Parsons USD 503’s creator of the “Vikings: Above & Beyond Award”, Matthew Peak, said there were several good nomination submissions for the month of October, which were added to those received last month.
After considering all submissions now collected, the panel chose Parsons High School Spanish teacher Kerri Hall.
“Vikings: Above & Beyond” was created to allow staff members to nominate other staff members that they see going above and beyond for our district and our students.
“I was extremely surprised, and it means so much to me to be nominated,” Hall said.
One person nominating Hall had this to say: “(She is) one of the most genuine and hardest working people that I know. Not only does she make her classroom a loving and comfortable environment for students, but she works tirelessly as the esol coordinator for our district to make sure that our district stays in compliance for every student regardless of their cultural background. Her classroom is always open to students and staff who are having a rough day and need somewhere to talk. The most amazing part is that she does this without complaint or anyone feeling like they are a burden. To me, she is the embodiment of what a Viking should be.”
A little background on Hall: She is a native of Parsons and a 2001 graduate of PHS. She graduated from Pittsburg State University in 2005 with a major in Spanish and a minor in English for Speakers of Other Languages. She was also in the Honors College at Pitt State.
“This is my 20th year in education,” she said. “ I have taught all 20 years in Parsons, both at the middle school and the high school over the years. I love teaching in Parsons, and I wouldn't want to teach anywhere else. I love my students, the teachers and staff, and the sense of community and support that we have for each other. I love feeling like I can make a difference for our students here, and I'm grateful for the difference they've made for me, too.”
She is married to Adam, and they have a son, Julian, and daughter named Josslyn.
Hall received her prize of a 40oz stainless steel Viking travel tumbler that is laser engraved with the Viking and “It’s Always a GREAT Day to be a Viking!!!".
If you see someone going above and beyond for our district and our students, submit their name here: https://forms.gle/uGcY5C6Zz91877uY7 .Submissions for this first round will continue through December and January, with one person being chosen each month. Then all submissions will be deleted and nominations will start over for the second semester.