FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 1, 2014) -- Phyllis Parker, principal of McBride Elementary School, has an extensive history of educating the children of military service members.
Parker came to Fort Benning in 1986 as a science teacher at Faith Middle School and later became assistant principal. She was also the principal of Wilson Elementary School before moving to McBride in 2006. Parker has taught first, fourth, sixth, and eighth grades throughout her career.
"My husband served in the Air Force, and my student teaching position was with the children of Marines," Parker said "My first teaching assignment was with the children of the Air Force. Now, I am proud to be serving the children of our Army parents."
Parker said she believes in using disciplines such as art, music or physical education to reinforce classroom lessons.
"McBride School offers a rich program for students on a daily basis," Parker said. "They are involved in art, music and physical activity throughout the week. We offer opportunities for children to be involved in the Environmental Protection Club to learn about our world and their responsibilities for caring for our earth."
Technology is also a highlight for the school. McBride offers an after-school robotics club, where students build and program robots to carry out various tasks, Parker said. Additionally, students are encouraged to learn new languages and participate in several academic clubs. McBride's new Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math initiative include students, volunteers, teachers and Partners In Education collaborations with the 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment.
"There are some new aspects of our partnership that we believe will benefit all of our students, and we are eager to work out details and get these new programs underway," Parker said. "We always work to honor veterans, and we will soon unveil a special program that focuses on veterans this year."
Parker said her personal goal for McBride is to see students achieving at the highest levels in academics and building camaraderie and trust between parents and the school.
"I think the thing I enjoy most about being at Fort Benning is the opportunity to serve our military Families. We all know that our Soldiers do not serve in isolation - Families serve, too," Parker said. "If we can help our Soldiers know their children are in good hands and that they are receiving the absolute best education possible in a safe, secure facility where those children are loved and valued, then we can say that we contribute to the well being of the Soldier, too."
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