Mr. Parker is elated to bring his love and enthusiasm for nature and the Wood River Valley to Syringa. After growing up in the valley and graduating from Wood River High School, Mr. Parker spent some time travelling abroad and domestically, and lived in Oregon and Washington before returning back to Hailey. After returning home, he got married and purchased a house where he enjoys gardening, painting, and working on DIY home improvement projects. When he isn’t fixing up his house, he loves to spend time outdoors. In the winter he is an avid snowboarder, both on Bald Mountain and in the backcountry. Mr. Dan and his wife enjoy spending the summers hiking and backpacking to the many beautiful alpine lakes and trails Idaho offers, as well as camping, biking, and swimming.
Mr. Parker’s professional journey began when he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in software development. After several years designing and creating software for local and national companies, he started looking for work that felt more personally rewarding. Mr. Parker felt lucky to be able to spend most of the 25/26 school year substitute teaching at Syringa, where he taught all grade levels and subjects, and really developed a love for educating youth. Being able to help students in need, watching them grow and overcome challenges, and developing personal relationships with many of the students felt far more rewarding than his previous career.
Mr. Parker is excited to hit the ground running for the upcoming school year, having already built a great relationship with both the students and staff alike. He is overjoyed to be a part of a great community and team, and is looking forward to participating and leading some of the many fantastic festivals, traditions, and outdoor trips Syringa offers.
Fun Fact: Mr. Parker spent a gap year after high school living and working in New Zealand on a working holiday visa. He hopes to travel there again with his wife in the near future.