Robert Parker has been a fixture in the Portage Township Schools system for many years. In those years, Parker has delivered with his unique teaching style, which students are extremely fond of.
“I try to have fun. I feel that if I’m enthusiastic and energetic and having fun, then the students will join me. Usually, that succeeds. You have to have your students on your side and believing in you,” Parker said.
He started out at Fegely Middle School and currently works at Portage High School. His popularity is so high that he has been selected by students for an Aces Award 13 different times.
Parker teaches Pre-AP World History (sophomores), AP US History (juniors) and AP Western Civilization (elective for juniors and seniors). He often shows his classes slides of the many places that he has traveled to go along with the unit that they are studying.
“I use every gimmick, every possible inclusion. I use every variety of learning and every different source of learning,” Parker said.
Parker, who has visited 70 different countries and all 50 states, recently capped off the process of writing and publishing a book. His book, British Prime Ministers, serves as the first single source to have information on all of the British prime ministers in one place.
“Writing and publishing my book was a lot of fun because I learned a lot of things. In the United States there are a lot of books about the presidents. Nothing like that existed in England,” he said.
The book is on sale for $20 in Parker’s classroom at PHS. It is also available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and on the bookshelves in England.
“When I first saw it on a shelf, it was a thrill. To see a book with my name on it on a bookshelf in public was great,” he said.
In addition to traveling, writing, teaching and studying history, Parker’s vast array of interests also includes a passion for music. He played in a band for 40 years. His band decided to put together one professionally made CD, which was called “No Time to Lose.” The CD is still available for purchase in Parker’s classroom for $10.
The PHS legend keeps on going no matter what and encourages his students to do the same.
“The number one thing is to POR. You have to press on regardless. You have to keep on going. Never quit, never give up. POR is always our motto.”