Enloe algebra teacher is Wake County Teacher of the Year

Lauren Brooks, who will represent Wake County in the statewide Teacher of the Year competition, was chosen among 12 finalists for the award.

Superintendent Tony Tata said Brooks, who has taught at Enloe for four years, connects with her students and is passionate about teaching.

"We know that algebra can introduce some challenging new concepts to students, and Ms. Brooks has developed unique ways to work with students to ensure they all reach a point of understanding," Tata said.

Brooks said her reason for teaching is simple: she loves to watch students learn.

"I love having that lightbulb moment where they just get it," she said. "It just opens a whole new world of understanding for them that they never had before."

Brooks said she is proud to be known as an "activity teacher" who uses a wide variety of discovery learning techniques to help students achieve

"I sang, danced, chanted, took field trips and overused technology until I had the students' attention," she said. "No one said that learning math had to be boring or hard."

She was given a $1,000 prize and $2,500 toward participation in the Center for International Understanding's June 2013 Study Program to India, among other gifts, a school system spokeswoman said. 

The other finalists were: