Senate Concurrent Resolution 539

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING COVINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TEACHER OF THE YEAR DEBBIE LOWERY.

WHEREAS, the Covington County School District has announced that Debbie Lowery is the 2002-2003 District Teacher of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Debbie is an instructor of Special Populations at the county's Vo-Tech complex, providing academic assistance to students in math. In addition, she tutors after-school hours, working with a First Families grant to help students hone math skills; and

WHEREAS, a 31-year teaching veteran, this math instructor actually had a difficult time deciding which discipline was meant for her. After all, she loved to read and fully expected to gravitate toward English and Literature. She even surprised herself when she went the mathematics route; and

WHEREAS, during Debbie's first year of teaching in 1972, it didn't take her long to realize the best way to avoid discipline problems was to have a good lesson; part of the good lesson was the result of the students completing their homework; and

WHEREAS, modeling her love of math by her enthusiastic teaching, this energetic educator continues to make demands on her students in such a way to generate sparks of discovery. Her classroom is an active learning environment where students learn by doing and experiencing math. The students are, of course, learning concepts, not to mention such fundamental life skills as teamwork, responsibility, on-the-job behavior and, most important of all, self-esteem; and

WHEREAS, Debbie Lowery received her Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from William Carey College in 1972 and her Masters of Education in mathematics/education in 1977 from William Carey. Since then, accolades have followed her consistently, having been named Star Teacher three times during her 16-year tenure at Collins High School, as well as being named Collins High School Teacher of the Year twice and Covington County Teacher of the Year, the first time in 1989; and

WHEREAS, she has made significant contributions to the professional development of education, including conducting a workshop on "Use of the Computer in the Mathematics Classroom" for teachers in both Covington and Smith Counties, presenting to student teachers at University of Southern Mississippi, serving on a panel of women teachers promoting secondary education to Jones Junior College students and chairing the Curriculum Committees for Covington County, thereby establishing the district curriculum for all secondary math teachers. More recently, Debbie joined two USM professors in presenting a regional workshop on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; and

WHEREAS, above the numerous awards she has received, she feels as if she would be remiss not to specify that her most prized accomplishment is to have the respect and appreciation of her present and former students; and

WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we recognize this dedicated educator who has brought honor to her school, her community and to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Covington County School District Teacher of the Year, Debbie Lowery, and wish her success in her future professional endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be presented to Debbie Lowery and the Covington County Superintendent of Education and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.