The Administrator Newsletter - April 2022

VOLUME 47 • ISSUE 9 APRIL 2022

THE

ADMINISTRATOR

HERE COMES THE SUN!

PLANNING, PLANNING, AND MORE PLANNING

Spring flowers are growing, and so is the AAEA! Dr. Hernandez introduces the AAEA’s newest constituent group, TEL-AR.

Dr. Nehus shares her thoughts on the role planning plays in student achievement and success.

Executive Viewpoint

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President’s Perspective

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Viewpoint • P. 3 President’s Perspective • P. 4 Asked and Answered • P. 5 Compliance Connection • P. 6 CoSN Update • P. 6

ADMINISTRATOR SPOTLIGHT: MAURICE HENRY In the Spotlight this month is Maurice Henry, Director of Facilities & Transportation for Hope Public Schools.

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Administrator Spotlight • P. 7 Over the Top • P. 10 Benefits Corner • P. 11 Publication Sneak Peek • P. 12 Job Openings • P. 14

AAEA Staff

2022 Calendar of Events

Dr. Mike Hernandez Executive Director m.hernandez@theaaea.org

April

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Melanie Thrasher Business Analyst m.thrasher@theaaea.org

AASBO/SASBO Joint Conference April 5-7, 2022, Hot Springs Convention Center ASPMA CFD Classes April 14, 2022, Conway School District Professional Development Annex

May ASBA/AAEA Joint Leadership Conference May 3, 2022, Wyndham Riverfront, Little Rock AAFC Spring Conference May 4-6, 2022, Hot Springs Convention Center

June AAEA School Law Conference June 1, 2022, Hot Springs Junior Academy, Hot Springs AASEA Summer Conference June 6-7, 2022, DoubleTree Little Rock

July ASPMA CFD Classes July 19, 2022, Conway School District Professional Development Annex AAEA Summer Conference July 25-26, 2022, Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel

October ASPMA Conference October 3-5, 2022, Hot Springs Convention Center For more information, visit theaaea.org/events or see Page 9.

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2021-2022 AAEA Board of Directors Dr. Karla Neathery AAEA Board Secretary/ Treasurer Superintendent, Arkadelphia

Debbie Atkinson AAEA Past President Principal, Bergman

Dr. Andrea Martin AASA Secretary Superintendent, Greenland

Mark Lewis AAESP President Principal, Conway

Stacy DeFoor AAESP Past President Principal, Conway

Scott Smith AASSP President Principal, Western Yell County

Matt Ziegler AASSP President-Elect Principal, Riverside

David Maxwell AASSP Past President Principal, Mena

Brandie Williams ArkASPA President Superintendent, Trumann

Dr. Lee Smith AACTEA President Superintendent, Mena

Susan Gilley AAFC President Executive Dir Fed Prog & Instructional Tech, Harrison

Kevin Luck AASBO President Business Manager, Vilonia

Charles Warren AASBO Past President Chief Financial Officer, Fort Smith

Carla Curtis AASEA President Director of Special Services, Fayetteville

Kim Fowler AACIA President Assistant Director/ Teacher Center Coordinator, Ozark Unlimited Resource ESC

Eric Hipp AAMLA President Principal, Bentonville

Aliza Jones ASPMA President Facilities Consortium Coordinator, Lavaca

Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

Dr. Stephanie Nehus AAEA President Superintendent, Hot Springs

Brian Kirkendoll AAEA President-Elect Principal, Alma

Jon Collins AASA President Superintendent, West Memphis

Skipper Ward AASA President-Elect Superintendent, Magnolia

Carol Skiba AAESP President-Elect Principal, Cabot

Monica Springfield AAGEA President Ozark Unlimited Resource ESC

2021-2022 AAEA Corporate Sponsors Prestigious

Diamond (Continued)

Platinum (Continued)

American Fidelity Assurance Co. Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc. Curriculum Associates Educational Benefits, Inc. Imagine Learning Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. NIET - National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Pearson Online and Blended Learning Pro Benefits Group, Inc. ProtectEd Renaissance Learning, Inc. Scholastic Education Solution Tree, Inc.

