Issuu

May 2021 Vol. 46, No. 10

The

Administrator Newsletter

The monthly publication of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators

Moving Forward

Shared Reflective Practice President’s Perspective: Page 2

Executive Viewpoint: Page 1

Spotlight

Page 5

This

Issue

Executive Viewpoint - Dr. Mike Hernande President’s Perspective - Debbie Atkinso Compliance Connectio Administrator Spotlight - Stephanie Richmond Anderso Asked and Answere CoSN Updat

Stephanie Richmond Anderso

Bene ts Corne

Principal Helen Tyson Middle School

Award Winner

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219 South Victory, Little Rock, AR 72201 501.372.1691 www.theaaea.org

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2020-2021 AAEA Board of Directors Debbie Atkinson, AAEA President Principal, Bergman

Dr. Stephanie Nehus, President-Elect Superintendent, Hot Springs

Brian Kirkendoll, AAEA Secretary/Treasurer Principal, Alma

Scott Spainhour, AAEA Past President Superintendent, Greenbrier

Robert Poole, AASA President Superintendent, Prescott

Jon Collins, AASA President-Elect Superintendent, West Memphis

Stacy DeFoor, AAESP President Principal, Conway

Mark Lewis, AAESP President-Elect Principal, Conway

David Maxwell, AASSP President Principal, Mena

Scott Smith, AASSP President-Elect Principal, Western Yell County

Chad Jordan, AASSP Past President Principal, Greene County Tech

Fred Lilly, ArkASPA President Superintendent, Camden Fairview

Dr. Lee Smith, AACTEA President Assistant Superintendent of Development, Mena

Shantele Raper, AAFC Cristy Dunnahoe, AASBO President President Director of Federal Programs, Business Manager, Star City Osceola

Sherry Stewart, AASEA President Director of Special Services, Rogers

Aaron Randolph, AAGEA President Director of Gifted Programs/ Federal Programs, Cabot

Charles Warren, AASBO Past President Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith School District

Bill Tietz, ASPMA President Aliza Jones, ASPMA (until October) President (begin October) Assistant Superintendent, Facilities Consortium Watson Chapel Coordinator, Lavaca

Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

AAEA Sta Dr. Mike Hernandez, Executive Director m.hernandez@theaaea.org

Kelli Golden, Chief Financial Officer k.golden@theaaea.org

Mike Mertens, Assistant Executive Director m.mertens@theaaea.org

Marty Smith, Member Relations Manager m.smith@theaaea.org

Lenett Thrasher, Director of Learning Services & Operations l.thrasher@theaaea.org

Karen Dean, Certification Program Manager k.dean@theaaea.org

Robyn Keene, Director of Financial Services r.keene@theaaea.org

Alyse Mattox, Communications & Technology Specialist a.mattox@theaaea.org

Please contact us if we may provide assistance to you in any way.

The AAEA Administrator is a monthly publication of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) for members of the AAEA.

2020-2021 AAEA Corporate Sponsors Prestigious

Platinum

American Fidelity Assurance Co.

AAMSCO C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC Legacy Construction Management Lexia Learning Nabholz Northwest Evaluation Association - NWEA Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects Schneider Electric Silverback Learning TRANE US, Inc.

Curriculum Associates, LLC. Educational Benefits, Inc. Imagine Learning Lifetouch, Inc. NIET Pearson Online & Blended Learning Pro Benefits Group, Inc. Renaissance Learning, Inc. Scholastic Education Solution Tree

Distinguished Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Diamond Apptegy ClassWallet Edgenuity Energy Systems Group ESS First Security Beardsley Forecast5 Analytics Middleton, Inc. PowerSchool Stephens, Inc. Strategos Winsor Learning - Sonday Systems

Bene t Plan Impacts in the American Rescue Plan Act of 202 Compliance Connection: Page 4

Gold Crow Construction Cynergy Rehab Group Kinco Constructors, LLC TIPS

Silver Architecture Plus, Inc. Correll, Inc. French Architects, PA Got Zoom Hight-Jackson Associates, PA SEAS

