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By Mike Barnhardt
Enterprise Record

K’lea Parks spent one day in the pre-K classroom of Felicia McClamrock and she was hooked.
She wanted to be a pre-K teacher in the Davie County School System, where her mother, Crystal Shoffner, has worked for the past 20 years. In fact, it was a desire to be on the same schedule as her daughter that led Crystal to seek employment with the schools.
K’lea, a softball star at Davie High and later at NC Central University, went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in behavioral and social sciences.
She was working for a private company, assigned to a certain child. “I was here (Shady Grove Elementary) working with my kid. “Just watching Felicia made me want to become a pre-school teacher.”
She liked Felicia’s personality, and the way she interacted with students, the way she cared about each student, the way each statement and activity was intentional.
“I could not imagine a better job. I get to come to work each day and play,” K’lea said. “I’m having fun. There’s never a time we’re not laughing. Teaching pre-K is so rewarding. They’re so innocent.”
And honest.
You never know what will come out of the mouth of a 3 or 4 year old; but you can bet it is usually the truth – or the truth as they see it.
“This is the age that their brain reaches full size, and the kids make some of the craziest statements.”
One student was obviously upset one day. She asked what was wrong. “They’re too many lights on the Christmas tree.”
Another student had just correctly recited the four seasons, and yet another spoke up and said: “You forgot about deer season, turkey season …”
“It’s so amazing the things they will say. Did I tell you that my job is fun?”
It all makes mom proud.
“I’ve tried to tell K’lea that teamwork, being positive, seeing the glass as half full are all important,” Crystal said. “I’m proud of her.”
Crystal was working in the banking industry when she decided to apply for a job with the schools. K’lea had just started, and she wanted to be on the same schedule as her daughter.
“With K’lea being my first priority, I never wanted to miss a beat. From the classroom to school functions to the softball field, I was able to be a part of it all. I am so thankful for the memories,” she said.
“Now, I get to watch her live out her dreams in the classroom and make an impact on her students.”
It didn’t hurt that Crystal loves her job as a benefits specialist with the schools. She meets new hires, and let’s them know that Davie County – and it’s school system – are special.
“That’s the beauty of working here,” Crystal said. “I let new hires know … my husband went to school here. I went to school here. I want them to know them by name. We’re family, we’re still small enough that we can do that.
“Davie County really is a great place to be.”