#MNPSVoices: Dr. Parris Malone, Dean Of Students, John Early Museum Magnet Middle

From the Metro Nashville Public Schools:

January 15, 2021

#MNPSVoices: Dr. Parris Malone, Dean of Students, John Early Museum Magnet Middle

Dr. Parris Malone managed to merge two important passions to chart a wonderful career for herself that supports and informs students.

From a young age, Malone always knew she wanted to become a teacher. In addition, she recognized that knowing your history was an important component to gaining knowledge into the future.

“I think it is important to teach our students why they have a basic right to walk into a restaurant, have a milkshake and sit at whatever seat is available, no matter their race,” Malone said, invoking history in which Nashville’s civil rights activists played an essential role more than 60 years ago.

As a young student, Malone attended a summer program at Brown University, where she enrolled in a course called Leadership of the Civil Rights Movement. After having the opportunity to interact with those directly connected to the movement, she fell in love with history.

“That course solidified that history was the major for me,” said Malone, the Dean of Students at John Early Museum Magnet Middle.

Malone, like many other Nashvillians, is a transplant from Memphis, where she graduated from high school before matriculating to Tennessee State University. She was the first in her immediate family to graduate from college in 2014, when she obtained a bachelor’s degree in history.

After graduation, she was hired by Metro Nashville Public Schools, where she taught middle school world history and social studies at John Early. Malone would go on to receive two master’s degrees, one in teacher leadership from Concordia University and one in education from Trevecca Nazarene University, where she also earned a doctoral degree.

“When I initially started with MNPS, I had a lot of support from veteran teachers like my district-assigned mentor, Mrs. (Lyndell) Edmondson,” Malone said.

Like most new teachers, Malone was unaware of what it was really like to be a classroom teacher until she was actually in the room.

“You can take as many classes and workshops as you want, but nothing prepares you for classroom teaching except being in the classroom,” Malone said.

She credits Edmondson with providing the guidance she needed when she was new to the profession.

“She was like a work mom who provided an outlet for me to express myself each day,” Malone continued.

Edmondson says she saw Malone more as a collaborator than a mentee.

“Parris is a true professional, but more importantly, she is an incredible educator. She is dedicated to teaching the whole child. She meets the scholars where they are and works innovatively to promote their academic growth. Parris is a talented and dedicated teacher!” Edmondson said.

Malone taught history at John Early for six years in addition to serving as the school’s social studies coach before transitioning into her current role as dean of students for the 2020-21 school year. She admits that her first year in the new role has been somewhat unconventional in the virtual setting.

Malone, like so many other district employees, has expanded her role as dean of students to support families in whatever ways possible. She still serves as the social studies coach and teaches the subject as needed.

During this pandemic season, she and fellow co-workers strive to live by their school’s motto, “Together We Are Enough.” They have assisted with coordinating food giveaways, diaper drives, SEL supports and even providing door-to-door incentives for student achievements.

When asked what her favorite subject to teach is, Malone stated that she enjoys teaching her students American history.

Malone desires to share with her students knowledge that was imparted to her that made learning history exciting. Moreover, she does not want students to simply learn about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks and their participation in the civil rights movement. Malone implores students to dive deep into what made the movement successful, the unsung heroes behind the movement and why their roles were pivotal.

“I want students to find out who created the bail funds, who made the sandwiches and flyers or who provided the non-violent trainings that Dr. King advocated for,” Malone said. Most importantly, she wants students to know why Dr. King participated in a movement for civil rights.

As history suggests, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was denied his civil rights because of the color of his skin. However, Malone wants her students to know that no matter the color of their skin, socio-economic background or side of town they live on, they are entitled to basic foundational principles - civil rights.

“As American citizens, students have basic human rights, and that includes not just an equal but also an equitable education,” Malone said.

When Malone is not busy being the dean of students, teaching social studies or coaching teachers, she enjoys spending time with family and friends via FaceTime and Google Duo as well as reading and binge-watching historical documentaries.

This press release was produced by the Metro Nashville Public Schools. The views expressed are the author's own.