Ms. Christy Parker-Priest

How many years have you been teaching or worked in education?

I have been in education for 21 years.

How many of your years have been spent at Garrison-Pilcher?

I have been teaching at Garrison-Pilcher for 18 years.

What grade levels have you taught or worked with?

My first three years of teaching I taught 9th-12th grade.  The past 18 years I have taught k-2nd grade.

What college did you attend?

The better question is where didn't I go to college.
I have attended: The Community College of Rhode Island, Pensacola Jr. College, Uni. of West Florida, Uni. of Maryland (Japan campus), Uni. of New Orleans, Thomas Uni. and Florida A&M.  Needless to say I have had a very well rounded college education.

My best day in the classroom was when....

Any day when a child feels successful and proud of  his/her artwork and leaves my classroom happy is a "best" day for me. 

Who or what inspired you to become a teacher or to work in education?

There are two teachers who truly inspired me to teacher, I cannot write about one without the other.

My 9th grade World History teacher Mrs. McLaughlin at Brandon Jr. High School in Virginia Beach Virginia. Mrs. McLaughlin made history come alive in the classroom and help to further ignite a love and passion for history that was started by my dad years before.

My 12th grade English Literature teacher Mr. Mello at Middletown High School in Middletown, Rhode Island.  Mr. Mello opened my mind and heart to the love of great literature and challenged me to keep reading and learning.

What profession other than your own would you most like to attempt?

If I was not teaching I would love to be a chef or a food stylist and have my own restaurant and/or catering business.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

I enjoy cooking and trying new recipes, reading cook books, checking out different cooking websites.
I also enjoy reading historical novels/biographies, and literally classics.
When I have the time I love to travel and visit new places.

What is one thing about you that likely would surprise your students?

That I wasn't born in the Dark Ages or before dinosaurs roamed the earth!!

What else would you like to share about yourself or your profession?

 I love sharing with the children my love for Art and Art History, but the best part of teaching is the endless hugs and  the unconditional love of the children.