In a heartwarming tribute on September 30, 2024, the Hackensack Public Schools community gathered to celebrate the extraordinary life of Nellie K. Parker, a true pioneer in education. Picture this: a room buzzing with energy as people from all walks of life came together to honor the woman who broke through racial barriers and changed the face of education in Bergen and Passaic Counties.
Imagine being the first Black teacher in not one, but two counties! That was Nellie K. Parker, a trailblazer who didn't just teach – she inspired. Her impact was so profound that in 1981, the Maple Avenue School was renamed in her honor, cementing her place in Hackensack's history.
But Parker wasn't just about textbooks and classrooms. She had a unique gift for translating the harmony of music into the fabric of life and education. It's as if she conducted an orchestra of change, with each student playing a vital part in her symphony of progress.
As panelists shared stories of Parker's influence, you could feel the ripple effect of her work spreading through generations. Her legacy isn't just a name on a building – it's alive in the spirit of Hackensack's educational community today. Panelists included: Lillian Whitaker, Principal Nellie K. Parker School; Brenda Perkins, former parishioner and friend; Dr. Thomas McBryde, Hackensack Public Schools Superintendent; Anthony Marseglia, former superintendent Hackensack Public Schools; Howard Williams, former Hackensack Board of Education Trustee; Albert Dib, Hackensack Historian; Rosemary Flowers-Jackson, former Hackensack educator and Lara Pollitt, representing Bergen County Commissioners.
This celebration wasn’t just about looking back; it was about inspiring future generations to carry forward Parker’s torch of innovation, inclusivity, and harmony in education. Nellie K. Parker may have left us, but her melody of change continues to resonate through the halls of Hackensack schools and beyond.