Energy Systems Group ESS First Security Beardsley Middleton, Inc. OnToCollege PowerSchool Rave Mobile Safety Smart Data Dashboard Stephens, Inc. Tanium Winsor Learning - Sonday Systems

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects Progressive Technologies TRANE US, Inc.

Diamond Apptegy ClassWallet Cognia Edmentum

Platinum AAMSCO Architecture Plus, Inc. C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC Legacy Construction Management Lexia Learning Nabholz Construction Corp.

Gold Crow Group, Inc. Cynergy Rehab Group FIS Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Kinco Constructors, LLC Phoenix Contractors, LLC Red Comet TIPS - The Interlocal Purchasing System

Silver Correll, Inc. French Architects, PA Hight-Jackson Associates, PA SEAS

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Executive Viewpoint Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

Here Comes the Sun! Spring is in the air! Of course, we had some unexpected bouts of snow and ice. Hopefully, that cold weather is all behind us now. Spring is often associated with growth. A sign of strength in any membership organization is when it is growing. Growth shows that members value being part of something that keeps them informed and gives them a voice in their professional development and policy. Your organization has been growing in membership, and we thank you for your trust in us. AAEA is excited to be expanding our administrator reach as well. The AAEA Board approved adding a constituent group to the AAEA umbrella.

The new group is Technology Educational Leaders of Arkansas and will be officially part of AAEA on July 1.

Technology Educational Leaders of Arkansas (TEL-AR) seeks to provide multiple growth opportunities for school technology leaders to create and grow engaging learning environments. TEL-AR creates a community of learning leaders through collaboration and mentorships. They are a local affiliate of the national organization Consortium for School Networking (CoSN). The group supports leaders seeking the Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL) Program through CoSN, which provides a robust framework that guides growth for all school leaders. Lastly, TEL-AR seeks to increase the representation of technology leaders in both the district administrative cabinet and at the state level. I am excited to bring this new group on board to help ensure strong collaboration between the technology leaders and other school leaders in the district. We have known for quite some time that technology is a critical part of the school environment, but the pandemic emphasized this notion.

Jarod Morrison from Farmington School District currently serves as the chair of Tel-AR. You can find additional information about the board here. We will be working to integrate them into our organization over the next several months. I would encourage you to have your technology leader become part of this group and reach out to Jarod or other board members to find out more information about Tel-AR. They will have sessions scheduled at the AAEA Summer Conference on July 25-26. Please join me in welcoming Tel-AR into the AAEA family.

As you know, education is undoubtedly on the menu at every legislative session. Across the nation, it has become a political centerpiece for many campaigns, from the governorship to the school board races. Many candidates try to portray educators and the public school system as something that is hurting kids. I do not accept this depiction of our schools. My travels around this state and interactions with many of you reveal a true passion for helping kids. I see the fantastic things you are doing every day, no matter the circumstances.

AAEA and your legislative committees will do everything we can to advocate for sound policies that support students and districts across the state. However, there are some things that you can do now to help.

The primary elections for this year are coming up on May 24. Many candidates are running for the legislature to form the 94th General Assembly. One thing you can do is work with your local school community to hold informational forums to meet the candidates and ascertain where they stand on important issues. You should note how they view public education and their plans to continue supporting this precious local resource. I believe you will find that hosting this type of event will educate your local voters and help build a relationship with your future legislator. You will not always agree with 100% of their positions on critical issues. Still, the conversation and respect can go a long way into being able to educate and influence them in other matters. Another area that can help is to identify candidates that will support public education and contribute to them financially. There are many out there who support public education and will need financial support and help at the ballot box.

Spring is indeed upon us, and I am optimistic. As the Beatles once sang, "Here comes the sun, And I say, It's all right."

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President’s Perspective Dr. Stephanie Nehus, AAEA Board President

Planning, Planning, and More Planning Planning, planning, and more planning. I wake in the morning thinking about what needs to be planned for the day, the week, the month, the nine weeks, the semester, next year, etc., and I go to bed dreaming of planning for all of the above. It is time for our district to update our 5 Year Strategic Plan. As I begin to schedule listening sessions with staff, parents, and our community, I reflect on our current areas of focus: Curriculum, Technology, Facilities, Finance, Communications, and Safety. I, also, reviewed the ADE Standards for Accreditation focus areas: Academics, Student Support, District Operations and Fiscal Governance, Human Capital, Stakeholder Communication/Family and Community Engagement, and Facilities and Transportation.

