Greetings from the Media Center

As we return to school following the pandemic, we know it is going to be an unusual start to the school year, but the Hairston staff are here to help!

It is my pleasure to be your media coordinator for the 7th year. I was formally at Dudley and Western Guilford High Schools and served as a substitute in media centers and classrooms for several years.

Prior to coming to the field of education, I spent more than 30 years at Syngenta Crop Protection in the Research & Development and IT departments in a technology role supporting the research groups, mostly field research scientists, providing them with computers, training and ongoing daily support, a job I loved dearly because of the awesome team of people who became friends, not just clients.  It is my hope I can bring that same passion to a similar role in middle school.  

The role of libraries and librarians has radically changed over the years due in part to the evolving technology we have all become accustomed to using each day. My role is to blend that with the traditional information housed in databases. Librarians can educate everyone about using it while helping to enrich a research experience as well as educating everyone on how to better use the technology of today.  Since Hairston is one of the middle school programs running on a 1:1 computer to student program, librarians can enhance the use of these devices and offer each person the opportunity to receive a richer reward from the devices and systems they can access.

Over the summer of 2021, I completed a Master’s degree in STEM Science Education at NC State, then plan to continue to get a PhD in STEM Education or in the field of technology. I guess you could say I am truly a lifelong learner, inspired by my upbringing, an overall general curiosity, and a love of science. I hope to give young people experience, since this will be my 6th college diploma or certificate. 

Please let me help you have a rewarding time at The Hairston.

 My degrees and certifications include:

• BS in biology and chemistry-double major - Methodist University
• Library teacher certification - East Carolina University
• Masters - library and information science - UNC Greensboro
• Certificate in Geographic Information Systems - Penn State University
• Masters – STEM Science Education – North Carolina State University
• Fall 2022, PhD in curriculum & instruction STEM biological sciences – Texas Tech University

Feel free to contact me using email: parkerl@gcsnc.com  or by calling the school at: (336) 370-8280

 Leonard F. Parker, Jr.