Page 28 - Senior Link Magazine Spring 2021- Online Magazine

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Toni Parrish

Not Just Another Teacher

by Sterling Myers

oni Parrish is a follower of but also helped my younger
God and a great leader; she brothers who are also dyslexic.
Tloves everyone around her She taught us that it is ok to be
and has the biggest heart on the different; in fact, it’s even better.
planet. Mrs. Parrish is a Dyslexia
Therapist at Scottish Rite Learning There were days after school when
Center of West Texas, helping kids, I would be feeling really down
not just to learn how to read and and didn’t think I had the courage
write, but also building up their to keep going, but as soon as I
confidence to go out into the real entered her presence, she would
world. give me a big hug, wipe the tears
from under my eyes, and tell me
After teaching 17 years, she that I was born to do great things.
devoted herself to helping students I can’t think of anyone who has
with dyslexia, encouraging them helped me this impactfully. I also
to never give up and to reach for love her for grounding her beliefs
academic success. She helps her in the Bible. She is a woman after
students recognize their innate God’s own heart, and it always
intelligence, easing that mysterious for others and goes out of her way shows. She loved to pray during
burden which confines them. to help those in need. She blessed my tutoring sessions, giving all
When her students burst with me, and I’m glad God put her in honor to Him.
confidence, she rejoices at their my path. Toni has been a part of
success. One of her favorite things my family since I was diagnosed I remember the day I got to walk
is hearing a student, who was with dyslexia in third grade. I across the stage to graduate
barely able to sound out a four- struggled with reading and writing from Scottish Rite. I was a shy
letter word, start fluently reading and was bullied almost every day little girl who was excited to see
words like “thermochronologist” for being “stupid.” My confidence where the world could take me.
and telling her the definitions. had evaporated into thin air, but I remember walking across to
Mrs. Parrish restored it, making me grab my certificate. Everyone was
Toni is important, not just to me feel special. She not only helped clapping. I could hear my family
and my family, but to everyone me reach my hopes and dreams yelling from the sidelines, but the
who crosses her path. She sacrifices biggest thing I remember was Toni

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Lubbock Senior Link