Brandman graduate student dies in Las Vegas shooting
The Brandman University community is mourning the loss of one of its School of Education graduates, Jennifer Parks, who died in the mass shooting in Las Vegas Sunday night.
Parks completed her Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Brandman. She also earned her elementary teaching credential at the university’s Antelope Valley campus.
“She was committed to the teaching profession and inspiring young children. Her loss will profoundly affect our community,” said Christine Zeppos, dean of Brandman’s School of Education.
According to a statement from the Westside Union School District, Parks had just started her third year of teaching kindergarten at Anaverde Hills School. “Her spirit was something to behold. The students who were instructed by her knew what it was to love learning as Jennifer gave them the sense of wonder, curiosity, and excitement about all they did,” the statement said.
Regina Rossall, superintendent of Westside Union School District, and a Brandman University advisory board member and professor called Parks an enthusiastic student.
“You could tell that learning to be a teacher was something about which she had great passion. A vivacious young woman, you just knew that Jennifer was going to absorb all the learning possible so that when she worked with her students she could apply that knowledge, and make the classroom a place of joy and excitement for the students,” Rossall said. “I was blessed to have Jennifer as a student, but the world has lost such a giving, loving, gifted, spirited, committed, individual. Her passing is a tragedy for us all, and the loss of the light she brought with her to her students, colleagues, beloved family and friends will remain a cherished memory.”
A co-worker of Parks’ husband Bobby has set up a GoFundMe page for the family. The Brandman University community extends their condolences to Parks’ family, friends and students.
More about her life can be found on the NY Times and Washington Post websites.
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