Posa excellent all-arounder

Trine student is education and wrestling standout

Trine University senior mathematics education major Louis Posa has earned a recognition of excellence indication from Educational Testing Service for an extremely high score on Praxis II, a measure of general and subject-specific knowledge and teaching skills required of Indiana teacher candidates for licensure.

That surprises no one at the university, from Franks School of Education Dean Sue Van Wagner to Thunder wrestling coach Dan Callahan, who has seen the 184-pound weight class contender contribute consistently to the team’s No. 22 national ranking this year.

Teachers seeking licensure must complete Praxis I and II tests, but Trine’s National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Educators (NCATE)-accredited Franks School of Education requires Trine students to pass Praxis I before they enter the program, Van Wagner said.

But they still must pass Praxis II, and Posa’s score clearly indicates a remarkable student in an excellent program. “They only award the recognition of excellence designation to less than 1 percent of those who take the test worldwide,” Van Wagner said.

Posa immerses himself in Trine student life as well. In addition to his nearly undefeated status as a wrestler, he is a residence assistant and very well known across campus. “He’s a really unique young man. This couldn’t happen to a nicer person,” Van Wagner said. “It shows he not only knows his profession, but exhibits all the other qualities you want in a teacher for your child.”

Posa said his excellent high school teachers, especially in mathematics, inspired him to become a teacher himself. “I love working with people, especially young people. Math is something I’ve been able to do well, and working with students just makes it all come full circle.”

He is the son of Louis and Linda Posa of Tecumseh, Mich.