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Bauxite teacher to speak at Democratic National Convention

Saline County, Ark.(KTHV) - The Democratic convention is a long way from Dustin Parsons classroom in Bauxite.

Saline County, Ark.(KTHV) - The Democratic convention is a long way from Dustin Parsons classroom in Bauxite.

"I would lie if I told you I was not nervous."

Parsons, a fifth-grade teacher at Pine Haven Elementary, is a convention delegate and will take center stage at the DNC this week.

"I plan to address the convention on Tuesday. Each day has a different theme, that day I'm speaking on Arkansas education."

The 30-year-old is a pledged delegate for Clinton.

He said he's savoring every minute of his once-in-a-lifetime experience, and planning to bring home plenty of pictures and videos to show his students.

"Fifth grade's entire social studies is on government and politics and understanding the grassroots and we talk about Philadelphia and the constitution conventions and all that. When I found out everything was going to be there I thought this would be a great opportunity to bring this back to my kids."

About to enter his sixth year of teaching, Parsons believes the former secretary of state and first lady is a forward-thinking advocate for schools.

He wants the nation to hear about positive aspects of public education.

"I want to be able to express my message in a positive way and look to the future. Like what I intended when I first started teaching."

He hopes his experience rubs off on his students and that they can do anything they set out to do.

"I was a student when President Clinton won and everything was so exciting. I remember that as a student and I never dreamed of being there."

President Clinton will also address the convention on Tuesday night.

Parsons will be the only other Arkansan to speak at this convention.

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