Critical Illness Insurance: What is it? Bene ts Corner: Page 8

Executive

Viewpoint

The 93rd General Assembly has taken its recess. School administrators across Arkansas are now left to review bills that will or have become law. Upon review, school administrators will begin to reconcile how these various new policies will be put into practice because that is what good administrators should and must do. The Association has successfully worked with legislators to amend bills or stop legislation that would be very dif cult to implement. We were successful in doing this work through our great members, who provided feedback on how each bill would impact schools at the local level. We did not amend or stop every piece of legislation identi ed as problematic, but we did work with legislators respectfully Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

and thoughtfully. We have to remember that these folks are elected to represent the people of their communities and that we will not always agree with them. Still, we must respect their opinions and build a relationship based on that mutual

respect. A glance at social media gives one a perspective that we have an environment of disrespect for the political process and its major players. Administrators must rise above the fray and show what authentic leadership looks like. Sometimes, you win, and you lose sometimes, but we don't just pick up our ball and go home when we are losing ground. Administrators must prepare and plan to make an impact, even if it is down the road. So what do we need to do next? We have to maintain focus on the students in our buildings and ensure a safe learning environment.

Covid-19 has taught us to be

exible and patient as new obstacles to learning begin to present

themselves. Administrators must continue to stay engaged with the rule-making and implementation of the new laws, ESSER funding allowable expenditures, and healthcare guidance as we plan for the future. Every district and school is different, and we must engage the local voices to avoid the one-size- ts-all approach to supporting student learning. I read an article the other day that talked about administrators and their role in learning recovery from the pandemic. There were several highlights that I wanted to share with you as you nish this school year and plan for the next. First, districts must identify and empower their instructional leaders to create avenues to support student learning recovery through any means necessary. This could be summer enrichment, additional tutoring, or any other proven, high-impact strategy with staff and community buy-in. Second, administrators are going to have to be mindful of the implications of the pandemic on mental health. Some students have been off campus for many months and others are dealing with a variety of pandemic-related traumas. Leaders should explore uses of state or federal funding to fortify a multi-tiered system of support for students. Lastly, district leaders must help building leaders to maximize their relationships with parents and communities.

Stakeholder relationships have and will pay big dividends as schools navigate through

continued operations of schools. Preserving the trust of patrons in their local school systems amid ever-changing state and federal mandates will be essential for the building-level leaders from now on. As if you did not have enough to think about! I am proud of all of the effort Arkansas educators have put forth during the session and school year. Let's get out there and do the best we can for kids. They need con dent and unrelenting great leaders like you.

President’s

Perspective

Shared Reflective Practice

Re ective practice in its simplest form is re ecting on something you have experienced. Thinking about what has happened, re ecting, is a natural occurrence within humans. Casually thinking and thinking re ectively are not one in the same. Re ective thinking is purposefully thinking, evaluating, and developing insights after an executed circumstance. One de nition describes re ective practice as the ability to re ect on one’s actions to engage in a process of continuous learning Re ection is certainly not a new term to education. It is the cornerstone to all sound educational practices. It is not by accident that Re ecting on Teaching is the rst of the professional responsibilities listed in Domain Four of Arkansas’s Teacher Excellence and Support System. The system describes the highly effective teacher's re ection on the lesson as thoughtful and accurate, citing speci c evidence. A re ecting teacher draws on an extensive repertoire to propose alternative strategies and predicts the probable success of each. Other DESE initiatives that draw heavily on re ection include RISE, Professional Learning Communities, and High Reliability Schools. Even the Digital Learning Plans that we have been working on require a substantial amount of re ection. Re ective practice can be one of the rst things to let slide when things are busy and hectic, yet it is one piece that we can not afford to skip. Time spent on re ective practice can aid in prioritizing the most critical elements and help clear the chaos. This year is de nitely proof of that As we have muddled through a pandemic year, it was often dif cult to nd opportunity for shared re ective practice. As I have thought about this, I began my own re ection of this year as a whole – the good and the bad – both professionally and personally. After pondering my own take-aways, I began to wonder how my staff would re ect on this year. So, I decided to ask. I informally asked my staff to share two things this year has taught them, one professionally and one personally. I enjoyed reading each one I received and after brie y summarizing here, I plan to have a collective re ection session with my staff. Teachers shared numerous thoughts on what they had learned professionally and personally this year. Thoughts such as the adaptability and creativity of both staff and students, the critical component of relationships, safety in the school environment, and the value of face-to-face learning. Some quotes included • “Professionally, I have learned to adjust the sails and do whatever is necessary in a time of need. It was simply amazing how strong a school community can be. Administrators quickly took over food service and helped to make sure students and parents received meals. Custodians and maintenance contributed in other ways as well. It takes a village, and I am glad to be part of ours. Our professional roles might change but putting student needs rst - never changes.” • “Teachers truly are superheroes and can do anything!

