Valdosta State gold standard met by area principal from OCMS
VSU's GOLD Standard
VALDOSTA -- The VSU Alumni Association presented three alumni with the Graduate of the Last Decade Award (GOLD) -- an honor bestowed upon graduates who excel within 10 years of graduation.
Philip Brown, Kenneth Grant and Steve Pugh were recognized amid the record crowd of 4,616 Blazer fans during halftime of the men’s basketball game against West Georgia Saturday, Feb. 27, at the P.E. Complex.
Meet VSU’s Gold standard!
Philip Brown, ’03, ’05 and ’06
Philip Brown decided long ago that he would not stand on the sidelines of life, but be a player -- battling for positive change. The principal of Oconee County Middle School in Watkinsville, Ga., is passionately committed to serving the 800 students on his campus as well as the educational interests of the state.
“As a principal, I view the chance to work with kids as one of life’s greatest opportunities, but with opportunity in life, comes great responsibility,” said Brown, who graduated from VSU with degrees in education, instructional technology and educational leadership. “Valdosta State helped provide me with the knowledge and skills to take on this challenging responsibility. Without the guidance from great professors and coaches, my opportunity for success would have been limited.”
Brown, who is pursing a doctorate in Middle School Education through the University of Georgia, has presented at more than 20 educational association conferences and compiled more than 10 publications as book chapters or journal articles. His honors -- including the Most Outstanding Education Specialist Student at Valdosta State -- are as long as the list of area schools he has influenced with his positive management style.
He is married to fellow VSU graduate, Katherine (Backes) Brown, ’05, a teacher at J.J. Harris Elementary School in Clarke County. Katherine is finishing her doctorate in gifted and creative education at the University of Georgia.
How did VSU prepare you for what you are doing today?
“My time at VSU was spent learning from mentors like Dr. Barbara Stanley, who constantly counseled me on different aspects of teaching and also motivated me with career advice and suggestions. Also during my time as an undergraduate student at VSU, I worked with the men’s basketball program as a student assistant coach. This coaching opportunity provided me with a chance to learn from two outstanding coaches and leaders, Jim Yarbrough and Todd Sheppard. Their knowledge of coaching and motivating their players showed me the importance of always understanding and supporting my students, parents and teachers. These are just three of the Valdosta State University mentors who helped me along the way, but their expertise and advice has resonated through each of my experiences in the field of education.”
VALDOSTA -- The VSU Alumni Association presented three alumni with the Graduate of the Last Decade Award (GOLD) -- an honor bestowed upon graduates who excel within 10 years of graduation.
Philip Brown, Kenneth Grant and Steve Pugh were recognized amid the record crowd of 4,616 Blazer fans during halftime of the men’s basketball game against West Georgia Saturday, Feb. 27, at the P.E. Complex.
Meet VSU’s Gold standard!
Philip Brown, ’03, ’05 and ’06
Philip Brown decided long ago that he would not stand on the sidelines of life, but be a player -- battling for positive change. The principal of Oconee County Middle School in Watkinsville, Ga., is passionately committed to serving the 800 students on his campus as well as the educational interests of the state.
“As a principal, I view the chance to work with kids as one of life’s greatest opportunities, but with opportunity in life, comes great responsibility,” said Brown, who graduated from VSU with degrees in education, instructional technology and educational leadership. “Valdosta State helped provide me with the knowledge and skills to take on this challenging responsibility. Without the guidance from great professors and coaches, my opportunity for success would have been limited.”
Brown, who is pursing a doctorate in Middle School Education through the University of Georgia, has presented at more than 20 educational association conferences and compiled more than 10 publications as book chapters or journal articles. His honors -- including the Most Outstanding Education Specialist Student at Valdosta State -- are as long as the list of area schools he has influenced with his positive management style.
He is married to fellow VSU graduate, Katherine (Backes) Brown, ’05, a teacher at J.J. Harris Elementary School in Clarke County. Katherine is finishing her doctorate in gifted and creative education at the University of Georgia.
How did VSU prepare you for what you are doing today?
“My time at VSU was spent learning from mentors like Dr. Barbara Stanley, who constantly counseled me on different aspects of teaching and also motivated me with career advice and suggestions. Also during my time as an undergraduate student at VSU, I worked with the men’s basketball program as a student assistant coach. This coaching opportunity provided me with a chance to learn from two outstanding coaches and leaders, Jim Yarbrough and Todd Sheppard. Their knowledge of coaching and motivating their players showed me the importance of always understanding and supporting my students, parents and teachers. These are just three of the Valdosta State University mentors who helped me along the way, but their expertise and advice has resonated through each of my experiences in the field of education.”
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