Debranya Brower, Behavior Intervention and Community Engagement Specialist at South Elementary School, was named Person County Schools’ Teacher of the Year on Friday, September 2, 2022.
Brower follows Tracey Vaughan, math teacher at Southern Middle School, in receiving this prestigious honor. Debranya has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition to teaching, Ms. Brower serves on the Leadership Team and is a Learning-Focused Trainer. She is also a leader with the Big Homie, Little Homie Mentoring Program. Debranya has 8 years of teaching experience, having been a third-grade teacher and most recently a fourth-grade teacher. This August she started in a new position as the Behavior Intervention and Community Engagement Specialist, also at South Elementary School.
Debranya shared, “It is with an overwhelmingly grateful heart to be named the Person County Schools Teacher of the Year! I am so thankful for PCS and all the love and support they have given me throughout the years. I have the absolute best colleagues in the world who have poured into me and shaped me into the educator I am today. My students, both past and present, I thank them for pushing me to do and be better every day. Everything is truly better in Person! Thank you so much for this incredible honor!”
Mr. Patrick Holmes, former principal of South Elementary School, stated, “I was so excited to learn that Ms. Brower has been selected as the Person County Schools’ Teacher of the Year. When I interviewed Ms. Brower years ago, I knew at that time that she had the potential for amazing success as a teacher. She has since surpassed all expectations and has become one of the most effective and dedicated teachers that I know. To me, it is no surprise that she has earned this much-deserved honor.”
Mrs. Whitney Sharlow, current principal at South Elementary shared, “I've only known Ms. Brower a short time, but I can tell you without a doubt that she is one of the absolute best teachers I've ever had the pleasure of working with. She's kind but sets boundaries, strong but compassionate, and without a doubt always does what is best for students. She has a listening ear and gives genuine feedback. She is an asset to my team and very deserving of the title of Teacher of the Year for Person County Schools.”
School-level winners were nominated by their peers and had to meet the criteria set forth according to state guidelines. Also nominated were: Elizabeth Cox at Helena Elementary School, Allison Long at Oak Lane Elementary School, Earl Harrelson formerly at North Elementary School, Heather Rogers at North End Elementary School, Lisa Davis formerly at Stories Creek Elementary School, Jennifer Davis at Woodland Elementary School, Kayla Gatewood at Northern Middle School, Laura Jennings at Southern Middle School, Laura Freeman at Person High School, Jordan Vaughan at Person County Schools Virtual Academy, and Steve Dunevant at Person Early College for Innovation and Leadership.
