Howell Public Schools is pleased to announce Tracy Parke as the district’s Teacher of the Year for 2009-2010.  Mrs. Parke is a 4^th grade teacher at Southwest Elementary and has taught in the district for 11 years. She was selected from 460 teachers who work in Howell Schools.

A committee consisting of teachers, parents, students, a principal and a board member met on October 27 to consider nine nominees before selecting Tracy Parke as the district’s finalist.

Principal Jill Hilla and HEA Representative Lindsey Forbes joined Interim Superintendent Lynn Parrish, Board President Jeannine Pratt and Executive Director of School Improvement, Staff Development and Curriculum Sandra Moore in a surprise, congratulatory ceremony at Southwest Elementary on Wednesday morning, October 28.  Mrs. Parke will now complete the state application for Michigan Teacher of the Year. 

The following comments are taken from the nomination forms submitted on her behalf: “I believe that Mrs. Parke is a great example of what it means to be a super teacher; caring, loving, and willing to help and think outside of the box to make school the place my child wanted to go every day.  She treats all of her students with love and respect and is willing to work with parents to make the education of their child the number one purpose and goal. Mrs. Parke is a reading advocate and continues to educate herself to become a better teacher for her students.” 

Many noted Mrs. Parke’s support of students, staff and community after school, including her parent-child book clubs, running with the Southwest Elementary Running Club, attendance at PTO sponsored family nights and extra-curricular activities that her students are involved in. Her devotion to lifelong learning was admired by all.

Please join the entire Howell Public Schools’ family in congratulating Tracy Parke on her exceptional work with the children of our district.  The Howell Board of Education will honor her at a board meeting in January.