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Ballard County Middle Has New Interim Principal

Ballard County Middle Has New Interim Principal
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By West Kentucky Star Staff
Jul. 22, 2014 | LACENTER, KY
By West Kentucky Star Staff Jul. 22, 2014 | 05:22 PM | LACENTER, KY
After two years as assistant principal at Ballard County Middle School, Amber Parker was named interim principal this week by the school’s Site-Based Decision-Making council.



The 1993 graduate of Ballard Memorial High School began with BCMS in 1999 as librarian. She taught eighth-grade science before moving to middle school health and PE teacher in 2001. Many also may remember Parker as head girls’ basketball coach at BMHS from 2002-2007.



“I am excited about this opportunity. I’ve spent my entire career in the middle school. I know the strength our school holds, and I’m honored to be a leader here,” Parker said.



Ballard Superintendent Casey Allen said that the SBDM council and Parker agreed on the interim appointment because of the short time remaining before the first day of school (August 6). The job will be reposted in the spring next year.



“Amber is a life-long Bomber, who has served as a teacher, SBDM member, assistant principal, head coach and athletic director,” Allen continued. “The SBDM council is looking forward to working with her and the BCMS staff in continuing the tradition of excellence at BCMS.”



Parker holds a bachelor of science, master’s degree in emotional behavior disorders, and her Rank 1 status, all from Murray State University. She and her husband, Jeremy, live in LaCenter with their five children, who range in age from a high-school senior to four 6-year-olds (affectionately known locally as “The Parker Quads”).



Parker said some of her areas of emphasis this year will be more positive-behavior rewards, and increasing attendance. “Teaching and learning can’t take place if the student is not there,” she said. She’s also looking at the possibility of at least periodic “flexible Fridays,” where students who need additional help in certain areas can spend extra time with those teachers, and students who don’t need the help can explore new and deeper content in the subjects that they love.



“We want to do something based on testing data,” she explained. “Our feeling is, “Let’s move these kids forward.’



“I am blessed to have the staff I have,” Parker said. “We work well together, and the culture is very strong. I know they’re going to give 110 percent every day. If something isn’t working, we’ll talk about it, and go back to the drawing board.









Information provided by Julie Thomas, Ballard County Schools.

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