Just another day in Mister Parker’s class at West Jones High School…from the classroom, to the shop…but for his students this typical day they say is leading them to new heights beyond high school.

“Just a lot of hands‑on learning and ….allows time for you to be able to work on stuff, such as welding or fix engines and such,” said David Tisdale, West Jones student. “Like it’s just a very good course and a very good teacher all around.

“He just really shows us how to apply it,” Raiff Kee, West Jones student. “Things we can apply it to just to make things easier down the road.”

Parker leads his students from his own personal experience when he was their age. It was Parker’s FFA advisor at Taylorsville High School who opened up a new world he never realized was there.

“Here there’s a hundred different things you can do.  You’ll find something that suits you.  You know, if you’re not a welder that’s fine,” said Kenneth Parker, West Jones High School agriculture teacher. “We’ve got livestock judging.  We’ve got meat judging.  You know, there’s speaking contests, marketing plan.  We’re doing that one this year at national.  There’s dozens of different things that you can do and participate in.”

On this day, Parker leads his class through a power point on animal and plant life then how to operate a welding torch to engine mechanics.

“Whether it’s just the basics of plants and animals, or breaking it down from the cell walls to everything else,” Gracyn Foster, West Jones student. “Really, he breaks down the information into a way that everyone can understand that it’s relatable to…. He’s not really just an Ag teacher.  He’s so much more to me and all the other students here.”

Parker wants his students ready for the next step once they graduate. It may be trade school, a job or college. Parker says it’s all about giving them the confidence they can succeed at whatever they want to accomplish.

“I’m not going to make you do anything you don’t want to do, but do you want to get over this,” said Kenneth Parker. “Do you want to get better?  They’ll say yes, all right, and I’ll put them in it…. know I put them in contests where they have to talk and they’ll get nervous, but after a few times they find out, hey, I can do it.  You know, I’m capable.”

After sixteen years as a teacher and advisor, Parker is thrilled to be named FFA Advisor of the Year, but still, he says the spotlight should be on his students.

“To me, I was proud of it for the kids. But like when we go to a conference or something, or a convention, if I don’t go up on the stage, I’m perfectly happy, but I love watching the kids do it,” said Kenneth Parker. “I want them to succeed. That’s why I’m here. You know it’s not for me. It’s for them.”