April 5, 2019

My name is Kala Parker, Dean of Diversity and Associate Dean of Admissions for Notre Dame
Preparatory School and Marist Academy. I have had the esteemed pleasure of working
alongside Corey Porterfield for over five years in the Admissions Department, guiding families
through the application process, planning and hosting events. However, as good as Corey is as
spokesperson, salesperson, and advocate for the school, his heart lies with effective instruction
and student success.

Though his position lies within the purview of the admissions department, Corey long surpassed
the requirements and duties of his position with the goal of impacting student
achievement. Corey developed a program dedicated to helping struggling 8th grade students
transition into 9th grade, supporting them along the way and teaching them the organizational,
study, and testing skills necessary to succeed in the fast paced, rigorous academic
environment. Through this program, not only does he monitor students' daily progress, but he
works with the students' teachers to set up small group instruction and guided support.

Additionally, he and I developed a summer intensive program for urban middle school students
from low socioeconomic backgrounds to increase academic readiness and prepare for the rigor,
pace, and culture of top private schools. We worked together to choose a curriculum, hire staff,
develop the program, recruit students, and run the program--now going into its sixth year. His
extensive background knowledge and years of experience in special education has been
invaluable in developing and sustaining this program.

Corey has a true, unsurpassed passion for education, and for helping students with challenges
be successful, even in the most challenging academic environments. The norm for him is going
above and beyond, doing whatever is necessary to ensure students have the skills and support
they need to be successful. He would be an asset to any district as a instructional or building
leader. It has truly been an honor to call him a colleague and to have learned so much from him
over the last 5 years.

Sincerely,

Kala L. Parker
Dean of Diversity/Associate Dean of Admissions