2001 Tennessee Teacher of the Year
Ms. Lowery is a Principal at Michigan Avenue Elementary School in Cleveland, Tennessee. She has been teaching for seventeen years and has taught all subjects to her grades four to six students.

What are your beliefs about teaching?
"What is the difference between ordinary and extraordinary? The 'extra!' My personal feelings and beliefs as an educator are based on being the 'extra' for my students, colleagues and my community."

How are your beliefs incorporated in your teaching style?
"I believe that students must first want to learn in order to be a successful learner. Therefore, I design my classroom lessons for meaning. Learning activities and opportunities are not wasted in my classroom. They always have purpose. While academics are stressed, life-related lessons are useful as well. It is not our circumstances that shape us, rather how we deal with those circumstances."

What is your greatest teaching accomplishment?
"My greatest contribution thus far to education is the implementation of an annual dinner theater production at my school. My program has been emulated by other schools in my system and community with great success. Therefore, what was once my dream is now a reality throughout the community for hundreds of students."

What's the most critical issue facing educators today and what do you think can be done to resolve this issue?
"Limited funding for the arts and cultural enrichment activities at the elementary level. Elementary schools need full time drama, art and music teachers. Increasing funds, developing an appreciation and promoting awareness of the benefits of arts education will resolve this problematic issue. Every student should have their turn to shine!"

Inspirational thought:
"Mentoring, high standards and enthusiasm are the keys to strengthening and improving the teaching profession."