Reception Honors New Elementary School Namesakes

Several former colleagues and students stopped by a reception April 14 to help congratulate David and Paula Parker, namesakes of Sherman ISD’s new elementary school. The new campus under construction in northwest Sherman will be named for the couple, who are longtime former SISD educators.

The Parkers were also introduced during the regular School Board meeting and had the opportunity to meet and thank Board members who chose to name the school in their honor following a community nomination and committee review process. A larger ribbon cutting and community celebration will be scheduled in the fall when the new school opens.  

David and Paula Parker served SISD for 64 combined years before their retirement in 2007. David is a former teacher and worked as principal at Perrin Elementary, Crutchfield Elementary and Piner Middle School. Paula is a longtime former teacher and served at multiple schools, including a 21-year tenure at Dillingham Intermediate School.

“David and Paula shaped countless lives during their years at Sherman ISD,” said Wendy Vellotti, SISD Board of Trustees President. “Naming the new elementary in their honor is a testament to their tremendous contributions and recognizes the support and guidance they provided students, both inside and outside the classroom.”

The 110-thousand-square-foot campus, which will open for the 2025-26 school year, will be known as David and Paula Parker Elementary or Parker Elementary for short. It is being built at the northwest corner of Heritage Ranch Trail and Plainview Road, north of Highway 82, in the Heritage Ranch development.

The campus will feature a 770-square foot design lab for hands-on learning experiences, easy access to outdoor spaces, and a library equipped with modern learning technology and space for innovation and creativity. Ashley Woods, current principal of Wakefield Elementary, will serve as the principal after that campus closes this summer.

See below for more information about the many contributions of David and Paula Parker. 

More About David & Paula Parker

David first started his 34-year career at SISD as a teacher in 1973 and taught at Dillingham Middle School and Sherman High School. In that time, his students participated in a state typing competition, and he was the SHS activities director and sponsor of the Billy Bob Boys. He was also honorably discharged from the Army Reserves as a sergeant first class in 1979.

David transitioned to administration in 1986 and served at the middle school and elementary level, including 14 years as principal at Crutchfield Elementary. He retired as Piner Middle School principal in 2007. Outside of the classroom, David served on a state Blue Ribbon committee chaired by H. Ross Perot, and he is the Assistant Scout Master of Boy Scouts Troop 1 in Sherman.

Paula is a lifelong teacher of 30 years and began her career in SISD at Piner in 1977. She served at Crutchfield and Washington Elementary before moving to Dillingham Intermediate School in 1986, where she taught for 21 years until she retired in 2007.

Paula made a difference during her time at Dillingham. She was named Teacher of the Year in 1998. She worked with the community and SISD Board of Trustees to create a colonial house that served Dillingham students for years, and she was named Teacher of the Year in 1998. Paula also started “Hero Day” in 2000 honoring veterans and first responders. Over the years, she took many students on summer trips to historic cities such as Williamsburg, Washington DC, Salem and Plymouth.

Both have been Sherman residents for 51 years. They regularly volunteer at Grand Central Station and made mission trips to Ukraine in 2014 and 2018.