By MONIQUE ROTH
L’Observateur

RESERVE – The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School System recently announced An  gela Davis, Brandy Vaughn and Yong Suk Lowry as 2013-14 District Teachers of the Year.

“These teachers are worth their weight in gold. No matter what changes come or what standards are being taught, a great teacher is the answer,” said Superintendent Kevin George. “All research points toward the teacher being the most influential factor in a child’s success. Each of these teachers embodies greatness, and we are thankful for having them in our system.”

Angela Davis of Gary ville/Mt. Airy Math and Science Magnet School was named teacher of the year at the elementary school level.

Davis, a third-grade teacher, has been teaching at the school for the past two years.

Davis received her bachelor of science in elementary education from Southern Uni versity in Baton Rouge and is a resident of Ascension Parish, where she lives with her husband and son.

“I am very proud to represent my school and district as teacher of the year for elementary education,” Davis said.

Brandy Vaughn of Emily C. Watkins Elementary School was named teacher of the year at the middle school level.

Vaughn teaches seventh-grade and eighth-grade social studies, United States history and Louisiana history.

Vaughn began her career with the district in January 2008 as a substitute teacher before joining the district full time for the 2008-09 school year as a middle school social studies teacher.

Vaughn said she is dedicated to excellence in her classroom because she believes history can be an im   portant learning tool for her students.

“It is my firm belief that if students are to be prepared for success in the future, then it is my duty to teach them how to learn from the past,” Vaughn said.

Yong Suk Lowery of East St. John High School was named teacher of the year at the high school level.

Lowery, the head of the mathematics department at ESJHS, has been teaching math for 16 years. She currently teaches pre-calculus, trigonometry, calculus and AP calculus. Lowery was instrumental in implementing a dual enrollment program at ESJHS using Math XL, an online homework, tutorial and assessment program and her pre-calculus dual enrollment class has consistently been among the top average classes for the program.

For her work, the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Ed    u cators named Lowery its 2013 State High School Teacher of the Year. She was also honored this year by Nicholls State University as a teacher who has “Made a Difference.” Teachers selected for the honor are nominated by former students who are now attending the university.

Davis, Vaughn and Lowery are now eligible for the State Teacher of the Year competition. The State Teachers of the Year will be an  nounced on July 12 at the Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium in Baton Rouge.