Kathleen Parker

Principal, ACG Senior College 

Background

After completing a double degree in English and Education at the University of Waikato, Kathleen began her career as a Primary Teacher with a very specific goal; to be a secondary school teacher. She had carefully planned to teach J3, then middle school, intermediate and finally secondary school. The philosophy was that she would have a solid foundation for secondary teaching in English. It is unfortunate that she was seen to be 'just great' with young students and every year instead of progressing upwards in age she moved down until after three years she reached New Entrants.

This necessitated a radical step and she jumped to secondary English over a weekend and has never looked back. She gained her first promotion after three years at Melville High School and became Head of Drama at Cambridge High School. Within two years, she was seconded to the University of Waikato in the School of Education where later gained tenure and worked as a lecturer for seven years teaching English, Video Production and Drama.

ACG Career

A move to Auckland meant going back into the classroom, something she never regrets. A year at Kristin as Head of Drama led to joining Senior College thirteen years ago to teach Drama and Senior English. From there she became a Dean, Assistant Principal, Deputy Principal and then Principal.