BROWNWOOD – September 7, 2022 – Howard Payne University’s School of Education and Office of Alumni Relations joined together to recognize the more than 160 HPU alumni who serve as teachers and administrators in the six school districts within Brown County. Each alumnus or alumna received an HPU alumni t-shirt, delivered to his or her school at the beginning of the school year, with a note of encouragement from the two departments. The goal of the initiative was to celebrate the impact the teachers and administrators have in the Brown County area.
“When we decided to give a gift to all of our alumni educators in Brown County, we had no idea we would have more than 160 alumni to recognize,” said Dr. Kalie Lowrie, assistant vice president for alumni relations. “We knew our alumni teachers have a big impact in the community, but realizing the actual number of individuals was truly remarkable. We wanted to take time to let them know we value and appreciate the impact they are making in our area. The last few years through the pandemic have been really difficult for many people, and we wanted these teachers and administrators to know we were praying for them and are here to support them in any way we can.”
Many of the teachers have been prepared through HPU’s School of Education and Educator Preparation Program. Educator Preparation at HPU strives to equip the next generation of educators to lead in effectively impacting diverse 21st century learners through innovative, research-based pedagogical practices. The program empowers future educators with the knowledge and skills to obtain teacher certification and be effective in inspiring and teaching student learners in Texas’ public schools and beyond.
“The response to this initiative has been phenomenal,” said Dr. Kylah Clark-Goff, dean of HPU’s School of Education and professor of education. “Educators who serve in various capacities within our local school districts have been so appreciative and excited to be acknowledged and valued for their incredible impact in Brown County schools and their role as part of the HPU alumni community. We are so proud of these outstanding educators and the impact they make here in Brown County.”
If you are an educator in Brown County and an alumnus or alumna of HPU but did not receive a t-shirt, or if you know someone who meets these criteria, please contact Dr. Clark-Goff at kclarkgoff@hputx.edu.
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Photo cutline: Early High School was one of several area schools visited by HPU representatives presenting shirts to the university’s alumni who serve there. Pictured from left to right are EHS’ Judith Ozuna, Jonathan Ceniceros, Amanda Elkins, Xavier Haines, Sidney Sisemore, Kelly Griffin, Tiffany Daughtery, Caitlyn Tidwell, Tasha Carter and Brittany Dunlap with the HPU School of Education’s Susan Sharp.