Melissa Porter Parks, an English Language Development resource teacher at Gaithersburg High School, was named the MCPS Teacher of the Year during a celebration at Carver Educational Services Center in Rockville on May 1. She will now compete for Maryland Teacher of the Year.
Per MCPS: “Porter Parks oversees more than 800 Emerging Multilingual Learners (EMLs), the largest English Language Development (ELD) department in MCPS. She grew up in poverty, received free and reduced price lunches, and worked several jobs while attending high school. She graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and is a first-generation college graduate.
Porter Parks was one of four finalists for this year’s Teacher of the Year, along with Janie Earle, kindergarten teacher at Poolesville Elementary School; Carrie Kraynak, English Language Development teacher at Flower Hill Elementary School, and Morgan Patel, social studies teacher at Montgomery Blair High School.
Porter Parks’ support and encouragement have made a difference in the graduation rate of EML students since 2018; that rate has increased from 33.3 percent to 60 percent in 2022. More students at Gaithersburg are also meeting college and career readiness goals, and accessing higher education opportunities. She organizes higher education financial aid information sessions for undocumented students and their families. She’s also involved in International Night, an event that helps students represent their cultures through song, dance, food and presentations.
She has the extraordinary ability to connect with students on a personal level to understand their individual needs and learning styles. She consistently weaves multicultural literature and culturally relevant topics into the curriculum. She cultivates strong relationships with families and community partners, building a network of support that extends beyond the school walls. Staff and community partners have hosted drives to help families receive free clothing, household items and other items, such as baby formula, diapers and personal hygiene products.
Students say she has changed their lives. Porter Parks “has always motivated me to complete my goals no matter how tough they are,” one said. “She cares and she shows it every day.” Another added: “I have an IEP and she has always seen me as a person and not a student with a problem.”
Porter Parks holds a master’s degree in teaching, and has completed the coursework for her doctorate in educational leadership from Drexel University.
“Melissa truly understands the big picture of how her guidance provides a comfortable space for teachers to develop and thrive. This thoughtful leadership is critical in creating a strong department able to provide an exemplary high school experience for our GHS multilingual learners,” wrote a team of ELD teachers and paraeducators.
As Teacher of the Year, Porter Parks will receive a cash prize and a one-year car lease from Fitzgerald Auto Malls.”