Pinpointe Teacher Profile: Carrie Parker

Carrie C Y P R E S S F A I R B A N K S Parker

I . S . D P I N P O I N T E T E A C H E R P R O F I L E

Husband’s Name: Ken Parker

Children’s Names/Ages:

Katherine 24 • Matthew 22 Andrew 20

Education (College attended/Degree Received):

Sam Houston State University: Bachelor’s Degree in Education Prairie View A&M University: Master’s Degree in Education with Certification in School Counseling

What was your motivation to become an educator?

I have always loved being with children and have always been intrigued by ps ychology. I decided to pursue a degree in elementary education. My elementary teaching career began in 1989 in CFISD. It wasn’t long before I discovered a position in my school that I never knew existed; an elementary school counselor. I talked to the counselor on my campus to find out more about her job and it sounded like the perfect fit for me! I then completed my master’s degree and became an elementary cou nselor. I have absolutely loved this job! I love the variety in each and every day. We help students with social emotional development, counsel students individually, in groups and visit classrooms to teach lessons. We also manage testing and placement for special programs such as Gifted and Talented, Bilingual/English as a Second Language programs and

Carrie (second from left) with family

some counselors are the testing coordinator for state tes ting. Counselors also help students and families with resources in times of n eed. It is a very rewarding job! Now, in my role as an itinerant counselor, I get to help the new counselors during their first year as a counselor. I love getting to know them and to help them learn this new role!

Campus/Teaching Assignment:

Elementary Itinerant Counselorsupporting elementary counselors during their first year as a counselor i n CFISD

Years of Experience (Same Assignment/Campus):

Teacher- 4 years, Campus Counselor 24 years, Itinerant Counselor- 4 years

Recall one memorable teaching moment.

As a counselor, there are many memorable moments. I think my favorites are when you help a student through a problem that they are having. Maybe it’s that they are new and are having difficulty making new friends, or maybe they get worried about something and you help them with some techniques to help them relax…and then they run up to you one morning and tell you how much bette r t hey are feeling. That always brings a smile to my face!

My “Super Power” is: Helping

What do you see as your biggest challenges this year?

My biggest challenge is also my biggest blessing. Starting with this school year, Cy-Fair has at least 2 counselors on each elementary campus. With the hiring of these additional counselors, we have over 30 new elementary counselors this year!

Finish this sentence: If I hadn’t chosen a career in e ducation, I would have pursued…

A career as a Psychologist. Or just volunteering with pet therapy in hospitals.

Favorite leisure activities:

Anything outside! Cycling, hiking, walking the dogs, working in the yard and currently, learning golf.