Forrest Parks

Background

About Forrest Parks

I am retired from the United States Army after having served for 26 years. I have a Bachelor's of Arts in History from the University of Maryland University College and a Masters of Education - Teaching and Learning from Liberty University. I just finished my teaching certification in Social Studies 4-8. I am also planning on getting certifications in Social Studies 8-12, Special Education Supplemental, History 8-12, ESL Supplemental, and Generalist 4-8. I know that seems like a lot, but it's what I want to do. My personal hobbies include cooking, geocaching, reading (mostly historical books), and working with the Boy Scouts. I currently volunteer as the "Top DOG" for the Watch D.O.G.S. program at John H. Wood Middle School. I also volunteer with the Boy Scouts, but I consider it more of a hobby than volunteering. I would do it anyway just for the fun of it. I like doing both of them because the students/scouts are at that age when they start "getting" things and I truly enjoy seeing them have those "a-ha" moments. I grew up hating history but grew to love it after my own "a-ha" moment when it all made sense. That feeling is what why I want to teach. I have been "instructing" soldiers for 25 years and see a direct relationship to teaching. I want to share my love of history with the students. I feel that history has become an afterthought with the new testing standards and our children do not understand its importance. Edmund Burke stated that "Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." If we do not teach our children about our past, they are going to repeat many of the same mistakes others have already made.