• “Covid taught me that kids still need to be taught, kept safe, and loved on! Just as we have always done.” • “I have learned that all learning is socially and emotionally connected.

Debbie Atkinson AAEA Board President

Personal re ections from my teachers also carried common themes. Some of the themes included the restructuring of priorities, the value of family, friends, and freedom, and the critical aspect of not taking life for granted. Some personal quotes included • “Personally, I learned to appreciate all the time and the restructure of priorities. • “I hope I never again take for granted the little things in life-seeing family and friends, hugs, freedom to go out in public. • “My faith in God became much stronger. • “Relationships are incredibly important and should be appreciated, nurtured, and maintained well! • “Don’t take moments or people for granted. Make time for the ones that truly love you and show them that you love them. Life is a balance. • “Or for a lighter side: I learned I can actually survive months without going to TJ Maxx.” My own re ective thoughts from this year parallel the ideas above. Professionally, I have always known Bergman is a great community and Bergman Elementary has an amazing staff, but this past year con rmed my thoughts. For years we have strived to always do what is best for our students, this school year proved no different. Everyone-- certi ed teachers, paraprofessionals, cafeteria staff, custodians, secretaries, parents, and our community stepped up to help our students in a multitude of ways. Many gave their time, money, and love putting other people's needs above their own. Teachers stepped out of comfort zones and used technology like never before. If you work in a school, you know being exible is a must. This year gave the word “ exible” a whole new meaning. I know people in communities all over have steppedup and phenomenal work has happened in many schools, but what I have seen this year in Bergman, AR, con rmed that there are angels among us. For me personally, I believe God gave us an opportunity to just be still. It was a time to re ect and sort through what matters most. I truly love both my personal and professional life and feel blessed beyond measure. I will consider this year a gift As you begin the process of wrapping up this unprecedented year, I encourage you to be blessed by the process of shared re ection with your staff. May your ending be smooth, and your summers be lled with re ective renewal and rebuilding.

”

2020-2021

Calendar

2021 Professional Development Events

Click here to take a tour of the AAEA App!

May ASBA/AAEA Joint Conference — May 4, 2021 AAFC Digital Spring Conference — May 6, 2021

June School Law Conference — June 2, 2021 Southwest High School, Little Rock AASEA Special Education Conference — June 7-8, 2021 Embassy Suites NW Arkansas, Rogers

July AAEA Summer Conference — July 26-27, 2021 Marriott Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center To see conference details for upcoming events go to page 10. To see a schedule of more AAEA events, go to theaaea.org and click on “Events.” 3

Upon hiring new administrators, school districts must register the following. • First year administrators (excluding superintendents) • Principal • Assistant Principal • Curriculum Administrator • Special Education Administrator • Administrators from out-of-state with previous experience; and • Administrators returning to the profession Click here to access the Beginning Administrator Registry. Registration links for TESS Credentialing and the AAEA Summer Conference on July 26-27 are included in the document.

