Discover programs, grants, and awards designed to support and celebrate our educators—honoring dedication, inspiring growth, and strengthening our Parkway community.
Teacher of the Year
Each spring, the Parkway Alumni Association sponsors the Parkway Teacher of the Year recognition program. Staff members at each school select a teacher as their building teacher of the year. From this group, the district selects an elementary, middle-school and high-school teacher to represent their building levels. One of these three teachers is selected by the district to represent Parkway at the state-level competition for teacher of the year.
Teachers are selected for teacher-of-the-year honors based on a set of criteria determined by the district.
Albert Awards
The Albert Awards were created by the Parkway Alumni Association in honor of Dr. Albert Burr, a former teacher and coach who became principal first of Parkway Central High and later of West High. The program provides recognition to teachers who are within the first five years of their teaching career and have demonstrated a strong commitment to their profession. The awards are supported by the Parkway Alumni Association’s Educators Make a Difference Fund.
Throughout his half-century in education, Burr motivated countless educators to find their potential as educators through his professional practice and public speaking. A retired teacher, coach, and long-distinguished principal in the Parkway School District, he inspired his colleagues to set high standards for themselves in education and in life.
Light of Parkway
The Parkway Alumni Association Light of Parkway Award was created to recognize Parkway operations (support) staff members who have helped to create a positive and caring environment for the people they serve in Parkway.
The award honors the memory of Sandy Finch, a former Parkway bus driver known for her exceptionally upbeat attitude and helpful interactions with staff members, students and parents.
The awards are supported by the Sandy Finch Light of Parkway Fund.
Cerutti Family Foundation
The Cerutti Family Foundation was created to honor the memory of Tim and Mike Cerutti. The Cerutti Brothers loved teaching and bringing out the best in every student and teacher. The Foundation has a mission to have a positive impact on the lives of students through the funding of scholarships. By partnering with the PAA, the Foundation will be funding two initiatives for Parkway teachers and students.
- Continuing education scholarships for teachers
- Outdoor School scholarships for sixth grade students
Suzy Zucker Esstman Educational Grant for Parkway Teachers
The Suzy Esstman Charitable Fund was created in memory of Suzy Zucker Esstman [PNH ’81, Alumni HOF ’08] by her family. Its mission is to improve the lives of people in our local community in a way that embodies the spirit and embraces the values of Suzy Esstman. Suzy loved growing and building communities, and one of those was Parkway. She championed ideas which created educational experiences for students and pushed their thinking in fun ways, such as the Pop Open a Book summer reading initiative at Green Trails Elementary.