Robby Parker: Trading places
Robby Parker has traded places from principal at Bob Jones High School to assistant superintendent for Madison City Schools. (Photo by JFD Photography & Design)
MADISON – Never at a loss for words, Robby Parker, now Assistant Superintendent for Madison City Schools, is opinionated about his work and community.
“I love and believe in Madison, Alabama .. and our kids,” Parker said.
“Students don’t care about the degrees you have or how many touchdowns or hits you had in high school or college,” Parker said. “They only care if you love them. I did. I still do love all the kids in Madison.”
Parker accepted his new role in June 2015 after serving as principal at Bob Jones High School for 10 years, plus another 11 years there earlier as coach and history teacher and two as assistant principal. He also was Discovery Middle School’s principal for three years.
“I remember all of my kids. Since 1988, there are thousands. I remember something about all of them,” Parker said.
Parker said he actually has the same job as at Bob Jones. “The difference is I don’t have 2,000 kids to supervise each day. Decisions I make now are decisions that affect 10,000 kids versus 2,000 kids.” Parker works closely with all principals and Central Office’s K-12 instructional staff.
As a young man wanting to pursue athletics, Parker was close, especially to his coaches. “I also remember my government/economics teacher, Nadine Sexton,” he said. “I doubt we had anything in common.”
Yet, Parker thoroughly enjoyed Sexton’s class. One day, Sexton called Parker to the front of the class. The youngest senior, he was only 16 years old. Sexton asked him what he wanted to be in college.
“I told her I didn’t know. She said I was special, and, when I talked, the rest of the kids paid attention and that would serve me the rest of my life,” Parker said. “I wasn’t special and never noticed anyone paid attention.”
“But no one had ever told me I was good at something cerebral. It was always athletics,” Parker said. “I had a new found confidence in the academic setting because Nadine Sexton, a really good teacher, believed in me.”
A veteran triathlete, Parker broke his hip in a 2014 bicycle accident; fortunately, he has completely recovered. “No limitations. The Lord sustained me through injury. I can run, bike and swim again.”
“I still want to do a full Ironman one day. The Lord has blessed me with the ability to work out and have fun at 51,” Parker said. “I fully believe whether I’m at work or doing a triathlon, I’m to do it unto God.” He quoted 1 Corinthians10:31 … “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
His wife Anita works as a clerical aid at Discovery Middle School and was named “Staff Member of the Year” in 2012. The Parkers married in 1987.
Their sons are Tyson, 25, and Seth, 20. Tyson teaches math and coaches football at James Clemens High School, and wife Elizabeth (Cook) teaches kindergartners at Heritage Elementary School. Seth, a junior at the University of Alabama, is student trainer for the Crimson Tide football team.
Robby and Anita Parker tailgate at UA games with up to 100 people in large tents. “Once, I counted 80 former Bob Jones and James Clemens kids at the tent. We have just a general good time,” he said.
The Parkers have attended Madison Freewill Baptist Church for 26 years.
He earned a bachelor’s degree at Samford University, master’s degree at the University of North Alabama and graduated from UA’s Superintendent’s Academy. His honors include “Alabama PTA Principal of the Year” and Alabama High School Athletic Association’s “Make a Difference Award.”