Now, let’s add in the 5 focus areas for ESSER: Food Security, District Student Support/Continuous Learning Opportunities, Technology, Systemic Procedures, and Facilities. I am wondering (aloud or here in this article) if these areas should be the same as there are many overlaps, are there areas I am missing, and ultimately what will have the greatest impact on student achievement and success in life?

I thoroughly enjoy planning for a new school year and sitting in on conversations around master schedules. This is a critical component of planning and one I feel all administrators at the building and district level should be involved in. Are we building schedules to provide students with opportunities and experiences that will set them up for their future? Are we utilizing our staff efficiently? Are we being innovative?

Finally, I hope each of you are planning for some time off this summer. Self-care is crucial to our continued success in this most precious profession - education. While our summers get filled with professional development, don’t forget to schedule at least a few days away to clear your head and refresh your soul!

On a different note: the AAEA Board recently conducted our annual evaluation of our Executive Director, Dr. Mike Hernandez. I want to publicly thank him for the job he has done and will continue to do leading this organization. He does an exceptional job and was praised for being a great leader, being organized, being transparent with the finances/budget, being an excellent communicator, and advocating with passion!

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Asked & Answered Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director The call was regarding the Personnel Policies Committee (PPC). Could I clarify what the procedures are for adding new personnel policies or amending existing policies that will go into effect starting July 1 and what is the PPC's role in this process.

New policies and amendments to existing policies can be proposed either by the PPC or by the school board. New policies and amendments to existing policies can also be suggested to the school board by the school superintendent. If adopted by the board, the superintendent's suggestion becomes a proposal. The superintendent may also suggest any changes in personnel policies to the PPC. If the PPC approves a policy change and presents it to the board, the board can either accept, reject, or modify the policy change. If the board modifies it, the policy goes back to the PPC for further study.

If a new policy or amendment to existing policies is proposed by the school board, such proposal must be presented to the PPC at least 10 working days before the proposal is presented to the board for final action.

Just a reminder that the explanation above pertains to new or amended policies adopted prior to May 1 that will go into effect starting July 1. There are other requirements that pertain to adopted proposals (such as a retro raise) that would go into effect in the current school year. There are also specific requirements for policy changes that are adopted between May 1 - June 30 and other rules for policy changes that comply with state or federal law.

The law on PPCs starts with ACA 6-17-201. Be sure to review the specific requirements of any of the scenarios mentioned above if they pertain to your situation.

If you have questions for Mike, email him at m.mertens@theaaea.org.

Cross County High School Receives the 2022 NIET Founder’s Award Congratulations to Superintendent Nathan Morris, Principal Stephen Prince, and the rest of the Cross County High School team for winning the 2022 NIET Founder’s Award. The Cross County leadership team has delved deeply into the TAP System to develop a collaboration structure that builds teachers' skill sets and addresses the educational inequities and challenges of serving a rural community. Watch this video to get a glimpse of the work in Cross County or read more here!

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Compliance Connection Impacts of the Build Back Better Act on Kids and Education Submitted by Ginger Huff, Arkansas State Manager, American Fidelity Assurance Co. The recent Build Back Better Act (BBBA) includes provisions that directly invest in children and caregiving. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the BBBA on November 19, 2021. The bill now moves to the Senate, where its future remains uncertain.

Universal Free Pre-Kindergarten for All Three- and Four-Year-Old Children Under the BBBA, universal, free pre-kindergarten will be provided for all three-and four-year-old children, with funding secure for at least six years. This would mean free pre-school for more than six million children per year, and funding to increase the quality of preschool for children already enrolled.

Expanded Funding for Child Care The Build Back Better Act promises the vast majority of working American families of four earning less than $300,000 per year will pay no more than seven percent of their income on childcare for children under six.

Parents who are working, looking for work, participating in an education or training program, and who are making under 2.5 times their states median income will receive support to cover the cost of quality care based on a sliding scale, capped at 7% of their income. States receive aid to expand access to high-quality, affordable childcare for about 20 million children per year – covering 9 out of 10 families across the country

with young children. For two parents with one toddler earning $100,000 per year, this would produce more than $5,000 in childcare savings per year.

