Michael LoweryWhen Michael Lowery graduated from USI in 2002 with a degree in teacher education, he discovered Indiana has a shortage of open teaching positions and an abundance of teachers hoping to secure one. He soon learned there were many states with a high demand for teachers and secured his first teaching position in California. During the past 18 years, he has taught in California, Arizona, South Carolina, and Indiana.
Through his years of teaching and mentoring, Lowery says that the Teacher Education Department, otherwise known as TED, at USI prepared him well to be the best teacher he could be. As he has traveled to different schools to teach, he felt well prepared in any district.
“The USI program is a high-quality teaching program,” says Lowery, “the professors teach classroom management in a unique way through articulate thoughtful lesson plans. For all the current TED students, the thought process behind the multi-page lesson plans is useful- there is a purpose, it teaches you to critically think.”
He believes that leaving Indiana helped him be a better teacher and encourages new TED graduates to go outside of their comfort zone. “As we travel and teach in new locations, we gain a better appreciation for others,” he says. “Going and teaching elsewhere will broaden your knowledge, when you stay in Evansville, all you will know is Evansville. As educators, we want to understand and teach culture and diversity, but we will not truly understand until we experience it. Teachers have endless possibilities, there are schools in all corners and counties in the U.S. We are free to teach anywhere!”
When Lowery was asked to provide motivation to current teacher education students he said, “If [United States] do not have an educated population we won’t thrive [as a nation]. Teachers are a cornerstone to society; we are essential and important. While many teachers are not monetarily rich, we are rich in memories and love, and we will forever make a difference in the world.”
Lowery is currently beginning his position as district administrator in the Camp Verde School District in Camp Verde, Arizona. The state has more than 500 open teaching positions with 12 in his school district. . He enjoys working in the Camp Verde school district, saying it has an excellent administration in an inclusive district that seek to “facilitate, not dictate.” If you are a teacher education student or graduate who wants more information on the openings at Camp Verde Schools, USI Alumni Michael Lowery can be contacted at mlowery@campverdeschools.org.