By Hailey Weldon
Humble ISD Public Communications Intern
Lindy Nelson-Paryag, a Woodland Hills Elementary (WHE) alumna, shared her experience teaching in Kenya at the annual WHE Corroboree. During the spring semester at WHE, this multicultural education program gives each grade level the opportunity to choose a country to study and celebrate through its traditional music, interactive activities, and informative presentations.
Fifty years after attending the campus, Nelson-Paryag has since been honored with the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award from Kingwood High School for making a lasting impact on the WHE community. Giving back and helping others has been a lifelong passion of Nelson-Paryag. Through 15 years of teaching and traveling the world to advocate for the importance of education, she has inspired many along the way.
At Corroboree, she shared stories and hands-on activities that gave students a glimpse of what daily life looks like in Kenya, from the materials they use to build homes to how many people can fit on a bus. Her presentation offered a unique perspective on Kenyan culture while encouraging students to be open-minded about potential opportunities and new experiences that exist beyond their own communities.
Reflecting on her years of service, she shared a message that highlights her values: "It's not what we teach them, it's what we make them feel."
She believes meaningful change begins with serving others, building relationships and finding common ground. For students looking to make a difference in their communities, Nelson-Paryag’s advice is simple: "Volunteering is the key."