Extended Child and Earned Income Tax Credits The bill contains a one-year extension of the child tax credit. Originally expanded by a COVID relief bill, the credit benefits households by providing direct cash payments from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to qualifying taxpayers with kids. The program provides a monthly child cash allowance of up to $300 per child under six and up to $250 for each child between six and 17 years old. The Build Back Better Act would make refundability of the tax credit permanent. Separately, the measure would continue the expanded earned income tax credit for 17 million low-wage workers.

Increased Access to Education Beyond High School Pell Grants for low-income college students would increase by $550 from the current rate of $6,495 in annual assistance. The bill also increases funding for HBCUs and tribal colleges while adding funding for job training programs.

We'll continue to keep you informed on how you can prepare for any provisions in the BBBA that affect employers. We’ll also continue to monitor and communicate regulatory changes to help you succeed in benefits management.

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 About This Month’s Topics • CoSN 2022 Driving K-12 Innovation Reports • Leadership Strategies to Assure Student Data Privacy: The Trusted Learning Environment Seal • CoSN 2022 Annual Conference • CoSN Membership

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Administrator Spotlight:

Maurice Henry

Director of Facilities & Transportation, Hope Public Schools Maurice Henry, Director of Facilities & Transportation for Hope Public Schools, says he became interested in working in the field of education while still a student himself. "When I was a student in high school, Agri teachers kept me involved in the building, cutting, and hauling commodities for the food service to all school campuses. With that said, I got plenty of snacks and I enjoyed the young students." After high school, he attended Red River Technical Vocational School. Upon graduation, he began working at Hope Public Schools, where he remains now 35 years later.

Others might describe Maurice as someone who puts others first and is always happy. He believes that his calling is to help people and says that if he weren't in his current position, he would still be serving people somehow. Maurice says his goal is always to be a better person as he serves in the district and community. He says the best advice he has received is to love the people around you and the people will never forget your kindness. Over the course of his career, he has received several awards, including the ASPMA Blue Ribbon award, the National School Plant Manager of the Year award, and the UAHT Outstanding Alum of the Year award.

Maurice’s favorite part about his job is having opportunities to serve the students over the years.

He says, "It brings me joy seeing them now as adults making a difference in our community." As a Director of Facilities & Transportation, the most challenging part of his job is keeping both students and staff safe, with special concern for the students that ride the school bus daily. To those considering a similar career, he advises they "pray for patience each morning before getting out of bed."

Many people might be surprised to learn that Maurice is active in ministry. During his time off, he enjoys spending time with his immediate and extended family and his animals. When asked what he is most proud of, he replies, “[I am] grateful for my children and the opportunity to be a part of their lives. I’m grateful to God for this."

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!

Q&A ?

with

The most daring thing and probably illegal, was towing a vehicle without the permission of the owner. My friend and I, with our hands, lifted the vehicle and carried it to another location.

What’s something that amazes you?

People amaze me as to how they ask for permission; may I, can I, should I, would I. There are a lot of I, I, I, and I.

What major changes have you seen in education during your career?

The change in technology and the availability for staff and students.

What is one of the things on your “Bucket List?”

The opportunity to view the Grand Canyon.

When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

I would like to be remembered as someone who anyone would have felt blessed to have been around.

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

AAEA has been a great tool for school districts. AAEA is a voice for students and our communities. AAEA has the resources to help the employees serve schools better. If you are not a member, please consider it in the near future.

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2022 SASBO & AASBO Joint Conference April 5-7, 2022 Hot Springs, AR

UPC OMING EVENTS

Arkansas Association of School Business Officials is excited to partner with the Southeastern Association of School Business Officials to host this year's annual conference in Hot Springs, AR, April 5-7. Register here!

2022 ASPMA CFD Classes April 14, 2022 Conway, AR & Virtual

The Arkansas School Plant Management Association (ASPMA) has scheduled two (2) required and one (1) Certified Facility Director (CFD) classes for April 14, 2022, at the Special Services Annex in Conway, located at 1902 Harrison Street. Classes will also be live-streamed. Register here!

