2012-2013 'Teacher of the Year' Announced for Cumberland County Schools

Angela Parker, a Language Arts/Reading teacher at Seventy-First Classical Middle School, was recently named as the 2012-2013 Cumberland County Schools' Teacher of the Year.

The presentation was made during the CSS' annual dinner at the Crown Center Ballroom on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Parker, who has been teaching for eight years, is a National Board Certified educator who received her undergraduate degree in English Literature from Fayetteville State University. Parker plans to receive her Master's degree in Reading from FSU in May of 2014.

Parker shared the following thoughts about the need for teachers to "be real" about who they are with their students in a Cumberland County Schools' Communications and Public Relations press release.

“Transparency is so important for educators, without it there is no way to truly provide students with a safe and comfortable environment. Students will open up and share their thoughts, opinions, experiences and feelings when they know the teacher is willing to do the same. As an educator, I choose transparency. It has proven beneficial and reliable in helping students achieve their educational goals.”

Parker continues, "Without transparency, it is impossible to truly reach out and provide good service. Children are different types of customers. They sense when you are nervous, are certain about what they like and dislike, and want people to ‘be real’ with them. I offer my students the reality they desire by being transparent with them. I use my own personal experiences as a teenager, a learner, a business woman and an educator to help make the literature and the topics for writing real for the students. Students laugh at my stories and are able to tap into their own prior knowledge to create narratives or relate to a character in literature. This helps them become lifelong learners and readers.”

During her tenure as a teacher, Parker has taken advantage of and led numerous professional development sessions within CSS (Cumberland County Schools).

“My greatest contribution as a teacher is to provide knowledge through my own experiences as a student… My greatest accomplishment in education is to provide teachers with knowledge. Every professional development I lead offers [teachers] a chance…to connect, learn, and grow in a profession we love. I enjoy helping others grow in knowledge, and plan on doing that the remainder of my career."

In addition to receiving the title of 2012-2013 Teacher of the Year, Parker also was presented with $300 from CCS, $250 from the Communities in Schools of Cumberland County, a one-year car lease of a 2012 Chevy Cruze from Reed-Lallier Chevrolet, a commemorative custom designed CCS Teacher of the Year ring from Jostens, a watch from Herff Jones and a plaque and flowers from the BOE.

Additional winners were first runner-up Paige McMillan from Gray's Creek Elementary School and second runner-up Susan Nazario from Sherwood Park Elementary School. Mcmillan received $200, Nazario received $100 and both finalists received flowers and an award.

Ten district winners also received Smart Response Systems from the Technology Department at CSS, $100 from CCS and $250 and a gift certificate from CISCC. TOY candidates were presented with $100, a framed certificate and a two hour CEU credit.

--Information provided from a Cumberland County Schools' Communications and Public Relations media release.