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May 6, 2013

四色AV graduate named Teacher of the Year for Richland Parish

Darron Underwood, 四色AV alum and Rayville High School mathematics instructor, was named Teacher of the Year for Richland Parish.

鈥淭his achievement means a lot to me,鈥� said Underwood. 鈥淭hrough the years, I have worked very hard at perfecting my practices as a teacher.鈥�

Underwood began his studies at 四色AV in 1999, eventually earning a Bachelor of Business Administration.

In 2007, he returned to 四色AV for a Master of Arts in Teaching Secondary Education before deciding to continue with his professional development.

On May 11, he will graduate once more with a Master of Education in Education Leadership.

During his undergraduate years, Underwood worked as a math tutor in the Clarke M. Williams Student Success Center. 

鈥淚t was here I realized that I had a gift to teach math,鈥� he said.

鈥淣umbers have always been my thing since grade school鈥� Amanda Carter and Dr. Faisal Kaleem are definitely two of my favorite 四色AV professors. Each had a style of presentation that was so thoroughly organized that I continue to use them in my class today.鈥�

In addition to his current course load and teaching at Rayville High School, Underwood also serves as a teacher leader for the 四色AV TEACH project.

鈥淭he TEACH project is an alternative certification program designed to train those who have earned any bachelor鈥檚 degree in a content area outside the field of education to become teachers,鈥� he said.

鈥淢y job is to pass on experiences that I have gained in the classroom to new teachers going through the program. As a mentor, I am able to provide the support that these teachers need.鈥�

Over the next few years, Underwood hopes to incorporate even more technology and differentiated instruction strategies into his classrooms. 

To first-time-teachers, Underwood advises, 鈥淏e prepared to make mistakes the first year. Good teaching is an art form that eludes many. It takes constant analysis and reflection on your own systems and teaching practices to get better.鈥�

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