D124's Claudia Parker Receives INSPRA Award of Excellence

Dist. 124 Communications Director Claudia Parker

EVERGREEN PARK, IL -- Since the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year, Claudia Parker, the communications director for Evergreen Park School Dist. 124 has done a wonderful job keeping Patch and other community press informed about all the great things happening in D124.

Parker recently learned that she was named the recipient of the 2016 Award of Excellence by the Illinois Chapter of the National School Public Relations Association (INSPRA), the professional organization for school district public relations and communications directors.

INSPRA's Distinguished Service Awards program honors individuals and groups who "have consistently gone above and beyond on behalf of their schools" and whose efforts "have enhanced education and conveyed its importance to the community at large."

District 124 Superintendent, Dr. Robert Machak, said he is thrilled to share this news with the community.

“The inspirational and uplifting work that Claudia has done on our behalf these past several months certainly exceeds the award criteria,” he said. “Claudia has been dedicated to school district 124 with an infectious enthusiasm.”Her efforts to share news about the great things happening in the classrooms around our District, both electronically and in print, make her a deserving recipient of this prestigious statewide award.”

D124 Board President Kimberly Leonard called Parker a deserving recipient of the award.

“Claudia truly has a gift at capturing the spirit of our great staff, students, parents, and community,” Leonard said. “I am glad she won an award recognizing her skills and talent. The future only holds great things for her and I am glad she is a part of the D124 family.”

Parker was both surprised and humbled by the acknowledgement.

“I'm very humbled by all the kind words as well as INSPRA’s recognition. I'm grateful that Dr. Machak and the board of education saw fit to bring me into this position,” Parker said. “It's been my pleasure serving District 124 this year and I'm looking forward to many more. I work with a large group of kind, compassionate, educators. I see how hard everyone around me works. I’m just modeling their work ethic.”

Parker and her family have been invited to the INSPRA award ceremony on Thursday, May 12 at the Bolingbrook Golf Club where she will officially receive her award.