Elementary teacher credits UHCL profs for supporting her through academic journey
As a child, Anna Lowery always responded with “a teacher” when asked what she wanted to be when she grew up. Today, she is the one asking the question of a new generation of young students. Lowery teaches 5th- grade science, social studies, and phonics at Parr Elementary School in League City, Texas, where she has worked since 2014.
After a slight detour, Lowery earned her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies and M.S. in Multicultural Education from the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL). Although being a teacher was her childhood dream, education was not the first degree she pursued.
“I originally entered college as a business administration major but decided after two semesters that it wasn’t the path for me,” she said. “I really enjoyed working with kids and spending time with my younger cousins. In the spring of 2009, I switched majors and began taking child development courses at a local community college. I fell in love with the program and knew I had found my place.”
She later began working as a camp counselor and childcare employee at the YMCA in League City and Webster, where her “love for children and teaching intensified.”
As a San Jacinto College – Central student and a Raven, Lowery knew she wanted to further her education to become a teacher while staying close to home. She was familiar with UH-Clear Lake and its College of Education, so in 2011, a Raven became a Hawk; she became an official UHCL student that fall.
“I knew UHCL was a safe campus with a strong teacher education program,” she said. “I was impressed with the campus and loved the atmosphere and environment.”
She earned her bachelor’s degree in May of 2014. The same year, she reenrolled at UHCL as a graduate student and earned her master’s degree in May of 2017. She recalls both graduation days and the joy she felt at each ceremony.
“I knew UHCL was a safe campus with a strong teacher education program,” she said. “I was impressed with the campus and loved the atmosphere and environment.”
“Graduation day in 2014 was really exciting because I knew I was about to hopefully get a job as a teacher,” said Lowery. “I wasn’t employed just yet, but I was really excited to reach that milestone and finally enter the career I wanted. In 2017, I was teaching full-time, so it was a lot of relief and excitement because I knew I’d be able to put 100% toward my career. I am grateful for the knowledge and skills gained at UHCL, which have led to my career success.”
Lowery credits her professors for these skills and for being supportive and informative. She said the Methods course and Internship I and II programs were beneficial.
“Being in the classroom at various campuses, with many different students, allowed me to see different teaching styles, classroom management types, and what a real school day would look like,” said Lowery. “These courses were rigorous and had high expectations with a fair amount of work, but they helped me succeed as I transitioned to being a full-time teacher.”
Her position as a full-time teacher within Clear Creek Independent School District (CCISD) helped her receive “mini-grants” through the Clear Creek Education Foundation. These grants allowed her to purchase various items for her classroom at Parr Elementary School, including wobble stools, Legos, and character education books. She also received a Teacher Innovative Grant for $2,566, which she used to purchase non-fiction books in science and social studies.
Her dedication to her students, and her efforts to enhance their learning and that of other students within her school did not go unnoticed by her peers; in 2018, Parr Elementary School awarded Lowery as “Campus Teacher of the Year.”
To learn more about UHCL’s education department and degree programs, go to www.uhcl.edu/education/departments/.