2022 AAEA/ASBA Joint Leadership Conference May 3, 2022 North Little Rock, AR & Virtual Join us for the 26th Annual Joint Leadership Conference on May 3, 2022, at the Wyndham Riverfront in North Little Rock, or via live-stream. Several topics will be presented including a legislative panel, information on summer programs, best practices in communication, and more. Register here!

2022 AAFC Spring Conference May 4-6, 2022 Hot Springs, AR

The Arkansas Association of Federal Coordinators (AAFC) Spring Conference will be held May 4-6, 2022 at the Hot Springs Convention Center. There will be educational break-out sessions, group collaboration, DESE updates, and much more. Register here!

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2022 School Law Conference June 1, 2022

Hot Springs, AR & Virtual Registration is now open for the 2022 AAEA School Law Conference, held on June 1, 2022 at the Hot Springs Junior Academy in Hot Springs, AR, or via live-stream. Register here!

2022 AASEA Summer Conference June 6-7, 2022 Little Rock, AR

Registration is now open for the 2022 Arkansas Association of Special Education Administrators (AASEA) Summer Conference, held on June 6-7, 2022 at the DoubleTree hotel in Little Rock, AR. Register here!

Over the Top Covering Those in Your Care: A Master Plan and the Supply Chain Problems Submitted by Janelle Nightingale, Communications Manager, Coryell Roofing & Construction School administrators begin each year with a calendar--a master plan, if you will--for how the school year will unfold. In-service days, holidays, sporting events, band and choir concerts, fall and spring breaks, and testing dates are outlined in advance so faculty, staff, students, and parents can know what lies ahead and plan accordingly. Well, a building’s roof needs a master plan, also. Keenan Young, General Manager of Coryell Roofing, explains that "a master plan is a longterm breakdown and budget for a client regarding their roofing needs." Young says that it allows school districts to "take stock of future needs and organize those needs" so that they can plan and be prepared for roofing improvements and repairs.

Having a master plan is more critical now than ever.

Kelly Coryell, National Sales Manager for Coryell Roofing, says that "the construction industry is in the midst of a supply crisis that is inflating standard materials at an unparalleled rate--in short, it's not going to get cheaper to repair or replace a roofing system. According to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) news release on February 15, 2022,

nonresidential construction input prices have risen 24.3% over the last twelve months. Some economists see inflation moderating in 2022, yet ABC states that "as of now, there is effectively no relief in sight for the nation's contractors."

The recent start of the war in Europe will only worsen the construction industry’s supply crisis. The chief economist for Associated General Contractors of America, Ken Simonson, writes that "[t]he war in Ukraine and the West's response are likely to have multiple effects on construction materials and costs and availability."

For the foreseeable future, manufacturers of roofing materials predict four to twelve months of fulfillment time for new orders. The longevity of each building’s health and the safety of everyone and everything within it depends on your actions taken today. “Prepare for the worst, hope for the best,” as the saying goes. Take urgent, responsible action to ensure that the safety and health of the lives and assets in your care are adequately covered.

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Benefits Corner Rethinking Employee Benefits for the Post-Pandemic World Submitted by Kylie Freyaldenhoven, Sales Operations Analyst, Educational Benefits, Inc. As vaccination rates increase across the country, and restrictions lessen and move towards a post-pandemic world, let us not lose track of the lessons learned from the past year and the need to reassess benefit programs and policies to better meet the needs of employees and their families.

makes sense—it is a powerful public health tool and gives employees the peace of mind to take care of what they need to without lost wages or fear of a bad performance review.

Time to Care is Essential

Employers and employees often have very different expectations of what “work” looks like, and the pandemic has forced a reinvention of what this will look like moving forward.

Office closures, social distancing restrictions, and children virtually learning at home all led employers to make flexible and work at home arrangements available where they could.

At the peak, as much as 70% of the workforce was remote.

Caregiving has been and will continue to be a significant part of many employees’ lives. Prior to the pandemic, one in five employees provided care to an aging adult with about a quarter spending more than 20 hours a week caregiving.

