Melissa Parker
Department Chair
Department
Contact Information
| Courses Taught |
Curriculum Resources for Early Childhood Programs A study of the fundamentals of developmentally appropriate curriculum design and implementation in early care and education programs for children. Child Growth and Development A study of the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive factors impacting growth and development of children through adolescence. INRW (face to face, online) The focus of the course is on applying critical reading skills for organizing, analyzing, and retaining material and developing written work appropriate to the audience, purpose, situation, and length of the assignment. The course integrates preparation in basic academic reading skills with basic skills in writing a variety of academic essays. STSK/Learning Frameworks (face to face, online) This course focuses on the psychology of learning and success, and it examines factors that underlie learning, success, and personal development in higher education. Engl 1301 Intensive study of and practice in writing processes, from invention and researching to drafting, revising, and editing, both individual and collaboratively. Emphasis on effective rhetorical choices, including audience, purpose, arrangement, and style. Focus on writing the academic essay as a vehicle for learning, communicating, and critical analysis. |
| Education |
MA, English 2020, Grand Canyon University, Phoenix, AZ MS, Early Childhood Studies 2020, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN DBA, Social Change (ABD) 2015, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN MA, Psychology 1996, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Belton, TX BA, Religious Education 1993, Howard Payne University, Brownwood, TX |
| Teaching Experience |
A strong motivator for me to teach is helping people become more proficient and successful in my areas of expertise, and in the areas that learners choose to grow professionally and academically. It is enriching to watch students build their confidence and skill level in the classroom to take out into the professional realm. With a strong belief that education is the key to overcoming many of life’s issues including poverty, abuse, generational welfare and low self-esteem, educators play a crucial and critical role to helping individuals and societies advance and become more stable.
I believe that professors and instructors who invest in students and their development will create a culture of trust and respect in the classroom that is foundational for success. I am a reflective listener, and ask meaningful questions in class to help students absorb and master course room objectives. By using relevant course work and asking questions related to current events, students are able to see the real life practical use of the work that they do. I provide numerous learning opportunities through different teaching methods to appeal to each learning style and allow students to be successful and retain information. |
| Professional Experience |
Grace Discovery Center, Owner, Early Childhood Program March 2015 to present Belton Christian Youth Center, Executive Director, May 2001 to February 2015
Temple Housing Authority, Kaleidoscope Director, January 2000 – May 2001
Immanuel Baptist Church, CDC Director, May 1994 – December 1999
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| Professional Presentations |
Early Childhood Development Courses 2001-2002, Temple College, TX Classroom Techniques Courses 1994 - 2000, Immanuel Baptist Child Development Center, Temple, TX Discipline 2001 - 2015, Belton Christian Youth Center, Belton, TX Classroom Arrangement 1994 - 2000, Immanuel Baptist Child Development Center, Temple, TX Reflective Listening Ongoing, Belton Christian Youth Center, Belton, TX Open Ended Questioning 2001 - 2015, Belton Christian Youth Center, Belton, TX Developmental Milestones 2006, First Baptist Church, Temple, TX |
| Awards |
Deans List 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 Presidents List 1991, 1992, 1993 Melissa Parker Named Scholarship 2014 Glynda Parker Nursing Named Scholarship – Temple College 2019 |
| Research Interests |
Social Change Psychology Business Administration Studies Business Operations Information Systems Management Strategic Marketing Leadership Building Sustainable Organizations Financial Management Business Strategy and Innovation Applied Quantitative Research Methods Applied Qualitative Research Methods Business Analysis Quantitative Decision Making Mentoring Sustainability Law and Compliance Building Partnerships Streamlining and Efficiency Cost Reduction Revenue Building Sustainability Biblical Languages Art and Design Music Theory and Appreciation Group Counseling Techniques Play and Learning for Preschoolers DAP for Preschoolers Preschool Environments Research/ Advocacy in Early Childhood Impact of Current Issues and Trends i Resources and Support Child Development Theories Cultures Influence on Development Supporting Exceptional Children Observation and Assessment Child Development Continuum Culturally Responsive Practice Impact of Bias Access, Equity and Promoting Change Collaborating with Governments History and Evolution of Early Childhood Leadership Systems Perspective Research Methodologies and Proposals Families and Communities Curriculum Models Writing Theory: An Applied Approach to Rhetoric and Composition Social/Technological Contexts of Writing Applied Theories of Rhetoric and Organizational Communication Multimedia Writing: Creating a Campaign for Social Media Critical Practices Teaching Literature Pedagogy for Higher Education Grant Writing Instructional Methods in Higher Ed |