Compliance Connection

Bene t Plan Impacts in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021

The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), signed by President Biden on March 11, 2021, provided a third round of COVID-related direct payments. Additionally, the ARPA contains several bene ts-related provisions that will impact your employee bene ts plan 100% COBRA Premium Subsidy and Expanded COBRA Enrollment Option Individuals who lost employer-sponsored health coverage can now maintain their coverage under COBRA at no cost, thanks to a provision in the law which establishes a 100% subsidy for COBRA premiums from April 1, 2021 to September 30, 2021. Employees with a qualifying COBRA event who have lost or lose their coverage involuntarily, either by termination or a reduction in hours, are eligible for the subsidy. The termination or reduction in hours does not have to be related to the pandemic but cannot have been voluntary or due to gross misconduct. Family members and other quali ed bene ciaries may also be entitled to the subsidy if they qualify as an assistanceeligible individual under these expanded rules. The subsidy and expanded election rules apply to all group health plans subject to COBRA as well as to governmental plans subject to the Public Health Service Act (PHSA). However, this provision does not apply to Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts (HCFSAs). This provision creates an additional notice requirement: anyone whose period of COBRA coverage includes any of the months from April to September 2021 must be noti ed that this premium subsidy is available and must be noti ed when it is about to expire. This includes employees who did not elect COBRA coverage when it was initially offered, or who elected coverage but discontinued it, as long as they are still within their maximum coverage period during any part of the subsidized timeframe. The special notice must be sent to eligible individuals no later than May 31, 2021 (60 days after the date the subsidy goes into effect). Model notices have recently been published by the federal agencies so you should begin plans to implement the new notice requirements immediately Dependent Care Contribution Limits Increase For 2021, employers may allow employees with Dependent Care Accounts (DCAs) to contribute up to $10,500 (for married employees ling jointly) or $5,250 (for single employees and married employees who le separately). This increase is more than double the standard annual limits of $5,000 and $2,500. The increased election amount is optional, and employers will need to amend their Section 125 Plan if they choose to allow the provision. American Fidelity has contacted employers for whom we administer Section 125 Plans. If you have not received communication and would like to adopt this provision, please contact us as soon as possible

Column Provided by: Tom Sledge, Arkansas State Manager, American Fidelity Assurance Co.

BAI registration for the 2021-2022 school year will open on May 3, 2021. A full description of the program will be provided in a Commissioner’s Memo but a brief outline is below.

Beginning Administrator Induction (BAI)

Spotlight

Stephanie Richmond Anderson, Principal at Helen Tyson Middle School, says “I was blessed to have wonderful teachers that inspired me as well as my amazing family…They were instrumental in my life and encouraged me to never give up and dream big.

For Principal Stephanie Richmond Anderson, teaching runs in the family. “My great-grandmother, grandmother, dad, mom, and aunt were all teachers,” Stephanie says. For them, “education is valued and emphasized.” In addition to her family members, other outstanding teachers and school administrators inspired her throughout her life. Among them were her history teacher and cheer coach, Mrs. Cheri Young Rose, and her high school principal, Mr. Robert Martin. “They were instrumental in my life and encouraged me to never give up and dream big,” she states Despite these in uences, Stephanie didn’t always plan to be an educator, and she entered Hendrix college as a political science major with her sights set on law school. Yet over time, she found herself drawn to teaching. Stephanie completed her student teaching at Elmwood Junior High in Rogers before taking a job at Gravette Middle School in 1993, teaching 6th and 7th grade. In 1994, she returned to Elmwood Junior High in Rogers and taught 8th and 9th grade American History and Pre-Ap American History. She also served as Cheer Coach, Student Council Sponsor, and the district’s Social Studies Curriculum Specialist for grades 6-12. In 2006, Stephanie completed her Master’s degree and became the Assistant Principal at Helen Tyson Middle School, serving 800 students. While in this role, she earned distinction as Assistant Principal of the Year for the State of Arkansas. She received her Specialist degree in 2013, and in 2015 became Helen Tyson Middle School’s Principal. Stephanie describes herself as a lifelong learner who is continually working to inspire and encourage others. She seeks to involve herself in all the opportunities offered to students, hoping to make a difference in their lives by being someone who cares about them as individuals. In 2020, she was recognized for her commitment to her students, receiving the 2020 Charles Green Administrator that Makes a Difference Award. She hopes others will remember her as “giving it my ALL with passion, laughter, encouragement, and dedication - to my students, family, friends, and faith in God. I hope people remember that I cared about them. When asked her favorite thing about her job, Stephanie’s reply is enthusiastic: “THE KIDS! I love working with the ‘middle’ group. They are my WHY and why I look forward to going to work each day.” She revels in her students as entertaining, talented, and intelligent individuals who need adults to guide, encourage, and believe in them. Like many of us, she nds that the

