WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – Jodi Resch Brownell is recognized as an outstanding educator who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning experiences and opportunities for students in global education.

With three decades of experience as a teacher, Jodi Resch Brownell, a Spanish teacher at Crandon High School, has been named the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction’s 2023-24 Global Educator of the Year.

Brownell has instilled a love of learning about other cultures and the world with her students. She helped bring the Global Scholars Program to Crandon High School, through which students learn about the world, explore diverse perspectives, engage in intercultural communication, and collaborate to address global issues. Global Scholars in Crandon have embraced this learning through student-led book and film clubs focused on world issues.

“Ms. Resch Brownell exemplifies what it means to be a quality educator and a positive influence in the lives of not only her students, but those around her,” State Superintendent Dr. Jill Underly said. “From helping her students learn about the world and diverse experiences in unique ways, to going out of her way to create opportunities for colleagues and the surrounding community to grow as individuals, Ms. Resch Brownell is so deserving of this honor. I congratulate her on being named the Global Educator of the Year.”

In addition to helping students understand other cultures and languages through field trips and virtual exchange, Resch Brownell created a Global Learning Guide for staff, and sustains lifelong learning through travel and professional development.

She also welcomes Indigenous leaders into the school to share their culture with the school community and inspires students to continue global learning into college.

As this year’s Global Educator of the Year, Resch Brownell will receive a Council on International Educational Exchange scholarship to represent Wisconsin on a visit to a site.