Urbandale Middle School's Jon Parrott Recognized as Chamber Educator of the Year

Juli Yost had to keep a secret from her husband, Jon Parrott, for two weeks.

But it was worth it when Parrott was surprised by the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce Wednesday afternoon during an Urbandale Middle School assembly.

Chamber president Becky DeVries asked students to guess who was being honored.

It didn't take long after hearing the educator had been at the school since the Earth started to cool, and that he was growing through his hair for students to begin chanting "Mr. Parrott."

The chanting contented as Parrot made his way to the front of the gym to accept the honor of being the Urbandale Chamber 2012 Educator of the Year.

He thanked his students, fellow teachers and administrators for making the honor possible.

"Thank you, I work with the best administration and staff possible," he said. "This is such a nice surprise. Mostly this is because of 550 students, you are the reason I am successful."

Yost said her husband was deserving of the honor for his dedication to teaching.

"He is truly passionate about teaching," she said. "He loves it, he's always trying to talk to young students about teaching."

Parrott's sons, Alex, 19, and Nick, 22, didn't have their father as a teacher, but at times wished they had.

"I've met a lot of kids who have had him," Alex said. "A lot of them say they loved him."

Nick said his dad is always looking for new ways to educate students.

The Chamber's annual dinner where Parrott will be honored is set for Feb. 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Tuscany Event Center.

The Urbandale Chamber of Commerce will also honor the Citizen of the Year, Business of the Year and Ambassador of the Year.