Debbie Parker, a paraprofessional at Clear Lake Elementary, has been named this year’s Oxford School district nominee for the Betty Campion Award.
‘I was very surprised because I got it a couple of years ago and I didn’t think I could get it again,? said Parker, 48, who was nominated in 2002. ‘It was the furthest thing from my mind.?
‘There are so many here, other paraprofessionals, teachers and assistants, who are so dedicated to their jobs,? she added. ‘To be singled out like this is an honor because I don’t feel I’m any better than anyone else.?
Parker has worked in the Oxford School district since 1991. She started as a ‘Noon Aid? assisting in the lunchroom. She also worked as a substitute paraprofessional. In 1994, she began working as a full paraprofessional.
Today, Parker works with Clear Lake’s Peer Mediators (third, fourth and fifth graders), Readers and Leaders (first grade), HFH (Have Fun Here for fourth and fifth graders), and as a general classroom aid.
Peer Mediators meet five days a week. The program enables older students to assist younger ones in their schooling. Over the years, the program has expanded to include community service such as ‘Adopt a Grandparent.? Students in the group will adopt a grandparent at a Rochester nursing home and visit them during bingo nights.
The HFH group welcomes new students to Clear Lake Elementary. Students in the organization enjoyed working together so much that the program has expanded to include community service programs such as ‘Pet Project? and drives for canine rescues. The ‘Pet Project? features a new canine available for adoption each week.
‘I try to make school fun,? said Parker. ‘The students really enjoy the community service. We have students from the middle school and high school who still come back and participate in these things. They’ll come and ask for their adopted grandparent’s address because they’ve lost it or they’ll come and play bingo.?
In addition to all of this, the students in Parker’s groups also run the ‘Caught Caring Awards.? Students caught doing ‘caring acts? are rewarded by being featured on the ‘Caught Caring? bulletin board.
‘I love watching how excited the kids get when they accomplish something,? said Parker. ‘I just hope they hold onto that feeling and carry it through their lives.?
So what does Parker have in mind for her own future? The mother of two 23-year-old Central Michigan University College students is currently in college herself. She is completing a two-year degree in early childhood education from Baker College.
‘I think I’ll go on to get my teaching certificate then,? said Parker, with a smile, ‘but not until after I’ve taken a vacation and been a normal person without homework for a while!?