”

What are the goals you are still working toward? “One of my biggest challenges and goals is to continue to learn as well as educate parents and students about the positive and negative impacts of Social Media”

Stephanie Richmond Anderson most challenging part of her job is time. “There is never enough time to meet with each child, parent, teacher, and members of the community to accomplish all I want to do each day.” One of the most signi cant changes she has seen over the course of her career is how new technology has transformed the way we educate. She nds that we are more engaged in the needs of students in how they learn. “Differentiation is discussed and planned for each child,” she notes. “We embrace diversity and celebrate our differences.” Advice that has helped her includes accepting that mistakes help you get better, communication is everything, and that change is dif cult and requires patience. To those considering a similar career, she advises they be passionate, present, open-minded, and to have a sense of humor. During her time off, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, oating the King’s River, going to the lake, traveling, and reading. She also loves JEEPs and enjoys remodeling homes. Her proudest accomplishment is raising her two amazing children - Sydney and Mason. How would your co-workers describe you? “Energetic, Passionate, High Standards, Dedicated, Strong, Understanding, Caring, Hands-On Principal What might other administrators be surprised to know about you? “I worked at Tyson foods on the Master Pack and De-Bone line as well as the Bridge Crew for the Arkansas Highway Department during College. If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing? "Selling real estate, counselor, selling cars What is one of the things on your “Bucket List? “To travel to Barcelona and see the completion of La Sagrada Família What do you see as the biggest bene t of AAEA membership? “Networking with others who share similar challenges and opportunities. I have met so many dedicated educators from across the state of Arkansas who are passionate about helping our students and families. We continue to learn from each other to nd out how to become better leaders inside and outside of the classroom.

”

Asked

& Answered

With the passage of Act 680 that establishes the Teacher Salary Equalization Fund and how it works with the existing Educator Compensation Reform Program, a common question heard frequently is, "What is the minimum teacher salary schedule requirement for the 2021-2022 school year?"

Arkansas Code 6-17-2403 answers this question for both the next

school year and the school year thereafter. For 2021-2022, the starting salary for a teacher with a Bachelor's degree is to be at least $34,900. The beginning salary for a teacher with a Master's degree is at least $39,550.

Mike Mertens AAEA Assistant Executive Director If you have questions for Mike, email them to m.mertens@theaaea.org

Salary schedules shall include at least 15 years of

experience. Stipends for years of experience are to be at least $450 on the Bachelor's level and at least $500 on the Master's level. For the 2022-2023 school year, the beginning salary for a teacher with a Bachelor's degree increases to $36,000.

The beginning salary for a teacher with a Master's

degree increases to $40,650. Stipends for years of experience are to be at least $450 on the Bachelor's level and at least $500 on the Master's level.

CoSN: Support for Technology Administrators CoSN is a great resource for school technology administrators. Check this page monthly for links to articles to assist technology leaders as they navigate through digital learning transformations. Click here to read this month’s topics: Assuring Accessibility for All; CoSN Resources: Accessibility Toolkit and One-Page Guide; CoSN Membership.

