ELIZABETH CITY – The Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Board of Education announced the selection and election of Dr. Keith Parker as the next superintendent of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools (ECPPS). Dr. Parker will take office on July 1, 2022.
Dr. Parker is a native of Four Oaks and a 2004 graduate of South Johnston High School near Four Oaks.
During the search process, the board carefully reviewed applications from a diverse field of thirty excellent candidates from eleven different states and territories. Although many qualified candidates applied, the board felt that Dr. Parker’s experience, leadership, and dedication to students and staff would best serve ECPPS students, employees, and the community for years to come.
“The Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Board of Education looks forward to working with Dr. Parker,” said board chair Sharon Warden. “His energy, his enthusiasm, and his wide range of experience in the classroom, as a principal, and at the central office level make him a great choice for our district.”
Dr. Parker has enjoyed a successful career in public education spanning thirteen years in North Carolina. He currently serves as assistant superintendent of Dare County Schools (DCS), where he has also worked as digital communications director and secondary school director. Over the last five years, Dr. Parker has played a pivotal role by engaging stakeholders to write a new district strategic plan, improving student academic achievement, and increasing the district’s graduation rate.
Dr. Parker began his career as a high school social studies teacher in Edgecombe County Public Schools (ECPS). In 2014, he was named the North Carolina Social Studies Teacher of the Year. He then went on to serve as principal at Martin Millennium Academy, the first global K-8 public school in Eastern North Carolina.
Dr. Parker has an impressive academic background as well. He received his bachelor’s degree in history education and master’s degree in education from East Carolina University (ECU). He went on to earn a second master’s in school administration from North Carolina State University. He then returned to ECU to earn his doctorate in educational leadership.
Dr. Parker is thankful for the opportunity to lead the district and looks forward to becoming part of the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank community. “I am grateful to the ECPPS Board of Education for extending to me the opportunity to serve as the next superintendent. I am honored to have been trusted with the responsibility of leading and collaborating with our staff, students, families, and community,” said Dr. Parker. “Our young people have incredible hopes and dreams for their future. They are creative, optimistic, and they dream big about how they can change the world. I believe deeply in a possible future for our kids, a future where transformed schools work for all of them. I am committed to working in partnership with the ECPPS community to ensure that all our students are successful.”
Dr. Parker is the son of Brenda and the late Chester Parker of Four Oaks.
Well deserved Dr. Parker!! You definitely make Four Oaks proud!
Wow! Congratulations Dr. Keith Parker! I taught you way back in the Preschool program at South Johnston High School when you were 3/4 yrs. old. What a blessing it is to see you doing so well and in education where it is so vitally needed. Best of luck to you and your new journey as superintendent!
Congratulations Dr. Parker!
This is great congratulations on a high achieving johnston county native,very proud of you
Very proud to see this. Congratulations on all of your success. I know it comes from hard work. I knew you when you were just a little child.
Congratulations to Dr. Keith Parker!
Four Oaks native and South Johnston graduate.