LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Kim Parks was nominated by her colleague, Dawn Peterson.

"[Changing lives] starts at the lower level..it usually goes back to that teacher who made the difference," said Peterson. "Teaching is not simply getting the books out and following curriculum. Teaching is loving the students first. That is what I see in Kim Parks every day. Her classroom is right next to mine so I see that love of each child, that nurturer, that role model, that leader, and that colleague I want to 'grow up and be.'"

"It would be difficult for me to find a student in her classroom who would be labeled with a disability or any other labels we put on children," said Peterson. "I know the hours she puts in for each of those students takes up a lot of her personal time. She stays late so many nights as I walk by her room and tell her goodnight. It's rare not to see that smile she has every day for students, even on the days it's hard for her to get up and do it again."

"Teaching other people’s children is not her only talent. She has also raised three amazing boys," said Peterson. "I know, as I had two of them in my class. One of her own sons struggled with reading and writing. Kim dedicated her own time and money to learn how to help her dyslexic child. By gaining this wisdom to benefit her own son, she was able to bring it to the classroom for first graders. She is able to give them direction to students who are struggling with reading and writing and help to become better learners and readers."

Mrs. Parks is there to make a difference in each and every child she has in her classroom. She takes individual time for every student, and she makes sure she has a connection with students and parents. Her parent connection happens before that first conference night. Parents know they can text, email, or call her on their own time, and she will respond to their questions and concerns. Even though she is a dedicated mother and wife, she still takes time for the students and parents connected to her job. For Mrs. Parks, it's ironic to call teaching a job, because she only sees it as another day to love on children.

Mrs. Parks not only dedicates her time and energy into each student, but she has also stepped up to several leadership roles on committees to better her school. She wants to make a difference as her school steps into the new ideas of “redesign” and what that has to offer for students, parents, community, and staff. She has new and great ideas all the time.

"I never see her pull out the plan book from last year and redo those plans," said Peterson. "She wants to meet students at their level and bring them as far as she can in one school year. I know she makes a difference in their lives. I see it the following year, as many of her students step into my classroom from first grade into second grade. Many of her students are not sure they want to leave her classroom because they knew they felt safe, loved, and important. The academics fall into place once they have those securities. I know those children are prepared for my class once they walk into my doorway. It makes my job easy for the academics, but difficult to follow Mrs. Parks."

"Telling you about her schooling and how many years she was in school could be important, but truly, I think all the college schooling would not be able to teach what Kim shows in the classroom every single day," said Peterson. "I know her days can be long after she has had a difficult day, but she never gives up on any of her students. They are her children, too, and she loves them all."