The supervisor of Learning Options High School wears many hats; but new supervisor Gary Parker said his main goal is to present a more positive image for alternative education.
Parker, who worked as a social worker two years ago before coming to Learning Options as the interim supervisor last year, said his role as the new supervisor of the school is split between strengthening the abilities of the students and teachers and acting as a disciplinarian.
‘It’s very much a principal position,? he said. ‘I work with the teachers and provide leadership to strengthen the curriculum to get the best classroom instruction.?
Parker also promotes development opportunities for the teachers, works with parents, and hopes to work with the Lake Orion community.
‘I work with community resources to help our kids better understand what they’re doing after school in the work field,? he said.
A Clawson resident, Parker works out of the Community Education Resource Center (CERC) where Learning Options is housed. He grew up in Grand Rapids in a small town that he said reminds him a lot of Lake Orion.
‘I went to Albion College and graduated with my undergraduate degree in 1993,? he said. ‘I got my master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University…I worked full-time for four years and went to school, and I graduated in 2002.?
Parker is continuing his education to earn another degree in administration.
With his new position as the permanent supervisor at Learning Options, comes longer hours, and he said his family has been supportive, as well as the Lake Orion Board of Education. Parker and his wife Jenny have a two-year-old son, Brody.
‘The administration and the board of education have been extremely supportive of myself and the Learning Options program,? Parker added. ‘That’s why I like working in this district so much…They are right on the front lines, working with us.?
Parker was involved in social work for 10 years, a field he initially got into because he wanted to ‘impact people.?
‘I wanted to empower these people to know there’s more in life…and that hard work and determination goes a long way,? he said.
Parker likes to challenge himself and that the transition from social work to a school setting has been a smooth one for him.
‘This is a leadership position, and that’s why it’s so intriguing to me. I spent a majority of my time in residential placement (as a social worker),? he said. ‘I ran the homeless youth program for Common Ground. But I wanted to affect more lives on a different level.?
Parker remembered his positive experiences at school and wanted to help another student have the same type of experience.
‘I remember what my teachers and coaches provided me,? he said. ‘I want to bring that to another student. I have a lot of visions and goals for our program. I’d like to challenge our curriculum and make it as good as possible.?
One of Parker’s main goals, which he shares with the Learning Options staff, is to change the overall image of alternative education in the community.
‘That’s a big goal of ours this year,? he said. ‘But a lot is up to the students…We want to show the community that these students can be positive young adults and contribute to this community.?
Parker plans to work with the community to help find job experience for his students related to their fields of interest.
‘If college isn’t what they want to do, they could possibly go into an apprenticeship or trade,? he said. ‘You have to meet the students where they are at…they want structure and direction.?
Parker, who played college basketball while at Albion, still likes to get on the court when he has time, and also enjoys reading, jet skiing and kayaking.
‘I also like to spend as much time with my family as possible,? he said. ‘I enjoy music and independent films…I really enjoy art house films.?
Parker credits the staff at Learning Options as one of the reasons he is enjoying his new job so much.
‘I enjoy working with such a dedicated staff that has brought so much positive change to the program,? he said.
‘The teachers here are passionate about what they do, and the staff is at the forefront of these (new) ideas.?