Wife, mom excels at college, eyes teaching career
Commercial Appeal
By Jimmie Covington
Contact
April 20, 2005
A few years ago, Marty Parks home schooled her three sons when it appeared that her husband, Woody Parks, might be transferred out of state in his job.
The Southaven couple didn't know where they might move during the school year and didn't want to disrupt the youngsters in school.
In her mid-30s, Parks had taught a women's class at her church and already basically knew she wanted to teach. But the home teaching provided an extra spark.
The job transfer did not occur, and after the couple's youngest son, Zack, entered kindergarten, Parks, who had been a full-time mom, decided it was time to go to college and pursue teaching.
She entered Northwest Mississippi Community College at DeSoto Center in Southaven as a freshman in January 2001 under the 2 + 2 program with the University of Mississippi. Students in the program can earn a four-year college degree without leaving the county.
"I knew I needed to be where I could make a difference," said Parks, who turned 40 in February. "I feel like Providence led me here (to college and a career in teaching)."
Parks, a perfect straight A student at both NWCC and Ole Miss who has received numerous awards, has successfully balanced family life and school work.
"I don't know how I managed," she said. "It has been a struggle but they (her husband and sons) have been supportive. I know they have been sick of it because they want mom and wife back but they have been so great. It is just a matter of balance and I have had to do without a lot of sleep."
Woody Parks and the couple's sons accompanied her to a graduation celebration program Tuesday at DeSoto Center. The couple have been married almost 21 years. The actual graduation will be next month in Oxford.
Woody Parks, who works at a logistics firm and is also a blacksmith, said, "It has been a lot of work and she has struggled through it and has made it. We are proud of her."
Parks has studied to be an English teacher and is practice teaching this spring at Southaven High School, where she hopes she will be able to obtain a teaching job.
"I love Southaven High School," she said. "My husband went there. My kids are going there. I just feel such a part of it."
Eldest son Hank, 16, is currently at the high school; Nick, 13, is at Southaven Middle School, and Zack, 10, is at Hope Sullivan Elementary School.
Parks was born in Memphis and graduated from Germantown High School. "I met this old country boy from Mississippi and he dragged me across the state line," she said with a laugh. "We married in 1984 and we have lived here since 1986."
In addition to the support from her husband and sons, Parks praises her parents, Martha Ford of Germantown and Boyd Ford, who lives in Texas, for giving her a strong foundation in life.
Parks is the first Ole Miss student at DeSoto Center to receive a Taylor Medal from the university. The medals, which recognize "meritorious scholarship and deportment," are awarded each year to no more than one percent of the university's student body.
At Tuesday's celebration, Parks also was one of three DeSoto Center students receiving outstanding student awards from the School of Education. She received the secondary education award.
Melissa Richey received the graduate student award and Maggie Palmer, the elementary education award.
Dr. Bonnie Buntin, Ole Miss director at DeSoto Center, said, "She's (Parks) great. She is that nontraditional student who balanced both home and school. She has continued to be at the top of her class at both institutions."
A total of 162 students at DeSoto Center, including 19 graduate students, will be graduating from the university this spring and summer, Buntin said.
Ninety percent of the undergraduate students attended Northwest before entering Ole Miss and 62 percent of the undergraduates are in the 2 + 2 program.
-- Jimmie Covington: (901) 333-2010
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