Critical Illness Insurance: What is it? Critical Illness or Catastrophic Illness insurance...Have you heard of it? Maybe not, but in the event of a major health condition such as cancer, heart attack or stroke, this coverage could protect you from a major nancial hit. Few, if any, major medical (health insurance) policies will protect you 100% from the nancial burdens of a major medical event. Therefore, a supplemental Critical Illness policy could provide the nancial protection many would need Although our life expectancy continues to increase, it provides more opportunity for us to face these critical illnesses. Some may even reoccur multiple times in our lives. With great medical insurance, just one catastrophic illness can bring on nancial burdens that none of us plan for. Most Critical Illness insurance provides protection against these major illnesses: Heart attack, Stroke, Organ Transplants, Cancer and Coronary Bypass. We are all familiar with them and we know their potential costs. So how would you pay for the extensive medical care that these illnesses require? If you don’t have a large enough emergency fund or a nicely funded health savings account (HSA), most will have a hard time paying these bills How does Critical Illness coverage work? These policies are designed to be simple to understand. Most of these plans will pay a lump some bene t upon diagnosis of one of the covered illnesses. Bene t amounts can be purchased in coverage increments of $5K or $10k, up to $100,000 plus. You will typically be given an opportunity to choose an amount based on your perceived risk or ability to afford the monthly premium Critical Illness coverage can be purchased for as little as $5 to $10 per pay period. It can be purchased including cancer coverage or without in some cases. The idea is that you can make an affordable purchase that could potentially pay a lump sum amount that would protect you from the nancial burdens of these major health events. They bring on enough stress for you and the family; the last thing we need to worry about is how we will pay for our care. Column Provided by: Shane Pennington, Regional Sales Executive, Educational Benefits, Inc.

AAEA Team We are here to assist you!

Corner

Upc ing C f ences

May 4, 2021 The 25th Annual Joint Leadership Conference, hosted by the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) and the Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA), will provide an opportunity for school board members, superintendents, and others to network and to gain needed insight into the issues and events impacting education today. The conference will be held onsite and virtually on May 4 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Click here to register.

June 2, 2021 The AAEA School Law Conference will be held virtually and onsite at Southwest High School in Little Rock on June 2, 2021. Click here to register.

Upc ing C f ences

June 7-8, 2021 The Arkansas Association for Special Education Administrators (AASEA) Summer Conference will be held June 7-8 at the Embassy Suites Convention Center in Rogers from 7:30 am to 3:30 pm. Featured speakers are Heather Friziellie, co-author of Yes! We Can!, and Julie J. Weatherly, Esq., founder of RISE, Inc. Click here to register.

July 26-27, 2021 The 46th Annual AAEA Summer Conference will be held onsite at the Marriott Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock on July 26-27 from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Click here to register.

Job Site Subscription Service

Tools to Help You Hire the Best!

The AAEA Job Board is a calendar-year subscription that assists districts with the ever-increasing challenge of recruiting quality staff. It is a significant resource for educators, both in-state and out-of-state, seeking employment in Arkansas schools. Over 165 school districts are participating in the program, which has been extremely helpful to schools and educators over the years. The site is used year-round and is accessed extensively during the second semester. It is not unusual to see over 400 jobs posted on the Job Board at one time. With an account, school districts may post unlimited job vacancies throughout the year. Subscription renewals will be sent to superintendents this fall regarding 2020 renewal. To subscribe (by district) or to post job openings, contact Marty Smith, Member Relations Manager, at m.smith@theaaea.org or at 501-372-1691.

