Hello all! My name is Mindy Parker and I was born in Maine, raised in Florida, then moved back to Maine in 2005. Currently I am working toward my associates degree in criminal justice through Kaplan University. My main focus is the juvenile justice system. My educational goal is to return after receiving my associates degree and work toward a bachelors degree in human services. I have been a behavioral specialist at Ironwood since January 2011. When I am not working, I can usually be found with my two precious little girls, Briana (4) and Kaitlyn (2). I also enjoy playing and spending time with my pooch Kia (Boxer Mix) and my frisky feline, Sylvester (Maine Coon).

As a child, I was very unsure of what I wanted to do when I “grew up”. As I made it past my teenage years into adulthood, I discovered a desire to help people. Not sure of how I would accomplish this and make a difference, I pondered the idea. Then it hit me, TEENAGERS! The teenage years always seem to be the hardest transition for a person to make in life. At this point, teens are trying to figure out who they are and just where they belong in society. Stuck between child (dependence) and adult (independence), teenagers often have a very difficult time learning how to make the giant leap into adulthood and need a little guidance and a helping hand. I believe our job in society is to lead the generations that come after us. Working at Ironwood has allowed me to guide and direct teens down the right path to become successful individuals. What truly inspires me about working at Ironwood is not only the determination and heartfelt sincerity in all the staff to see each and every student aspire to be the absolute best they can in life, but also watching the teens make the change and blossom. Students at Ironwood thrive on learning and accepting responsibilities, leadership, and improving interactions not only with staff, but with other students, family and others they come in contact with.

These are my favorite quotes:
“Life is not about discovering our talents; it is about pushing our talents to the limit and discovering our genius.” Robert Brault

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Unknown Author

“Success is how high you bounce when you hit rock bottom.” George Patton

“If you want to succeed you should strike out on new paths rather than travel the worn paths of accepted success.” John D. Rockefeller

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential, these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.” Confucius