To say that teaching is in this year’s Teacher of the Year for Buford Academy is an understatement. Both of Mrs. Betsy Parker’s grandfathers were principals and several of her other relatives were teachers. As a little girl, Mrs. Parker knew she wanted to be a teacher. “I never really had a desire to do anything other than teach!” claims Mrs. Parker. 
Mrs. Parker has been teaching at Buford Academy for the past eleven years. She teaches 5th grade Language Arts and Social Studies. Prior to coming to Buford Academy, Parker taught at three different Gwinnett County schools. She fell in love with the Buford schools when her son started at Buford Middle School in the 6th grade after they moved to Buford. She then decided to pursue a job at BCSS and that is how she joined the staff at Buford Academy.
Buford Academy Principal, Mrs. Kaleen Pulley says that Mrs. Parker knows that the key to a successful child is not just in teaching the curriculum but in forming relationships with these children. To get them to believe in themselves and to raise a child’s self esteem.
“Buford Academy is a great school due to having teachers just like Mrs. Parker and we are fortunate to have her as our Teacher of the Year.” states Mrs. Pulley.
A colleague of Mrs. Parkers’ sums up what makes Mrs. Parker an outstanding teacher, “She’s not only a teacher to her students, she is also a mentor to her colleagues. She takes the time to understand all her students and get to know them. She is thorough in all aspects of teaching, lesson planning, parent communication and teamwork.”
Mrs. Parker is married to her husband Bayne and they have two wonderful children together. Their son, Austin, is a United States Marine and is stationed in Japan. Their daughter, Ansley, is a Senior at the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!