Overnight, the pandemic turned much of the workforce into caregivers, making the challenges of balancing work and home life much more visible with the burden felt across all industries and job levels. IBI’s analysis on the productivity impacts of caregiving revealed caregivers were more likely to need leave but not take it. They were also more likely to take incidental absences, receive performance warnings, and turn down a promotion.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was enacted to guarantee employees of small businesses emergency paid pandemic-related sick and family leave if they were infected with coronavirus, needed to care for ill family members, or deal with issues such as school/work closings. It was the first federal mandate on paid leave and removed at least part of the dilemma many employees faced —to take time to care for the health and well-being of themselves and their family or work because they couldn’t afford not to.

However, the temporary rules expired at the end of 2020.

Recently, a nationwide paid sick leave policy was proposed but in lieu of one now, many employers and workers are potentially susceptible to not only the risk of illness and infections in the workplace, but also the massive caregiving burden and its productivity and performance impacts.

Offering or expanding on current paid leave policies just

Flexibility is Paramount

Many businesses leaders who may not have been comfortable with work at home arrangements in the past have now seen their teams accomplish just as much—or even more—when they are not in the office or working the typical 9-to-5 schedule. The stigma associated with working from home has now disappeared, and employees are expecting to not revert to pre-pandemic norms. Add to this the shortage of qualified applicants for open positions, employers will need to think more strategically about all benefits to attract and retain workers.

The social determinants of work may also play a big part in their strategy. Aligning benefit offerings with an employee’s financial status, ethnicity, family makeup and other obstacles which would preclude them from fully participating and being productive in their position will be key.

At the end of the day, a company’s greatest asset is its workforce. It is important to rethink and adjust leave and benefit strategies to protect the physical health and mental well-being of their people. The ones that do will have the greatest success and will not only thrive post-pandemic but be better prepared for future challenges to come.

By: Kelly McDevitt

Scholarships Available!

AAEA and our Constituent Groups are proud every year to offer a number of scholarships to students in Arkansas.

Applications are available online at theaaea.org/page/scholarships.

AACIA GRADUATING SENIOR SCHOLARSHIP AACIA GRADUATE PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP AAGEA SCHOLARSHIP AASBO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AAFC SCHOLARSHIP AASSP SCHOLARSHIP AAMLA SCHOLARSHIP AASEA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP AASEA LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP AACTEA SCHOLARSHIP ASPMA SCHOLARSHIP C.B. GARRISON SCHOLARSHIP DR. KELLAR F. NOGGLE ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP GARY L. KEES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 11

Publication Sneak Peek: The Cutting Edge This segment features content from other AAEA publications. The Cutting Edge is a monthly publication available to AACTEA Members highlighting CTE initiatives across the state. The following excerpt comes from the March 2022 issue.

Rogers Heritage & Russellville Students Do Well at “Educators Rising” Students from Rogers Heritage High School and Russellville High School captured awards as part of an Educators Rising regional conference hosted by the Arkansas Tech University College of Education in late January.

Contest winners may be chosen by the state committee to attend the Educators Rising 2022 national conference June 24-27 in Washington, D.C. ATU, the ADE, and the Walton Family Foundation are among the entities engaged in a partnership that seeks to establish more Educators Rising chapters at high schools around the state, update the curriculum for introduction to education classes at high schools and support competitions for potential future teachers. Objectives of the Arkansas Educators Rising program include helping high school students gain information about obtaining a teaching license, financial aid opportunities available to future teachers and the outlook for the teaching profession in Arkansas.

Hot Springs School District Offering New Pathways Academy HSSD is proudly a host site for a new pilot program from The UAMS Division for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion called “Pathways Academy.” The district will host a Junior STEM Academy within the Pathways Academy Program at Park Magnet, an IB World School, in June-July 2022. K-5 students from all HSSD elementary schools are invited to apply to participate.

Pathways Academy is an innovative educational and community engagement program focused on preparing students for educational and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, math and health sciences (STEM-H) disciplines. The Junior STEM Academies are designed to immerse young scholars in a world of science that focuses on health while incorporating technology, engineering and mathematics. In addition to STEM-H, the program integrates concepts relating to mental health and wellness such as cyber-bullying and emotional intelligence.

Fayetteville HS Students Earn Industry Certifications Students in Foundations of Health Care classes at Fayetteville High School are working on completing industry certifications including Stop the Bleed, First Aid, and AHA Basic Life Support. These certifications are considered the industry standards in medical professions careers.

Interested in more from The Cutting Edge? Contact our office at 501-372-1691.

