September 4, 2025 – Get your steps in as we go on a walk with Dr. Parish and her good boy Charlie. We had 10 questions, got 10 answers, and Charlie seemed to have a pretty good time, as well!

Q: Your dog Charlie looks like a good boy! We hear he might get to visit schools?

Yes! The principal at Landergin Elementary asked if Charlie and I would come read a story to the students. Charlie is an English cream Golden Retriever, and he is so fun. We cannot wait to visit Landergin together.

Q: What’s #1 on your bucket list?

Hawaii. I have never been, and my husband has never been. I can remember the first time my sister got to play volleyball for Baylor, and she played in Hawaii, and my husband’s uncle had a connection with a lady who was born and raised there, but that’s the closest we’ve both been to actually being in Hawaii.

Q: Do you have a favorite back-to-school tradition with your family?

Even to this day, both of my girls are teachers, and they still send me first-day-of-school pictures. It makes me proud that they pose and celebrate that special day each year.

Q: What was the first job you ever had?

My first real-world job was in telemarketing. I worked at a call center, where I cold-called potential customers to sell them tickets to Harlem Globetrotters basketball games.

Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in education?

One of my absolute most favorite people in the world was my grandfather. We called him Papa G, and he was a superintendent in Estelline and then later in Ralls, TX. Just his impact on people, whether it was at church or at school or in the community, people were happy to be around him and he was happy being with them. He was such a good man.

Q: Was being a superintendent ever a part of your ‘plan’?

I first began at the public school level as a teacher, then went to the university level, and then worked in research with MD Anderson Cancer Center, but public education was calling me back. I think education has always been special to me.

Q: Why do you want to lead Amarillo ISD?

When I was in Darrouzette for three years in my first ever superintendent position, I noticed that everything in the Texas Panhandle revolves around Amarillo. Whether it’s going to the doctor, or to eat somewhere, or to the movies, or big sporting and fine arts events, Amarillo is the place to be. But more than that, it was when I was younger that we traveled to play high school teams in and around Amarillo. We got to know the kind, generous, and lovely people. I think they are the heartbeat of Amarillo.

Q: Besides leading AISD, which probably occupies much of your time, do you have any hobbies?

I always make time for yoga, it’s a very important part of my life. I go on walks with Charlie, so he and I are out walking and jogging. I love to read books, it’s a connection with my family, who are also big readers. I love to watch movies and listen to music.

Q: What has been your most memorable conversation?

One of those conversations was with an AISD student ambassador. We had all met as a group, and the student said, “Thank you for taking the time to get to know us, to know our names, and to listen to us.” We don’t understand the impact that it has. My most memorable conversation with a staff member was with the theatre teacher at Palo Duro. They are partnering with Caprock to perform “Descendants,” so we had a great conversation about that, and I am looking forward to seeing the performance when it hits the stage.

Q: What do you hope people say about you as superintendent?

I hope they say I embody the joy of learning. I am a learner, and I think we have to maintain that positivity and just show the joy of education, and hopefully that becomes contagious to those around us. I want people to have hope for continual improvement in life, hope for good things to come, and trust that we’re doing great things. So, I am going to keep telling our story and bragging about the work that we do in public education, and specifically in Amarillo.