Parizek also serves as chairman of the Minnesota plumbing board and is active in a number of legislative, code, and technological organizations.
Parizek won the award because of the extraordinary effort he put in to revamp the entire five-year apprentice curriculum. He computerized all the tests and converted all of the blueprints and drawings to CAD. As the head instructor, Parizek created the curriculum for all of the instructors in the program, as many as 45 at one time, in order to promote continuity and provide the best educational experience for each apprentice.
He has multiple certifications that allow him to teach journeymen continuing education classes.
Those who know him describe Parizek as approachable and patient. He is never too busy to sit down with an apprentice who needs extra help, and he will help a journeyman who needs a few hours of review time before taking a state or city plumbing exam. There are 1,400 apprentices and journeymen in the program. He assists the part-time instructors. Parizek has worked as a counselor and advisor to apprentices and instructors alike.
Jack Hettwer, training director for the Minneapolis plumbers JATC nominated Parizek for this award. In Hettwer’s estimation, there is no one else more knowledgeable and informed about the trade. It is because of Parizek’s dedication to his trade, his students and his school that CONTRACTOR magazine and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Educational Foundation named Parizek the 2012 Plumbing Instructor of the Year.
Sponsors of the HVACR & Mechanical Instructor’s Workshop include Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors – National Association, the Council of Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Educators, Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute, Air Conditioning Contractors of America, North American Technician Excellence, and the Refrigeration Service Engineers Society.