After more than 30 years of teaching, Jim Parlin is ending his teaching career on a high note as the 2015 recipient of the Minnesota Independent School Forum’s Honor Teacher of Year award.

“It’s certainly a great honor,” Parlin said. “I was a little bit surprised, not expecting it, but very honored by the selection. And I guess I might even say kind of humbled by the whole experience.”

During a ceremony at Saint Thomas University in St. Paul on April 26, the 61-year-old social studies teacher at Pacelli Catholic High School was named the Minnesota Independent School Forum’s Honor Teacher of Year.

Chosen out of educators from about 160 private schools, Parlin tied with another teacher for the High School Honor Teacher category.

Pacelli Catholic Schools will host an open house celebration to honor Parlin from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Pacelli High School Auditorium. Everyone is invited to the celebration.

Parlin has been a teacher for 36 years, with 24 years at Pacelli. He is a social studies teacher, activities director and cross-country coach, and has coached in other sports as well, such as wrestling, track and football.

“I’ve done a little bit of everything I guess,” he said.

Parlin wasn’t expecting the award or the nomination, which was placed by Advancement Director Norm Blaser and a team of people.

“We were really happy,” Blaser said about Parlin’s award. “We spent considerable time writing up a resume. We put a lot of time into it.”

Blaser said the team didn’t know when they put in the nomination that Parlin was retiring.

“We did not know that at the time, but it’s a great way to be going out,” he said.

The reason Parlin was nominated was a combination of his many years at Pacelli and his outstanding job as a teacher, according to Blaser, who said he has known Parlin for many years.

“Jim is an outstanding faculty member, and I think that’s the biggest thing,” Blaser said. “He does a good job in the classroom, but I think every administrator Jim has ever worked for would tell you that he is a great faculty member.”

Parlin has learned many things in his years in the classroom.

“One of the things I’ve learned is kids aren’t all that different no matter where you go,” he said. “They have kind of the same wants and needs. But I think ultimately what they want to know is that you care about them.”

Parlin is known for giving as much time possible to his students, such as taking a camping trip every summer with his wife and students. He also started the tradition of having the cross country team run 12 miles to Lyle for the Lyle-Pacelli homecoming game.

“You have to start with making a connection with the kids and showing them that you care about them beyond just that one class or two classes you might be teaching,” he said. “It’s important for them to see you at other events they may participate in and that you know them beyond just the classroom.”

Although Parlin loves teaching and will miss the students, he is excited to be retired and have more time.

“I guess after 36 years of teaching, I felt like I’ve given a lot to education and I really would like to do some traveling,” Parlin said. “And I’m in good health, so it will give me an opportunity to do that. My wife had been retired for two years so we’ll be able to do more together. And a great opportunity to spend more time with grandkids.”

Parlin said he will miss the students, who keep him young and keep him on his toes. He will not be letting go entirely though, as he plans to continue coaching cross country. He is still getting used to the idea of retiring, and the idea of winning the teacher of the year award.

“It’s all been kind of a shock to me that this is all happening at the same time,” he said. “It’s still kind of setting in for me. But it’s certainly a great honor to finish out my teaching career.”

According to Blaser, the award started about seven years ago, and this is the first time a teacher from Pacelli has won the teacher of the year. The award is only for private, independent schools.