Alabama PTA names Robby Parker as 2014 Outstanding School Administrator
The Alabama PTA Association has selected Robby Parker, Bob Jones High School principal, as Outstanding School Administrator of the Year. (CONTRIBUTED)
MADISON – Robby Parker, principal at Bob Jones High School, has been named Outstanding School Administrator of the Year by the Alabama PTA Association.
Parker’s honor was announced at the state PTA’s 96th annual convention at the Huntsville Marriott on May 2-3. He ranked first among all high school principals in more than 130 public school districts in Alabama.
“I was surprised that I received it. I’m very undeserving,” Parker said.
“At Bob Jones, we have the best kids, the best teachers, the best advanced-placement courses and the best parents in the state,” Parker said.
“I am thankful for the award, but I’m very undeserving and the least important person in the building. The kids, teachers, APs and parents make it great,” he said.
Sonja Griffith, president of Madison City Council of PTAs, said Parker loves his job and his students. He attends all extracurricular events and takes pride in highlighting students’ scholastic achievements.
“He tweets his phone number on prom night, in case kids are in trouble,” Griffith said. “Robby knows that parent support is imperative to having a successful school.”
Parker worked as a classroom teacher, coach and assistant principal at Bob Jones from 1988 to June 2002. He then served as principal of Discovery Middle School until May 2005. He has been principal at Bob Jones since June 2005.
“The PTA could not have picked a better administrator for this award,” Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said. “Mr. Parker is a mentor and role model to aspiring administrators across our state and region.”
Robby Parker is married to Anita Parker, who works in the Discovery Middle School office. Their son Tyson will graduate in December with a degree in secondary math education at Athens State University. Their son Seth just finished his freshman year at the University of Alabama.
A triathlete, Robby Parker often enters triathlon or duathlon contests of endurance that involve swimming, cycling and long-distance running. He trains about six days each week. Parker played professional baseball in the 1980s before entering the field of education.
