Aaron Parker Named One of Ohio's 2027 Teachers of the Year

Aaron Parker has spent years changing lives at Aiken High School. Now, one of Ohio's highest honors for educators is shining a spotlight on his work.

The Ohio State Board of Education has named Parker, Aiken High School's Agribusiness and Production teacher, one of Ohio's 2027 Teachers of the Year.

The honor recognizes teachers who demonstrate excellence in the classroom, inspire students and serve as leaders in public education across Ohio.

"We are extremely humbled, honored and proud of this recognition," Parker said. "This award belongs to so many people who invest their time and energy into our students every day. I hope it encourages more people to learn about Aiken's Agribusiness and Production program and see what's possible when students are given opportunities to learn, lead and prepare for meaningful careers."

Superintendent Shauna Murphy said the recognition demonstrates Parker's devotion to students.

"This recognition is a testament to Mr. Parker's commitment to students and the meaningful relationships he builds every day," Murphy said. "His passion for teaching, his innovative approach to learning and his dedication to helping students discover their potential embody the very best of Cincinnati Public Schools. We are incredibly proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor with him."

For many people who have worked alongside Parker, the announcement confirmed what they have known for years.

Among them is Dr. Kate Carlier Currie, executive director of Cincinnati nonprofit MakeTank Inc. and leader of the Illustrated Memoir Project. Currie has spent years partnering with schools and community organizations to create innovative educational opportunities for students. After working alongside Parker for several years, she nominated him for the statewide honor.

In her nomination, Currie called Parker "the most dedicated teacher I have ever encountered."

She first met Parker in 2019 through RefugeeConnect while developing a literacy and self-efficacy program for English learner students. Community partners recommended Parker as the ideal educator to help launch the effort.

"Truer words were never spoken," she wrote.

According to Currie, Parker welcomed community organizations into his classroom and steadily sought ways to create opportunities for students. He made sure newly arrived English learner students had the support they needed to succeed, from school supplies to transportation guidance to connections with classmates who helped them feel at home.

Over the past seven years, Parker has helped grow Aiken High School's English learner program from 1 student to more than 275.

His impact expands well beyond a traditional classroom.

Students in Parker's program have roasted coffee, built canoes with community partners, competed in cross-country, and developed leadership skills through projects that connect classroom learning with real-world experiences.

One of his signature accomplishments is the Aiken Farm.

What began with abandoned raised garden beds has become an outdoor learning location where students raise crops, care for animals and prepare for careers in agriculture and related fields. The farm originally allowed students to grow produce native to their home countries, helping strengthen connections among families, cultures and the school community.

The learning continues well after the final school bell rings each spring.

Students participate in work-based learning experiences throughout the year while taking part in projects at the Aiken Farm, the developing Shuman Urban Wilderness Center and a Hamilton County composting facility. Those experiences prepare students for college, careers and lifelong success.

Parker's recognition also brings attention to the work happening in classrooms across Cincinnati Public Schools. Students have opportunities to explore careers in agriculture, health care, information technology, manufacturing, construction and many other fields while they're still in high school.

Currie said Parker's impact on students is unlike anything she has witnessed during her career.

"I have a PhD in educational leadership, but I have never seen a more committed or dedicated educational leader in my life than Aaron Parker," she wrote. "He is always there for his kids."

Parker will serve as one of Ohio's 2027 Teacher of the Year ambassadors while progressing to the next phase of the statewide competition. He is one of only 11 educators statewide to receive the recognition and the only educator from southwestern Ohio selected this year. Four finalists will be announced later this summer.