CODE Mission: To celebrate and recognize teacher leaders who make significant contributions to the growth of their students, inspire fellow educators and effectively support the district mission.
The David Douglas School District Cadre of Distinguished Educators (CODE) is a group of educators who come together seeking to elevate the practice of teaching and learning in our District. CODE was established to promote teacher leadership and pathways for professional development. Each year, teachers across the district are asked to nominate a colleague who stands out.
There were many teachers who were nominated as teacher leaders throughout the district, Here are the six educators who were selected as the outstanding nominees.
Sandy McCormack – Early Intervention Specialist at MECP
Here is what colleagues had to say…
Sandy is a phenomenal educator who is dedicated to the Multnomah Early Childhood Program Community through her active involvement in the union, wellness committee, peer coaching, creating spaces for early intervention teaming, and sharing her wealth of knowledge. She is constantly seeking new information to support the families on her caseload and her peers through participating in culturally relevant and research-based training, consulting, and researching. Her willingness to ask questions and seek out equitable solutions to challenges that come up as an EI/ECSE specialist provides our community with a leader who is caring, inquisitive, and flexible. She is always strength-based, and very positive and understanding when talking about tough situations.
Sandy brings our community together through her care and thoughtfulness. She is available to answer questions and provide information as our team’s union representative. As an MECP Wellness Representative, she was instrumental in supporting teachers to have access to a wellness space and engage in wellness activities. As a new hire mentor, she is dedicated to providing support to new and probationary staff as they navigate new paperwork, policies, and procedures, family engagement, culturally responsive practices, and the routine-based model.
Sandy creates change through her ability to advocate and apply her extensive knowledge in the communities she participates in. I am endlessly grateful for all she does for us.
Melissa Williams – Early Intervention Specialist at MECP
Here is what colleagues had to say…
Melissa is a mentor to everyone. She is hardworking, thorough, and goes above and beyond expectations for every family she works with. On our team, she is a natural leader. Melissa anticipates how policies will affect our team and our processes and is always a step ahead. She organizes us weekly to meet and check in with every team member. She steps in whenever someone needs help and takes on more than her own workload whenever someone is falling behind. Melissa is who you go to with a question or if you’re stuck. She knows not only child development but also community resources, program resources, and infant/toddler mental health to support families beyond just their developmental milestones. Melissa is a role model to everyone in our program. I love working with Melissa and I’m so lucky she’s on my team.
Melissa has fought for and organized weekly team meetings to keep everyone connected. During these meetings, Melissa checks in on everyone and ensures we are all supported. She also relays information between our group and our supervisor as needed and is always looking out for our team.
Joe Parvankin – Social Studies Teacher at Floyd Light Middle School and Outdoor School.
Here is what colleagues had to say…
Parvankin is someone former students talk about when remembering the teachers who made a difference in their lives. His sense of humor and ability to build positive relationships, helps create a classroom environment where students feel heard and appreciated. He maintains high expectations and provides the support kids need to meet those expectations. Parvankin is always willing to try whatever it takes to help individuals succeed. His students are incredibly lucky to have him as their teacher!
Parvankin runs Outdoor School for Floyd Light. His knowledge of the program from years working there combined with his passion for seeing students get to go on this once-in-a-lifetime experience, encourages more kids to go. Both the admin and fellow 6th grade teachers are lucky to have his wealth of knowledge about the program along with all of his resources. Thank you!
Jackie Parrish – SLC Teacher at Ron Russell Middle School
Here is what colleagues had to say…
Jackie is a tireless advocate for her students. She practices the district mission and upholds the district values daily through her practice. Jackie facilitates training for her IAs, other staff when needed for Unified, co-teaches Unified, and is constantly looking for ways to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Jackie leads the SLC program and classrooms at our building. She is the go to for all questions relating to best practices for this population. In addition to her classroom duties, she is also the building Wellness rep and serves on the social committee.
Julie Caverly – Health Sciences Teacher at David Douglas High School
Here is what colleagues had to say…
She is selfless, dedicated, kind, inspiring, not afraid to go against the grain when a difficult choice needs to be made, truly CARES for students through DOING, and leads by example.
She is the department chair, spends extra time mentoring new teachers, volunteers at most/all dances, games, and school events, utilizes her own personal resources to provide for students (parties in the classroom, activities, school supplies, hygiene items, etc.), regularly hosts and mentors student teachers, and will always prioritize helping others when there is a need. She is the epitome of a “leader” and someone I aspire to emulate each day I walk into the building.
She is open and non-judgmental but motivating. She is super organized (her work with managing student cellphones is legendary!).
She has built up the Health Sciences program and continues to add courses for a true path into the health care field where there are always job opportunities.
She has been very welcoming and supportive in on-boarding 5 new teachers to the Health department in the last 3 years for an almost complete turnover of the department. She takes on a student teacher almost every year to ensure quality training of new Health teachers for our metro area.
She is kind and supportive to her students, but also firm in upholding school policies and discipline norms. This earns her the respect of her students and her classrooms are calm and orderly which helps her students immensely in being able to come to class and know they will have a calm environment to succeed in.
Because of her background in teaching elementary, she can also offer fresh ideas of activities that touch and inspire students in a different way. She always helps us Health teachers to think in new ways.
She is eager to share leadership in the department and has delegated for other people to lead meetings.
Her democratic way of leading our meetings makes it so comfortable for all of us to raise any question, whether it is curriculum-based or about student-management. We have such a warm, open, interactive and supportive norm in our PLC meetings because of Julie’s sole intention to support us and encourage us to support each other.
Brooke Hunter – School Improvement Coordinator and English Teacher at David Douglas High School
Here is what colleagues had to say…
Brooke Hunter plays a crucial role in fostering a positive and collaborative school culture, influencing educational policies, and contributing to the professional development of her coworkers at David Douglas High School and the DDSD Community.
Brooke uses highly effective strategies in the classroom and demonstrates a deep understanding of ELA coupled with teaching methods. She serves as role models for many of us in the ELA Department. Brooke’s ability to incorporate culturally responsive teaching practices, incorporate innovative SEL practices, as well as, maintain high standard in her classroom has proven to be highly effective and I know many other teachers look to her as an example.
On a regular basis Brooke works collaboratively with all colleagues, administrators, and other stakeholders to promote a supportive and positive school environment in the DDSD Community. She actively contributes to team efforts and shares best practices. Her unique role as School Improvement Coordinator and 10th grade ELA teacher helps aid in effective collaboration with everyone at DDHS.
On a regular basis, Brooke advocates for positive changes at DDHS. She often takes on roles such as representing teachers’ interests in meetings with administrators, participating in curriculum development, or contributing to policy discussions as the School Improvement Coordinator and ELA Teacher.