My name is Polly Parrish.  As a teacher of Fairhope Intermediate School, I teach at the WINGS Day Treatment Program in Fairhope, Alabama.  WINGS is a therapeutic alternative program, a collaborative between Baldwin County Public Schools and AltaPointe Health Care Services.  I have been teaching at the WINGS Program since 2001.  Prior to teaching at the WINGS Program, I taught for six years at George Hall Elementary School in Mobile, Alabama.

One of my favorite quotes is by Scott Hayden in which he states, "teachers have three loves:  love of learning, love of learners and the love of bringing the first two loves together."

Educational Awards/Honor Societies 

International Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Clarissa Hug Teacher of the Year Award, 2017;

Alfa Teacher of the Month - District 1, Alabama State Department of Education, 2007;

Practioner Presentation Award, International Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Developmental Disabilities, 2006;

Teacher of the Year, 1997-98, Geroge Hall Elementary School, Mobile, AL;

The University of South Alabama, Department of Special Education, Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year, 1993-94;

The Univerity of South Alabama, Department of Special Education, Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year, 1992-93

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society;

Kappa Delta Pi;

Alpha Chi National Honor Scholarship Society

Professional Activities
Co-Chair, International Council for Exceptional Children Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Practitioner Committee, 2016-2017
 
President, International Council for Exceptional Children Division on Developmental Disabilities, 2007-08; 
           
Secretary, Alabama Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children, 2002-2009, and 1996-98;
           
President, Alabama Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children, 2000-2001;
        
Treasurer, Alabama Council for Exceptional Children, Council for Children with Behavior Disorders, 1995-present;
           
Secretary, Alabama Council for Exceptional Children Division of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, 1999-01, 1997-99,1995-97;
           
President, International Council for Exceptional Children Division on Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, 1998-99;

Professional Presentations
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Boston, MA, 2017. (DI Next Level:  Differentiated Instruction for Students with Complex Learning Needs);
 
Twelfth Biennial Conference on Developmental Disabilities, Maui, HI, 2010,
(A Review and Comparison of Various States’ Alternative Assessments for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities);
 
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Seattle, WA, 2009.  (A Review and Comparison of Various States’ Alternative Assessments for Students with the Most Significant Cognitive Disabilities);
 
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Division on Developmental Disabilities Showcase Session, Boston, MA, 2008.  (Aligning Curriculum and Assessment to Content Standards);
 
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Louisville, KY, 2007. (Planning “Backwards” in Order to Go Forward:  Aligning Curriculum and            Differentiated Instruction);
 
Tenth Biennial Conference on Developmental Disabilities, Kona, HI, 2007, (Aligning Curriculum to Meet Standards);
 
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Salt Lake City, UT, 2006.  (Aligning Curriculum to Meet Standards:  Getting Started);
        
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Baltimore, MD, 2005.  (Differentiating Instruction to Meet the Needs of All Students);
        
Ninth Biennial Conference on Developmental Disabilities, Las Vegas, NV, 2004, (Using Wraparound Services to Meet the Needs of Students with Cognitive and Mental Health Needs);
        
Alabama Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children Super Conference, Tuscaloosa, AL, 2000, (ACCESS Program);
        
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Charlotte, NC, 1999, (Adapting Multiple Intelligences for Classroom Instruction);
        

Southeast Regional Council for Children with Behavior Disorders Conference, Gulf Shores, AL, 1998, (Teachers’ Perspectives and Experiences as Related to Inclusion);
        
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Minneapolis, MN, 1998, (Meeting Educational Needs); 1998, (Teachers’ Perspectives and Experiences as Related to Inclusion);   
           
International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Orlando, FL, 1996, (Multilevel Instruction);