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\u201cI am the student\u2019s advocate. Whenever they have a need \u2014 whether social, emotional, academic, or even physical, for things they need for school or at home \u2014I am the go-to person to help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parson also works closely with students whose home lives are a little more complex. She brings a much-needed perspective to her counseling, especially as a mother of a son with autism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThat gives me a different perspective as a parent when it comes to helping meet those academic or even social needs,\u201d she explained. \u201cSometimes, those meetings can be difficult for a parent. I know they were for me initially, so having that perspective helps me, too.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of Parson\u2019s favorite parts of her job is working with students on projects that help them grow emotionally. For instance, throughout the school year, she organizes lunch groups and encourages friendships. Each February, she leads a school-wide kindness project celebrating Kindness Month, where students learn the value of simple acts of kindness. This year\u2019s Kindness Project saw them helping 5 Loaves 4 Kids, a local nonprofit here in Tullahoma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parson is also involved with the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce\u2019s Creating Educational Opportunities program. This initiative bridges the school and the local community, where students can connect with local businesses and learn the value of giving back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This program empowers children and helps them find their place in the community. Parson explained that the students\u2019 artwork displayed in places like the hospital or Chick-fil-A shows them that their contributions matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cKids are so proud when somebody brags about their work. It just feels nice to have somebody believe in you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Every month, Traders Bank hosts an event at the school where students can deposit money and learn about the banking process. The bank also holds a coloring contest, with the winner receiving real money added to their account, giving students hands-on experience with financial literacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robert E. Lee Elementary also collaborates with Morning Pointe Senior Living every fall for an annual food drive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis past year, we collected around 2,400 items for the canned food drive in November. Our goal was 2,000,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe want it to be a true partnership, where we help and make each other better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Parson has a gift for helping kids succeed in their studies and develop into kind, thoughtful people. Through her words and actions, she wants them to know that she values them and will continue to support them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAll of our kids have opportunities to achieve the goals they want to set for themselves, and we want to help them reach them.\u201d GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" ANDREA PARSON leaned in at a corner lunch table in Robert E. Lee Elementary\u2019s cafeteria. Her genuine smile set the tone as students opened up about their day. Between bites of lunch, she helped them untangle conflicts, celebrate small victories, and build friendships. Parson\u2019s gift for connecting with kids makes her a familiar face in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":23846,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23844","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/04\/Story-1-photo1-2-1-1024x683.jpg\")