The "Character" in Her Career

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Sharon Brown '83

I do what I do because I love kids and English,” said Sharon Brown, a recipient of the Sam Houston State University College of Education’s 2010 Distinguished Secondary Teacher Award.

Brown graduated from SHSU in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in business and earned her English teacher certification in 1985.

With 19 years of experience, Brown has learned the tricks of the teaching trade, yet has also developed a heart for each of the students within her classes. Wherever Brown chooses to apply her talents, a transformation occurs within the lives and progress of the students in her classroom.

“My love for writing began in high school and continued under the supervision of Dr. Murray of the English department,” Brown said.

Brown began her career teaching at Shepherd High School and Huntsville High and Intermediate schools before moving to New Waverly High School, where she currently teaches English.

“As a teacher, my profession is serving,” she said. “I do what is needed when it is needed and try not to sit back and wait on someone else to take action.”

Though she desires to someday instruct freshman English courses at Sam Houston, she said she has found that the effort put into receiving a higher education deprives her current students of her full attention.

“Man, she just won’t quit,” said one of Brown’s former students. “But you know what? Because of her, I won’t quit. I haven’t become a statistic. I will succeed because she cares about me. Just like she cares about all of her other students. She is like a mom to me.”

“I am successful because I can get students to give me their best,” Brown said. “I truly believe this is because I work with students. I may be the teacher, but I am also a character for a story. I am the corrector of their grammar. I teach respect, give respect, and demand respect. I care when a child doesn’t believe anyone cares. As a result, my students give me their best. They deserve this honor for making me look good.”

Four educators, as well as an organization have been named by Sam Houston State University’s College of Education as Distinguished Educators of the Year.

The recipients, Norma Darlene Sentesi, distinguished elementary teacher; Sharon Brown, distinguished secondary teacher; Rebecca Page, distinguished administrator; Kimberly Falkenbury, distinguished support professional; and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, friend of education, were honored during the sixth annual dinner and awards ceremony on March 6.

“In a meeting with other teachers, I realized how honored I am to receive the award,” Brown said. “Every single person in the room deserved to be recognized as well. It is a humbling experience.”