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From Lawrence University
Established in 1985, the teaching award annually honors Wisconsin secondary school teachers for education excellence. Recipients are nominated by Lawrence seniors and are selected on their abilities to communicate effectively, create a sense of excitement in the classroom, motivate their students to pursue academic excellence while showing a genuine concern for them in, as well as outside, the classroom. Lawrence University is located in Appleton. A Pittsville native, Brownell returned to her hometown after earning a degree in mathematics from UW-Stevens Point. She joined the Pittsville High School faculty in 1976 and during her 30-year career, Brownell has taught virtually every math course offered, including algebra, geometry and calculus. She also has served as the coach of the school’s math team during most of her tenure. Under her direction, Pittsville has been a consistent top-five finisher in the annual Central Wisconsin Math League Competition, including a string of nine consecutive first-place finishes in the 1980s and 1990s. Lawrence senior Amalia Wegner, a 2002 Pittsville High School graduate, cited Brownell’s unflinching determination among the reasons she was a special teacher. “Ms. Brownell has never given up on a student,” Wegner said in nominating her for the award. “She believes in every one of her students. In turn, her students try their best because they know someone is trying to help them succeed.” Wegner recalled Brownell spending her lunch hour, free period and after-school time to tutor a particular student who was struggling. “When no one else was there to help, Ms. Brownell was there. She is a great teacher who goes above and beyond her duty for her students.” Outside the classroom, Brownell has coached the girls’ volleyball team for 28 years, winning eight Marawood Conference titles and making four trips to the state tournament, including second-place finishes in 1986 and 1995. She also has served as Pittsville's track coach for the past 17 years. Posted June 14, 2006 |
