Search
-
October 11, 2018Every morning, the Bronson kids walk into school and are greeted by name. Sue Parizek, the school’s librarian, has made it her mission over the past 29 years to learn and greet every child by name.
“I think Mrs. Sue is a good person and I like her because she knows me when I walk in,” said Lukas Bronson, a 5 th grader at Saint John Nepomuk School in Yukon.
“Mrs. Sue” – as the children fondly call her – says it is her mission to not only learn the name of every child, but to get to know them personally.
“I love seeing the kids grow, especially to see the look on their faces when they learn to read,” Parizek said. “They will say, ‘I read this book!’ and they will take a test and make 100 on it. Just the looks on their faces are wonderful. That is something I always have loved.”
Parizek and her husband, Mark, have five children – Joe, Mary, Ann, James and Martin. Martin is their youngest and currently in the seminary. They have been members of Saint John Nepomuk for more than 40 years.
Brooke Basler, whose son, niece and nephew attend the school, said the school is blessed to have Parizek.
“It means everything to drop off your kids in the morning and know that they are taken care of and that they are greeted,” Basler said. “I know that sounds so simple, but it means everything, and it makes them feel special that she knows exactly who they are and knows their family and is kind to each child.”
Each time a new class comes into the library, Parizek leads them in a brief prayer. She said the prayer is never long, but she wants children to invite the Holy Spirit into their hearts as they pursue the important work of learning to read.
“I try and keep it short,” says Parizek. “We make the Sign of the Cross and say, ‘Come Holy Spirit, fill my heart.’”
Students said Parizek’s ability to get to know them personally allows her to help them select a book she knows they would like.
“I think Mrs. Sue is great because when I come in she asks me what kind of books I like to read and then she shows me,” said Braden Bronson, a student in the 6 th grade. “Sometimes, I like to read biographies and action books. And, every morning she says, ‘Mornin’ Braden, Mornin’ Sarah, Mornin’ Lukas.’”
For years, Parizek has worked to care for the children and families of Saint John Nepomuk, including making a coveted quilt for the school’s annual auction.
Parizek laughed as she recalled the number of hugs she gets everyday. “I love the hugs, I get lots of hugs!”
Natalie Johnson, principal of Saint John Nepomuk, said Parizek is one of the people who contributes to the heart of the school.
“She is the go-to person at the school. If I need something, I know I can go to Sue. She is everywhere. She will do it all. If she sees something that needs to be done, she will do it. She does it because she wants to.”
Sarah Bronson, a 1 st grader, added “She does it for God.”
Eliana Tedrow is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