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The 2022 AAEA Summer Conference, Love Public Education: Changing the Narrative, will be held on July 25-26, 2022 at the Statehouse Convention Center and Marriott Hotel in Little Rock, AR. The event will feature keynote speakers, over 100 breakout sessions from inspiring educational leaders, an exhibit hall, and hospitality events. Join administrators from across the state to learn, network, and celebrate your love for public education!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!

Featured Speakers Dr. Joe Sanfelippo is the Superintendent of the Fall Creek School District in Fall Creek, WI...home of the Fall Creek Crickets. The Fall Creek School District was named an Innovative District in 2016 and 2017 by the International Center for Leadership in Education. Joe holds a BA in Elementary and Early Childhood Education, an MS in Educational Psychology, an MS in Educational Leadership, and a Ph.D. in Leadership, Learning, and Service.

Dr. Joe Sanfelippo

Joe co-authored The Power of Branding: Telling Your School’s Story, Principal Professional Development: Leading Learning in a Digital Age, and Hacking Leadership: 10 Ways Great Leaders Inspire Learning That Teachers, Students, and Parents Love. He was selected as 1 of 117 Future Ready Superintendents in 2014 and 1 of 50 Superintendents as a Personalized Learning Leader by the US Department of Education in 2016. Education Dive named Joe 1 of 5 K-12 Administrators to watch in 2018 and their National Superintendent of the Year in 2019.

Ben Springer is an award-winning and Nationally Certified School Psychologist.

Ben received his master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Utah in Educational Psychology. Ben has worked professionally as a teacher, autism specialist, school psychologist, and director of special education. Currently, Ben works as the director of the Family Education Center in Wasatch County School District.

Ben Springer 13

Ben has just released a new book for parents called, GPS: Good Parenting Strategies: The No-Guilt Survival Guide for Parents During the Pandemic and Beyond from Corwin Press. He is also the author of the popular book, Happy Kids Don’t Punch You in the Face.

Job Site Subscription Service 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 outof-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.

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 Dardanelle School District Gurdon School District Sheridan School District Smackover-Norphlet School District Melbourne School District Fort Smith Public Schools Sheridan School District Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative Jasper School District Jasper School District Pulaski County Special School District Paragould School District Benton School District Mountain View School District Carlisle School District Carlisle School District Valley View School District Gosnell School District

Position Instructional Supervisor of Literacy Curriculum Secondary Principal Principal (Middle School – Grades 6-8) Elementary Assistant Principal Teaching and Learning Director Middle School Principal Assistant Principal (Elementary)

Centerpoint School District Sheridan School District

High School Principal Principal (High School Grades 9-12)

WMDESC CTE – Perkins Coordinator School-Based Health Center Coordinator Elementary Principal Elementary Principal Elementary Principal Benton Junior High Principal Assistant Principal/Athletic Director Instructional Facilitator & Dyslexia Interventionist SPED Lead Designee Superintendent Elementary Assistant Principal

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Job Site Subscription Service District Name Huntsville School District Pangburn School District Waldron School District Pocahontas School District Rogers Public Schools Rogers Public Schools Rogers Public Schools Pea Ridge School District Jessieville Public School District Hope School District Bismarck School District White County Central School District White County Central School District Lee County School District Corning School District Jacksonville North Pulaski School District Ozark School District Pulaski County Special School District Camden Fairview School District AR School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts AR School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts Rogers Public Schools Arkadelphia Public Schools Junction City School District Berryville Public School District Visit Our Job Site For More

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Position Principal, Huntsville Middle School High School Social Studies/Dean of Students Elementary Assistant Principal Assistant Superintendent Assistant Principal (Elementary) Assistant Principal (Elementary) Principal (Elementary) Principal (High School) School Based Health Center Coordinator Curriculum and Instruction Specialist Middle School Principal K-12 Literacy Instructional Facilitator P-4 Elementary Principal Math Coach High School Principal Director of Finances Special Education Director and 504 Coordinator Secondary Summer School Principal District K-12 Math Coordinator Associate Dean for Arts and Humanities Associate Dean for STEM Principal (High School) Superintendent High School Principal Elementary Principal https://arkansas.schoolspring.com/

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