Prestigious Albert Award Received by Fifth Year English Language Arts Teacher

"When I discuss teaching with Maria Flick, I covet a spot in her class.  She is a remarkable teacher who not only teaches her students, but loves them as well."

"(Flick's) fingerprints appear just about anywhere something good is going on at Parkway South Middle."

"Moreover, Maria cares for the staff and is a constant boost to our morale"

These are just a few of the glowing comments written by fellow English-Language Arts teacher Nina Rygiol in her nomination letter for the Albert Award. Apparently, the Parkway Alumni Association, who awarded Maria Flick the Al Burr Albert Award, agreed with this commendation.

In 2004, a group from the first Parkway Hall of Fame class decided to honor Dr. Al Burr, a highly respected and distinguished retired educator and the legacy he created in the Parkway School District, by creating the Al Burr Educators Make-A-Difference Fund. Annually, the Parkway Alumni Association awards three Albert Awards--one each in the elementary, middle and high school levels from this Al Burr Fund. The award recognizes outstanding teachers who are in their first five years of teaching and show great potential as educators.  This is the second consecutive year a 5th year teacher at South Middle received the award. Mr. Darryl Diggs, Jr., now an administrator at Parkway South High, received this award last year.

Flick left a lucrative sales position to become a teacher. "My daughter struggled with reading and comprehension in school. I would often think, 'It would be so much more fun if the teachers would fill-in-the-blank.' In addition, growing up my dad was a math professor and my mom was a special education teacher. Both of those life experiences inspired me to pursue an education degree."

Graduating from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Flick received her Bachelor's degree in Middle School English, with an additional certification for teaching high school. Later, Flick completed her Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction through Missouri Baptist.

Flick began her teaching career as a mid-year teacher in the Francis Howell School District. "Because I was the last teacher hired into the building, I was not sure I would have a guaranteed job in the fall of the next school year. I ended up going to the Parkway Job Fair, and was interviewed on the spot by South Middle principal Mr. Craig Fenner. I just completed my fifth year of teaching at South Middle; apparently I had a successful on-the-spot interview." Flick adds, with a smile.

Flick's desire to work for Parkway School District was influenced by her husband of 24 years, Wally. He is a 1980 graduate of Parkway West and has been actively involved with the Alumni Association. Flick's 26 year old daughter Angela was adopted by Wally. Together, the Flick's also have a 22 year old son Matthew. Flick is also the proud grandmother to two young grandchildren as well.

When asked why Flick thought she had been given this award, she said that getting to know the kids outside of class time is key. "I attend football games, the school plays and facilitate after school intramural clubs."

In the past Flick lead an after-school jewelry club and an animation club to engage with students, who might want an alternative to contact sports. For the last few years, she has been involved in producing the yearbook, with fellow teachers Rygiol and Danielle Voss. The yearbook received the "Gallery of Excellence" award this year from Walsworth Publishing Company, which only honors the top 15 percent of all yearbooks.

Flick also has served on the Patriot Unity Groups committee to help build community throughout the building. Teaming up with fellow English Language Arts teacher Alex Sheridan, Flick and a group of students created an anti-bully video, to promote character education. The video will be shown at a character education conference this summer.

In the classroom, Flick is innovative. "Like many others, I resisted the use of technology in the classroom. Now I use podcasts, movies, e-readers and  life-sized character replicas to engage my students in literacy."  She also wants to make her classroom warm and inviting by having pillows, curtains and cozy places for students to relax and learn.

A few years ago, Flick and fellow teacher Anne Houghland pioneered a single gender learning environment. In a ground-breaking experiment at South Middle, they divided their 8th grade students into all-girl and all-boy classrooms for a two-week unit reading the classic The Outsiders.

Their goal was to increase confidence and boost scores in a classroom setting where reading and writing is generally known to be female dominant. Flick's all-girl classrooms used more visual and auditory instruction. She said, "My teaching in general of the boys and girls is so much different than it was prior to this experiment. I find that I am more understanding of the boys need to act things out, and be more verbal as we begin a new concept. I am mindful to make sure the girls are more vocal and push through the noise of the boys so their own voices are heard."  Flick did not have a single-gender unit this school year but she hopes this will be something she can revisit for next school year.

Flick's impact does not end with the students. As Rygiol wrote in her commendation letter, in an attempt to help struggling teachers, Maria started the Angel Program at South Middle.  When a teacher notices that someone is having a particularly tough time, they anonymously give the name to Maria.  Flick has a “secret” group of angels who give little gifts of encouragement to those who are struggling. 

Perhaps the greatest example of being an educator worthy of this award was during her first year of teaching at South Middle. Flick elaborates.  "There were two letters written, one was by the student at the end of 8th grade to their future self. The other, was from me. I chose to write individual letters and not create a general form letter. The student letters included reflections, as well as who they were friends with, what their favorite lunch was in the cafeteria, music they liked etc. My letters to them were celebratory and more "you did it" you graduated, I always knew you would because....and then I included some sort of anecdote about that specific student. Both were sealed in the same envelope and then I mailed them over spring break this year, now that they are seniors. I heard from many students and parents about this letter once they were mailed out! I got a few visits, and (as I promised in my letters to their future selves) I am going to attend South High, Ursaline and CBC graduations this month."

Flick received the Award and a cash stipend and was celebrated at a recent ceremony. She had the honor of meeting Dr. Al Burr and his wife that evening.