By: Don Meador
Eva Brown---a first-year teacher at the James E. Bazzell Middle School (JEBMS)---was recently recognized by the Green River Regional Education Cooperative (GRREC) as its New Teacher of the Year (Alternate Route to Teacher Certification).
The first year eighth grade science teacher is no stranger to education, having grown up in a family of educators. However, teaching was not her first choice for a career.
“I became a teacher for a few reasons---my family, my desire to work with children, and my love for science,” Brown said. “I originally began college with the intention of attending some sort of graduate school to eventually work in healthcare. I realized very quickly that healthcare wasn’t where I was meant to be. I didn’t feel passionate about what I was working towards and I knew I needed to make a change. My family members, on both sides, are mostly educators. Both of my parents, my aunts and uncles, several cousins, and my mother and sister in law are all teachers or work in education. I decided to work as a long-term substitute for a semester to see if it was a good fit, and I knew very quickly that I had found where I needed to be. I’m so thankful every day that I decided to switch paths, and there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not grateful to be able to work with children, spark their scientific curiosity, and work with others who share the same passion.”
Asked about her first year in her own classroom, Brown is quick to point out that her experience at JEBMS has been a learning process each day.
“My first year of teaching has been the most challenging and yet rewarding experience of my life,” Brown explained. “I feel that I have grown so much, not just as an educator, but as an individual. I have gained so much knowledge and confidence in my abilities throughout the year. I attribute this to the wonderful team around my content partner, my team, my administrators, and me. I have been given so many opportunities to improve my skills and step out of my comfort zone.”
Brown mentions one word when it comes to her memories of her first year.
“If there is anything I will take away from this year, it is gratitude,” Brown adds. “I am so grateful that I am able to work for Allen County Schools, and James E. Bazzell Middle School. I am so grateful that I have wonderful administrators who have given me so many opportunities to expand my knowledge. I am so grateful that I was paired with my mentor Mrs. Shelby Fisher who has provided me with so much guidance throughout my first year. Finally, I am so grateful for my amazing content partner, Mr. Matt Jones. I feel very fortunate that I have had the opportunity to work alongside someone who is so supportive and who shares the same passion as me for trying new things and making learning exciting.”
Brown attended high school at Pulaski County High School in Somerset prior to attending college at the University of the Cumberlands. Brown earned her Bachelor’s in Molecular Biology and is currently working towards her Masters in Teaching high school and middle school science.
GRREC is “a premier professional service organization committed to promoting equitable access and opportunity for all learners while empowering our shareholders to build sustainable educational systems that innovate, inspire, and influence.” According to their website, GRREC serves one university, 48 school districts, 361 schools in the region, 169,681 students, and 10,811 classroom teachers.