Heather Parks is Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Teachers make a difference in their students lives each and every day. For many students, having a teacher who cares and goes that extra mile can be the difference in a successful education and graduation. We’ve all had that teacher who inspired us or helped in some way. That’s why WLAF and Eagle Tire Pros salute all of our hard working educators with a weekly feature.

This week’s featured teacher is Heather Parks, who comes by teaching naturally, as both of her parents were educators and helped inspire her to follow in their footsteps.

She teaches Kindergarten at LaFollette Elementary School and is in her sixth year as an educator.

She is originally from LaFollette and attended Valley View and East LaFollette for elementary schools. She is a 2002 graduate of Campbell County High School.

Parks attended the University of Tennessee and Tusculum College for her undergraduate degree and the University of the Cumberlands for her Masters and EdS.

When she’s not teaching, Parks said she “loves singing and music, reading, spending time with my family and friends, football, church.” 

According to Parks, her parents, Sharon and Larry Parks were her inspiration to go into teaching. 

“My dad taught 4th grade at East LaFollette Elementary then became the principal at Valley View Elementary, and my mother taught 3rd grade at Valley View,” Parks said. 

Her mom taught at Valley View from 1970 until 2000, when she retired. She mostly taught 3rd grade. Heather’s father, Larry Parks taught at East LaFollette Elementary from 1972 until 1995, teaching mostly 4th grade. He was the principal at Valley View Elementary from 1995 until 2003 when he retired. 

Parks had both her parents in school, her Mom in 3rd grade, and her Dad in 4th grade, and “they made learning so much fun.” 

“We did lots of hands on things, and they challenged us to be the best students we could be. They set the bar high,” Parks said. 

She originally wanted to go into education, but her advisor at UT said she’d “never make it in education,” so she graduated with a Bachelors of Science in Business Management, then when she turned 32 she went back to grad school to obtain her Masters of Arts in Elementary Education.

“I took the long road to get into education. Lots of detours, twists, and turns, but those detours have helped shape me into the educator I am today,” Parks said.  

Her favorite part of teaching, like many educators is sharing that “ah ha” moment with her students. 

“I enjoy seeing the sparkle in my students’ eyes when they have that ah ha moment. Seeing them learn and grow is very special, and I get to be a part of that. I love seeing my former students come back and visit,” Parks said.

Another part of her job she enjoys is working at LaFollette Elementary School. 

“I work with the best educators you could ask for. LES has been my home for six years, and I enjoy working with the staff, the kids, and the admininstration. We work hard, but we also enjoy our jobs and being around each other. I couldn’t ask for better colleagues at LES,” Parks said.

Every Thursday, WLAF’s Charlotte Underwood features the WLAF – Eagle Tire Pros teacher of the week. That educator also receives a free oil change from Eagle Tire Pros. To nominate a teacher for teacher of the week honors, please send your nomination to  wlaf@1450wlaf.com (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/17/2023-6AM)