William Parker is the author of Pause. Breathe. Flourish. - Living Your Best Life as an Educator. Will is the founder of Principal Matters, LLC, an author and speaker who uses his expertise in school culture, leadership, and communication to equip educators with solutions and strategies for motivating students, inspiring teachers, and reaching communities. He also proudly serves as the executive director of Oklahoma’s Association of Secondary Principals and Oklahoma’s Middle Level Educator Association. He is the former principal of Skiatook High School, near Tulsa, Oklahoma.
An Oklahoma educator since 1993, Will was named Broken Arrow Public School’s South Intermediate High School Teacher of the Year in 1998. He became an assistant principal in 2004 and was named the Oklahoma Assistant Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals in 2012. As principal of a Title I school, his school’s innovative approaches to collaboration, remediation, and mentoring resulted in marked improvements in student performance.
William serves schools through professional development and leadership support. He is regularly asked to present at K-12 professional development events, education conferences, leadership teams, and graduate classes on effective practices, organizational management, and strategies for enhancing school communication. His books, resources, blog posts, and weekly podcast episodes can be found at his website. Find out more about Will at his website or contact him by email.
In this wonderful book, Parker provides specific tips to help educators manage time effectively, share knowledge with others, stay fresh intellectually, bolster mental strength and maintain perspective, prioritize relationships and physical health, and leave a strong legacy. If that sounds like a tall order, it is, but Parker pulls it off as only he can—with grace and humility. Every educator should read Pause. Breathe. Flourish.
-Phyllis L. Fagell, School Counselor, Author of Middle School Matters, and Washington Post journalist
One voice I listen to in education that I find consistently genuine and inspiring is the voice of Will Parker. In Pause. Breathe. Flourish., Parker shares a generous book, weaving together personal anecdotes with practical advice and next steps for all educators.
Daniel Bauer, Founder, Better Leaders Better Schools