150th Eagle Tire Pros “Teacher of the Week” celebrates Ann Browning

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Three years ago, WLAF started its weekly Thursday teacher feature to celebrate the wonderful educators in our district, and Eagle Tire Pros has made it all possible. This week marks a milestone with our 150th feature! 

When I started this weekly dedication to area educators, I simply picked my own favorite teacher Campbell County High School’s Ann Browning to kick off the project. She was instrumental in my life and helping me to realize my potential. Because of Mrs. Browning, I not only graduated, but went on to college, when by all rights, she probably should have just sent me to the principal’s office. 

That’s the kind of difference an educator can make in a student’s life. Ann Browning was the teacher that believed in me, when I didn’t believe in myself. 

Apparently, she’s that teacher for many students because over the past three years, Ann Browning has recieved over 10 additional teacher of the week nominations. Which is why, to commemorate my 150th teacher feature,  Mrs. Ann Browning is once again being recognized for the amazing teacher that she is. 

So without further ado, here’s to you Mrs. Browning, your students love you more than you know! 

Browning currently teaches Advanced Placement U.S. History at CCHS and serves as the Instructional Coach there as well. 

In her role as Instructional Coach, she supports classroom teachers, and serves as the Advanced Placement (AP) Liaison between CCHS and the Niswonger Foundation, which is the foundation through which CCHS recently began offering online Advanced Placement classes.

This year marks her 25th year in education! Prior to becoming a teacher, she worked as an Administrative Assistant and Marketing Coordinator for Getty Petroleum, a Zone Administrator for Moore’s Foods, Inc., and the Office Manager/Title Clerk at Rose Motors, all in Roanoke Virginia.

“I was fortunate enough to have many influential teachers throughout my public-school years- from Ms. Hannah Hicks in 3rd grade at Mountain View Elementary, to Mike Hodge and Elaine Colson at McMinn Central High School. All played a vital role in nurturing my love of learning,” Browning said.

She came to teaching later in life (age 37) after 15 years in the corporate realm. 

 In 1993, her parents encouraged her to return to school and pursue whatever her “heart desired.” 

In 1994 she and her daughter moved back to Tennessee and Browning began her “second attempt at college.”

“I was a single parent with a child entering elementary school and it was a bit scary, but with lots of support from family and friends, I took the plunge,” Browning said.

While enrolled at Cleveland State Community College as a Nuclear Medicine candidate, she instead found her love of history. 

“Drs Spencer Culbreth and Jerome Taylor were dynamic teachers who sparked my interest in becoming a history teacher. I transferred to Tennessee Wesleyan College, majored in History, and was mentored by Drs David Duncan and Durwood Dunn for the next three years. I received my B.S. in History from TWC in 1998, married Ray Browning, and moved to LaFollette!” Browning said.

Five years into her teaching career, she added a master’s degree from Lincoln Memorial University.  Browning said continuing her education changed her life in “so many positive ways!”

Over the past 25 years, she has taught at both LaFollette Middle School and Jacksboro Middle School and is on her second “tour of duty” at CCHS.

“I have been here now for 13 consecutive years. I have taught science, math, geography, world history, US history, English, ACT Prep…literally almost everything! However, teaching APUSH was the dream and I’m thrilled that I have the opportunity to continue that at CCHS,” Browing said.

According to Mrs. Browning, her favorite part of teaching is getting to work with young people. 

“Their energy, willingness to do hard things, and eagerness to share their ideas always inspires me. I learn something every year from my students and have made many life-long friendships with my former students,” Browning said, adding that she now worked with some of those former students.

Over the years she’s been “honored to work with many fabulous educators who have coached her and supported her own growth” as an educator. 

“Here at CCHS, I spent several years collaborating closely with Lisa Copeland and Monica Bane through the Literacy Design Collaborative. The three of us agree that this opportunity changed us all for the better, and I continue to rely on that training and the support of my colleagues every year. (Teachers are never through learning!) Current CCHS principal Ben Foust and Secondary Supervisor Dr. Jason Horne have also been instrumental in my professional growth. Both have given me the opportunity to dig into school data, learn to make meaning of it, and to take risks in growing the Advanced Placement program at CCHS,” Browing said. 

While teaching in Campbell County, Mrs. Browning has also coached various sports and has 20 years coaching experience, including volleyball, tennis, cross country and track.

“Coaching is really just an extension of teaching; I loved meeting kids “where they were” and watching them grow in their skills and confidence. I no longer coach any sports but am still a fan! I have developed a mild obsession with pickleball and love playing with my friends,” Browning said.

She and her husband Ray have been married for 25 years. They have two children – Denver and Sarah – and a spunky grandson, Ellis.

In her free time, she enjoys time with family and friends, going to concerts, camping, and boating. She loves being outside and snapping pictures of the natural wonders she encounters and is “still an avid reader” and generally has “two or three books going at a time.”

“I could have never asked for more from my second career. Teaching has been an absolute joy. It is not without struggles, but working with STUDENTS is what it’s all about. I have taught over 2,500 kids and have so many moving and memorable moments. What a blessing it’s been to teach in Campbell County,” Browning said. 

Every Thursday, WLAF’s Charlotte Underwood features the WLAF – Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week. That educator also receives a free oil change from Eagle Tire Pros. To nominate a teacher for teacher of the week honors, please send your nomination to  wlaf@1450wlaf.com (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/10/2023-6AM)