Dr. Lee Miller Parks is an adaptive physical education specialist, and a professor of kinesiology at GCC. Dr. Parks is exceptional in working with special needs students. “I am a person who does not like routine,” she said in an interview. “In my teaching, I have ‘good’ days and I have ‘bad’ days, but even though I have the same students, I never have the same day twice. Over my career, I have come to believe that my students are actually the teachers, and I am constantly learning from them.’’ Dr. Parks puts in the time to get to know the abilities and disabilities of each student, and works to create a physical education plan that is best suited to them, as she has done with me. 

Having had the privilege of being her student since fall of 2021, she has been beyond caring and helpful with me and her other students. She motivates and inspires her students to be their best. I feel very blessed to have been her student.   

Dr. Parks has been teaching for 46 years. Her teaching career began in 1974, when she taught 7th and 9th graders. Meanwhile, on the side, she took up coaching sports, as well. After a while, she discovered her true calling to be in the world of adaptive physical education. Her journey at GCC began in 1991.

“When finishing my Master’s degree, I was the graduate assistant in charge of the Adapted Physical Education program at the University of New Mexico. The program I oversaw included adapted swimming and wheelchair sports,’’ Parks said in a written interview. She recalled upon graduating she was the only teacher in New Mexico to have obtained an Adapted Physical Education credential. My graduation coincided with the passage of Public Law 94-142 the Education for All Handicapped Children Act,” she elaborated. “This law was passed in 1975. I was hired immediately by the Albuquerque Public schools and started all of the adapted physical education programs K-12.”

Parks relocated to California in 1981 in pursuit of her Ph.D. in adaptive physical education at USC. During the completion of her dissertation, Parks obtained a full-time position in the Center for Achievement for the Physically Disabled at USC. After the completion of her Ph.D., she was hired simultaneously at Cal State Dominguez Hills and Glendale Community College.

At that time, GCC offered only one class, Parks said. After being hired full-time at GCC, she took the initiative of writing the curriculum for all of the adapted physical education courses for GCC. She played an instrumental role in the establishment of the Lifestyle Fitness Center.

Parks described the challenges and the rewards of being an adaptive physical education instructor. “The main challenge is to stay current on information about medical diagnoses, illnesses, treatments, and medications and how this affects exercise programs for my students,” Parks explained. “The main reward is when students benefit from the adapted physical activity they participate in in my class. The main challenge is to stay current on information about medical diagnoses, illnesses, treatments, and medications and how this affects exercise programs for my students.” Additionally, she described her main approach in working with the disabled community. “I work with the whole individual instead of focusing on their disability. My main approach to working with my students is a mantra of showing concern, maintaining consistency, providing reliability and personalization of programs for each student.” 

Parks provided insights on what she hopes more people would understand about working with individuals that have special needs. “People need to be able to look beyond a disability and see the whole individual. When a person is placed in a category based on illness or disability, that person suffers, as does society,” she said.

She was further questioned regarding what she loves most about her current role at GCC. “I am a person who does not like routine. In my teaching, I have ‘good’ days and I have ‘bad’ days, but even though I have the same students, I never have the same day twice. Over my career, I have come to believe that my students are actually the teachers, and I am constantly learning from them,” she replied.

Dr. Parks went on to discuss what the future holds for her here at GCC. “Continued outreach and expansion of the Adapted Physical Education program to be able to reach more students. So many students with disabilities do not know about the classes and how exercise is important for everyone,” she said.

She touched on one unique moment throughout her career as an adaptive physical educator where she felt that she was able to make a true difference in the life of a student. “Whether it is: rejoicing in non-swimmers learning to swim by themselves for the first time; designing personalized programs which enable students to maintain or regain their physical health; or celebrating the social, emotional, and physical rewards of students participation in sports and recreation activities (which they never thought that they could do),” she explained. “The unique moments continue to arrive each day with each student.” 

James Kim, one of her instructional aides, commented on his experience working with her. “My first experience working with Dr. Parks was back in 2018,” he said. “I was an intern for a semester through my Kinesiology class. After finishing classes at GCC, I continued as a volunteer until the pandemic hit. I just recently got a job as an instructional aide last semester. Actually two semesters ago,” Kim recalled. He  changed his  path of becoming a PT (physical therapist) to working with disabled population (Adapted Physical Education) because of the work he did with Dr. Parks. “It’s her philosophy on students’ needs that really made me want to pursue this career path.“ Creating a healthy and safe environment for students to excel in,is her goal. In addition to creating a community that provides students with the much needed emotional support in order for them to thrive. She is the best of the best and I’m lucky to be learning/working with her,” Kim concluded. 

David Fell, a DSPS program assistant, also a GCC alumni, has been an employee at the college for the past 25 years. He recalled being admitted to Glendale Community College after surviving a nearly fatal car accident almost 30 years ago. During this time, Fell enrolled in a few adaptive physical education classes that were taught by Parks,that ranged from Tai Chi, to sports, to gym. During this period, Fell volunteered as an assistant to Parks in some of her classes. The volunteer position turned into an employee position down the line. “Dr. Parks gives 110% to her students, friends and co-workers. I know firsthand as a past disabled student, a volunteer, and as an employee,” Fell stated. 

Fell continued by reflecting on how Parks has been able to create a setting to help improve the lives of her students. “This takes a great deal of time as each student is unique and so are program needs. Dr. Parks created a unique and safe space for students to interact as well,” Fell said. “I have great respect for her as both my boss and great friend. It’s been both an education and a pleasure to work for and with Dr. Parks.” 

Alina Martin can be reached at: [email protected]. Ms. Martin has previously received support from Dr. Lee Miller Parks in the form of a physical education plan.