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Blue Springs, MO —
Julie Parker did not come into education in the traditional way.
“I began my college education pursing a degree in business. I soon realized becoming an accountant might not be the dream I envisioned,” said the first grade teacher at Voy Spears Elementary in the Blue Springs School District. “My mom encouraged me to explore the education field. Becoming a teacher has been the best decision I have ever made. Making a difference in so many lives has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”
Parker was selected from 22 nominees as the 2012 Blue Springs School District Teacher of the Year. She will now be eligible to compete in the Missouri State Teacher of the Year program. After completing an application and interview, the finalists are named this summer. The winner is announced in the fall.
“When Dr. Kinder announced my name as the Blue Springs School District Teacher of the Year, I was completely surprised and very humbled,” said the seven-year teaching veteran. “So many of these teachers are very deserving of this honor.”
Parker said she still cannot believe she was selected to represent the school district for the state program.
“There are so many dedicated and deserving teachers throughout our district,” she said. “This is a great honor I share with my family, colleagues, past teachers and students. I am excited to represent our district at the Missouri State Teacher of the Year competition.”
Parker said she has been “truly fortunate” to have amazing mentors in her career. She said both of her parents are retired teachers from the Blue Springs School District and she continues to look up to them.
“Their support is evident in everything they do for me and my students,” she said. “I also feel blessed to work on a strong team. We work together to achieve success for all of our students. Any one of my team members could have easily been named Teacher of the Year. They are simply amazing.”
Parker said it is her hope that when her students leave first grade, they will be confident in their abilities and will have found a love for learning. She said each child’s passion for learning is evident when they get excited doing things like reading books or exploring technology.
“Every person can remember at least one teacher who had a significant impact on his or her life. That teacher became the role model who helped them grow and see their full potential,” she said. “Teachers inspire. Teachers believe. Teachers create lifelong learners. I am a product of the Blue Springs School District. My teachers inspired me, believed in me, and helped make me the person I am today.”
Julie Parker did not come into education in the traditional way.
“I began my college education pursing a degree in business. I soon realized becoming an accountant might not be the dream I envisioned,” said the first grade teacher at Voy Spears Elementary in the Blue Springs School District. “My mom encouraged me to explore the education field. Becoming a teacher has been the best decision I have ever made. Making a difference in so many lives has been more rewarding than I could have ever imagined.”
Parker was selected from 22 nominees as the 2012 Blue Springs School District Teacher of the Year. She will now be eligible to compete in the Missouri State Teacher of the Year program. After completing an application and interview, the finalists are named this summer. The winner is announced in the fall.
“When Dr. Kinder announced my name as the Blue Springs School District Teacher of the Year, I was completely surprised and very humbled,” said the seven-year teaching veteran. “So many of these teachers are very deserving of this honor.”
Parker said she still cannot believe she was selected to represent the school district for the state program.
“There are so many dedicated and deserving teachers throughout our district,” she said. “This is a great honor I share with my family, colleagues, past teachers and students. I am excited to represent our district at the Missouri State Teacher of the Year competition.”
Parker said she has been “truly fortunate” to have amazing mentors in her career. She said both of her parents are retired teachers from the Blue Springs School District and she continues to look up to them.
“Their support is evident in everything they do for me and my students,” she said. “I also feel blessed to work on a strong team. We work together to achieve success for all of our students. Any one of my team members could have easily been named Teacher of the Year. They are simply amazing.”
Parker said it is her hope that when her students leave first grade, they will be confident in their abilities and will have found a love for learning. She said each child’s passion for learning is evident when they get excited doing things like reading books or exploring technology.
“Every person can remember at least one teacher who had a significant impact on his or her life. That teacher became the role model who helped them grow and see their full potential,” she said. “Teachers inspire. Teachers believe. Teachers create lifelong learners. I am a product of the Blue Springs School District. My teachers inspired me, believed in me, and helped make me the person I am today.”
