Brody Bluemel, director of SIU Carbondale’s School of Languages and Linguistics, was recently selected as 2026 Apple Distinguished Educator. (Photo by Russell Bailey)
January 21, 2026
SIU professor chosen as a 2026 Apple Distinguished Educator
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Brody Bluemel, a professor and director of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s School of Languages and Linguistics, is gaining international recognition for using the intersection of language and technology in helping students.
Bluemel’s continuing work led to his selection as one of 11 professors in the U.S. to be named a 2026 Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE), recognized for transforming teaching and learning with Apple technology. For 2026, Bluemel is among 400 ADEs worldwide, including 99 from the United States, most of whom teach kindergarten through high school.
“I am incredibly honored to join this elite group of educators,” said Bluemel, who came to SIU Carbondale in August from Delaware State University.
With an academic background in applied linguistics and language education, Bluemel said he has spent his career “exploring the intersection of language, culture and technology.”
“Being selected as an ADE is a validation of my commitment to using technology not just for its own sake, but as a bridge to authentic communication and cultural understanding,” he said. “It is a responsibility I take seriously, especially as I transition into my role at SIU.”
Vast experience with Apple
Bluemel has worked with the Apple Education team, has served as an Apple teacher, learning coach and community education ambassador, and led Delaware State University in attaining Apple Distinguished School status. His goal is to “help others discover how technology can be an ally in creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences.” Whether it’s Chinese, German, international studies or linguistics, technology “has significantly enhanced the student learning experience,” he said.
This includes active learning and creativity, where Bluemel uses tools such as Freeform for real-time collaboration and Clips for student-led storytelling.
“These tools move students from being passive receivers of information to active creators who demonstrate their mastery in multimodal ways,” he said. “All student work in my classes is focused on creating and providing students with tech tools that can enhance their learning and ability to create.”
Bluemel is developing language learning experiences using Apple Vision Pro, which will allow students to experience “digital cultural immersion” and interact with their target language in ways previously impossible in a traditional classroom. Students in his Chinese class later this spring will experience the Beijing Opera through an Apple Vision Pro immersive experience, he said.
An “immediate goal” is collaborating with Apple’s Community Education Initiative to expand and provide support for what Bluemel’s colleagues “are already doing in the Center for English as a Second Language – connecting with community partners to provide experiential learning opportunities for our students and the community, that are enhanced by technology.”
Limits in technology education
Bluemel notes that he is a “techie” who loves to “experiment, develop and adapt new digital tools and resources.” However, it is only a tool, he said.
“Technology should never replace the human element of education. Rather, it should be used to bolster individual creativity and foster deeper relationships,” he said. “There is nothing worse than using technology just for the sake of using technology. My goal at SIU is to intentionally adopt technology to help our students and faculty ‘come alive’ through their creative and scholarly work.”
Excited by opportunities at SIU
Bluemel noted he was happy at his prior institution but the “opportunity at SIU was something that really excited me.”
“My colleagues in the School of Languages and Linguistics here at SIU are doing a lot of innovative work and have a lot of passion for what they do,” he said. “Being able to work with such great people is invigorating and challenges me to be better. SIU, and in particular the School of Languages and Linguistics, feels like a place where innovation is not just welcomed but expected.”