Openings District Name Rivercrest School District Russellville School District Danville School District Fountain Lake School District Smackover-Norphlet School District Marion School District Clarendon School District Camden Fairview School District Crossett School District Van Buren School District Van Buren School District Van Buren School District Smackover-Norphlet School District Smackover-Norphlet School District Smackover-Norphlet School District Bryant School District Rogers School District Jessieville School District North Little Rock School District Jonesboro School District Greenbrier School District Pocahontas School District Pocahontas School District Gentry School District Sheridan School District Little Rock School District Camden Fairview School District Pine Bluff School District Pine Bluff School District Hope School District Foreman School District Siloam Springs School District May lower School District Pulaski County Special School District Pocahontas School District Pocahontas School District Rivercrest School District Eureka Springs School District Cossatot River School District Dumas School District Dumas School District

Posi on High School Principal/Director of Student Learning Director of Information Systems High School Principal Elementary Assistant Principal (PreK-4) Director of Technology Elementary Assistant Principal (PreK-6) High School Principal Math Facilitator Middle School Principal Middle School Assistant Principal Elementary Assistant Principal/Instructional Facilitator High School Assistant Principal Instructional Facilitator Elementary Principal Assistant Principal Director of Early Childhood Education/Assistant SpEd Director Assistant Principal School Based Health Center Coordinator Elementary Principal ESSER Special Projects Coordinator Middle School Principal Principal Principal Transportation Fleet Manager Chief Financial Of icer Director of Health Services Literacy Facilitator Secondary Assistant Principal (Multiple) Elementary Assistant Principal Superintendent High School Principal Testing Center Coordinator Assistant Principal Director of STEM & Blended Learning Principal Child Nutrition Manager Assistant Superintendent/Federal Programs Coordinator Child Nutrition Director Superintendent Secondary Assistant Principal (2) High School Principal

Gravette School District Siloam Springs School District Cossatot River School District Camden Fairview School District Bryant School District South Side Bee Branch School District Helena-West Helena School District Pulaski County Special School District Harrison School District Pulaski County Special School District Little Rock School District White Hall School District ResponsiveEd ResponsiveEd Blytheville School District Marion School District Pangburn School District Monticello School District

Middle School Principal Assistant Principal or Assistant Principal/CTE Director – High School of Instruction/ESL Coordinator Director Assistant High School Principal Assistant Special Education Director K-12 Assistant Principal Deputy Superintendent School Test Coordinator High School Principal School Test Coordinator Child Nutrition Manager District Bookkeeper for the 2021-2022 Campus Director - Springdale Federal Programs Clerk Gifted Education Coordinator/Teacher School Improvement Specialist Building Principal (9th-12th Grade) Assistant Superintendent/Curriculum and Instructional Coordinator

Visit Our Job Site For Mor

https://arkansas.schoolspring.com/

Award Winners Chelsea Jennings, NASSP National Assistant Principal of the Year Chelsea Jennings, Assistant Principal at Lakeside Junior High School, was recently named the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) National Assistant Principal of the Year (APOY). Each year, the APOY program honors outstanding assistant principals who advance their profession and provide top-quality learning opportunities for their students. Jennings led an initiative to make traumainformed social-emotional learning (SEL) interventions and resources accessible for every adult and student. This year, she partnered with Ozark Guidance to expand school-based counseling services with an additional therapist and behavioral paraprofessional, doubling the number of students receiving services. In an effort to address the heightened anxieties with schools reopening, she led professional development focused on SEL strategies to make sure students and staff could return to work. “We are proud to recognize Chelsea Jennings as the 2021 NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year for her tremendous leadership in developing a positive school culture to ensure the well-being and safety of her students, their families and their community,” said Ronn Nozoe, CEO of NASSP.

April Hagans, AAESP Principal of the Year

April Hagans, Principal of Clinton Elementary School in the Clinton School District, was recently named the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) Principal of the Year. Mr. Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director, and Mr. Stacy DeFoor, AAESP President, presented Ms. Hagans with the award during a school board meeting on April 19, 2020. This award is given each year to an Arkansas elementary level principal who has succeeded in contributing to a positive and motivating environment for others and has been recognized as exhibiting exceptional leadership skills in the school community. Ms. Hagans oversaw the implementation of Professional Learning Communities collaborating around student learning. She also led the whole school implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports to create a culture of shared expectations that celebrates and reinforces positive student behavior.

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