Administrator Spotlight

Ellen Phipps

Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Ouachita School District

Ellen Phipps, Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Ouachita School District, says that having children of her own helped inspire her to pursue a career in education. She states, "When I started college in 1989, I thought I wanted to be an accounting major with a minor in International Business. After having my own children and working with kids at the daycare I realized that I had a passion and love for children." When her family moved to Malvern in 1999, she finished her BSE in Elementary Education from Henderson State University and began working for Lakeside School District as a long-term sub. Her first “real” teaching position was at Oaklawn Elementary in Hot Springs for one year. She then taught 2nd grade at Malvern Elementary for a few years before becoming a literacy coach for the district. During that time, she went back to school and earned her MSE in Educational Leadership. She says, "I began working for Bismarck School District in 2012 as the district Curriculum Coordinator. After five years of working at the district level I decided that I missed interacting with kids. became the principal at Bismarck Middle School and worked at the Middle School for five years. A fantastic opportunity came up at Ouachita School District where I continue to work as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.”

Ellen says of her job: "I love learning, I love helping other educators learn and I love seeing teachers succeed within their own classrooms." The most challenging part of her job is helping teacher see the big picture. She says, "Teachers have a tough job and can get caught up in the day-to-day work. That’s not a bad thing. That’s where the real work is, but it’s sometimes hard to get them to look beyond." To those considering the career she says, "Do it! But, make sure you really love children. It’s so rewarding, but it's really hard work. It can be physically, emotionally, and mentally draining, but you’ll never regret it." The biggest change she's seen over her career is that there is less "off the cuff" teaching and more thoughtfulness and planning in the approach to educating students.

Ellen hopes others would describe her as passionate about her job, and she wants to be remembered as someone who worked hard and loved kids, doing everything she could for them. She says the best advice she's received is to always make decisions based on what's best for kids, and that's how she approaches her job. She says her current goal is to see her district, teachers, and students be the best that they can be. "Working for students and teachers is my reward," she states. "My own children and my students are my legacy."

? Q&A ! with Ellen Phipps

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

I love to cook. I love to garden. I love to can fresh vegetables. It’s so satisfying knowing you grew something from a small seed or plant and then made use of the fruits of your labor.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

I’m not really a daredevil, but I do love being spontaneous and trying new things.

What have you done that you are most proud of?

I have three children that make me extremely proud. They are all successful adults.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

I love to travel.

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

It’s the little things that make me happy. I’d love to get a camper and camp when I want to; to travel wherever I want. I’d love to visit the Mediterranean, Ireland, Germany. I’m really game to go anywhere…as long as I’m not cold.

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

I’d go back to the classroom to teach.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Retired?

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

I love networking and learning from others. As a member of AAEA and AACIA I meet some amazing people with amazing ideas.