MANCHESTER – Later this year, the New Hampshire Department of Education will announce its 2023 Teacher of the Year, and one of our own is among the finalists.
Gregory Parker, of Memorial High School, is among the final four in consideration for the yearly, statewide honor. The Teacher of the Year process starts every year in the late winter, with the Department of Education soliciting nominations. Manchester was well-represented among the nominees, with 28 of 92 hailing from our school district (you can find the full list of nominees at www.mansd.org/article/1117974).
From that group of 92, 20 were selected as semi-finalists. Those semi-finalists made formal presentations to a selection committee this summer, and from that group, four finalists were selected. The selection committee will make site visits to finalists’ schools this month before deciding on the winner. Memorial High Principal Shaun St. Onge has supported Parker each step of the way.
“Mr. Parker’s true understanding of student learning and his ability to connect with students, has had an immediate positive impact on our school community,” St. Onge said. “He is dedicated to teaching the whole student as an individual learner. We are extremely proud of his work and this a well-deserved honor.”
If selected as New Hampshire’s Teacher of the Year, Parker will go on to represent the Granite State at the national level. Superintendent of Schools Jennifer Chmiel Gillis said Parker’s standing as a finalist and Mancheter’s strong showing among the nominees reflects the impact these staff have.
“There is so much that goes into the Teacher of the Year process, but it all starts with a nomination from someone they impacted,” she said. “I was thrilled but not surprised to see so many of our staff nominated this year, because I know how much they do every day to make a difference and improve outcomes for our students. I’m so excited for Mr. Parker and I hope everyone joins us in cheering him on.”
Late this summer (in between preparing for the school year and throwing out the first pitch at the Fisher Cats Back to School Night), Mr. Parker took time to sit down and tell us about himself and what the Teacher of the Year process has been like. Our questions are in bold:
Can you just start by explaining your role and your recent history with education?
“My role as Interventionist is one that I created this year. My goal was to create a program where struggling students could go to recover credit for classes they didn't pass. I'm currently certified in History and Administration, and am currently going back to school for my degree in Mathematics, so that I can be the best possible resource for my students. I'm entering my 9th year in education, and my 4th in the Manchester School District. I spent two years at MST before heading to West Virginia for a year, and then coming back to work at Memorial. I've taught theater, US History, World History, Psychology, and tutored in Math, English, and Science at districts in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and West Virginia.”
What does it mean to you, as a teacher, to make it this far in the process?
“It's a shock to make it this far in the process, honestly. I was incredibly intimidated by the quality of teachers I was up against, but I was also encouraged by it. We have an incredibly strong core of teachers in New Hampshire, and it's an honor to make it this far, and to represent the city of Manchester. While the Teacher of the Year is an individual award, it is certainly not the product of individual effort. I wouldn't be where I am if it wasn't for my incredibly flexible and forgiving administrative team, my hard-working and dedicated friends and colleagues in the Memorial Guidance Department, and the amazing teachers who, week after week, have to deal with me calling and emailing about students and accommodations, and who are so flexible and kind.”
What has the process been like?
“The process has been long, but thorough. It started when a student and her parents nominated me. I then filled out the application, which was an interesting dive into my motivation and methodology. Then, the group of 92 teachers who accepted nominations got together in Concord for a great day of discussion with the nomination committee. After that, the 20 semi-finalists had to give presentations on their teacher journey and educational platform. From there, the 4 finalists were selected. It's been wonderful. I've met so many incredible teachers and had a lot of wonderful discussions about education.”
Manchester has been well represented in this process – what does it say about our staff that they have received such strong recognition through the ToY process?
“People are always surprised when I tell them that, out of all the places I've taught, Manchester has been my favorite. It's part of the reason I came back to New Hampshire. We have a tall task in this district, considering how large we are. The passion and tenacity I see from teachers every day is incredible. Some of the best teachers in our district are ones that are flexible, love to learn, and understand the shifting dynamics of our student population. We have some really tough students, but those are the ones that, when you finally connect with them, become some of the best reasons to come into school. Districts are only as good as the people that populate them. I hope that the incredibly strong group of Manchester teachers that was nominated this year can serve as inspiration to others to come and join us.”
We hope you'll join us in wishing Mr. Parker good luck in the final stages of the process. You can read more about the Teacher of the Year process by clicking here: https://www.education.nh.gov/who-we-are/commissioner/recognition-and-awards-programs/teacher-year.