time in the field as a Certified Veterinary Technician at a local urgent veterinary hospital.