05/26/2018
A message from Ms. Parkhurst-
I have had the tremendous honor to work at Seminole for the past 2 years. I am extremely proud of my own personal and professional growth. During this time I have had the opportunity to serve as your teacher and achieve many of the goals I had set for myself like: teaching a major work, making Arts Alive and Honor Choir for Candlelight, acquiring choral risers, cultivating First Take to compete in ICHSA, being selected to perform at the Disney hotels, Marathons, and the Festival of the Arts. Collaborating with Seminole State College, Bethune Cookman University, Midway Elementary, Millennium Middle School, Sanford Middle School, and Markham Middle School, building a respected and quality choral program, participating in and the FSOF Honor Choir, helping students with their college prep, achieving superior ratings, providing opportunities for gospel to visit a university and fellowship with the BCU Gospel Choir, having students participate in All State and All County, had the opportunity to collaborate on musicals, inventoried/organized the costume closet and revamped the choral library. Working as a solitary director, I increased the number of students from 220 to 280 (and still growing for next year), managed fundraisers, maintained scheduling/social media marketing, and organized an active year round performance calendar (in and out of state). Along with fostering many musical moments and building confidence, becoming closer as a choir family, and challenging ‘You to be the best YOU!’ I have had the opportunity to work with amazingly talented students and I am grateful.
It is with a heavy heart that I must share I will not be returning to Seminole High School next year. The vision of the choral program and my teaching philosophy does not align with that of the current administration. My career and students are my life, and as many of you know, I invest a lot of my time at work. Life is too short to continue doing things that do not allow ‘You to be the best YOU!’ In my short time at Seminole, I can proudly say that I am leaving the choral program better than I received.
After weighing the pros/cons of leaving and seeking the advice from my friends and family, I have accepted a position at Tuskawilla Middle School for the 2018-2019 school year.
I encourage you to continue to strive for excellence and be assured that I will be taking the lessons you have taught me as I move forward and onto my next big adventure!
Lots of love and hugs….
“Sing” cerely,
Ms. Parkhurst
