Gerasimo named Distinguished Educator by UW-Madison

Congratulations to our own Luisa Gerasimo, Senior Human Development and Relationships Educator in Dunn County, who has been named a Distinguished Educator by UW–Madison!

The distinguished title recognizes extensive experience, advanced skills and knowledge, reputation and remarkable contributions to the profession.

Luisa’s many noteworthy accomplishments include:

• Leading and co-leading the Dunn County Housing Action Team. This alliance came out of the Community Health Improvement Plan via the Dunn County Health Department in 2019. She has invested in this group because having a safe and affordable place to live is foundational to family wellness.

• Growing The Literacy Link program’s “Making Reading Memories” in the local jail to record numbers over the course of the last four years in partnership with the Dunn County Jail Program Director, Heather Pyka.

• Consistently contributing to multiple state teams and marketing classes and resources to the region, resulting in local residents and service providers regularly taking advantage of educational programming.

• Serving on boards like the United Way St. Croix & Red Cedar Valleys , where she helped create and launch a Day of Caring which now attracts hundreds of volunteers to serve local nonprofits, a value added of close to $17,000.

Luisa, who has been a part of Extension since 2018, finds motivation in her work by relating to the families she supports.

"My family of origin had its own set of stressors: we moved a LOT, we struggled financially, our parents got divorced, and we also had love and found joy” she said. “When I work with local families, it is easy to feel motivated to help. Today's families are more stressed than ever, and society needs to do a better job centering our policies and energy on what families need to thrive."

Congratulations, Luisa, on your well-deserved recognition as a distinguished HDR educator. Thank you for your efforts and energy in our institute, in Dunn County and across the state!

From the Extension Dunn County Facebook page.