Administrator Spotlight

Bryce Bennett

Director of Academic Assessment Services, Conway Public Schools

Bryce Bennett, Director of Academic Assessment Services for Conway Public Schools, says that while his entire family is made up of educators, it wasn't until college that he realized he wanted to be in the classroom himself. He began his career in education teaching U.S. History, U.S. Government, Psychology, and Sociology at Jonesboro High School and spent six years there before joining the Douglas MacArthur Junior High School administration team as an assistant principal. He says, "I had a blast teaching, but I quickly realized I was interested in school leadership and the impact I could have." From there, he then became principal at Greenbrier Middle School for four years before taking on the role of Director of Teaching and Learning for the Greenbrier School District. Now, he is in his 16th year in education, and is serving as the Director of Academic Assessment Services for Conway Public Schools. "Every step of the way, I’ve had phenomenal people in my corner, encouraging and mentoring me toward better outcomes," he says.

Bryce's current role encompasses Advanced Placement, ESOL and Migrant services, district testing coordination, and data analysis. His favorite part of the job is the support he's able to provide for students, families, and school teams. "I enjoy taking on challenges and finding solutions. Although everything we handle in education on a day-to-day basis is important, it’s particularly exciting when someone seeks help and I have the capacity to deliver a solution quickly." The biggest challenge is in ensuring he has critical knowledge in advance of any potential issues. "In my current role, there are many unique situations that arise with testing and English Learners, requiring both background knowledge and experience." He says anyone interested in the job should know that "the work will be hard, and you won’t always know what to do, but as long as you keep the focus on students, everything else will fall into place."

Bryce says the best advice he's ever received is to always lead with integrity and empathy. "A mentor once told me that decisions made with honesty and compassion will earn trust, even when the outcomes are difficult. That guidance has shaped how I approach leadership and relationships throughout my career." The biggest change he's noticed in education over his career is in how educators approach preparing students for the world as well as how they teach students behaviors. "At the beginning of my career, educators were ramping up efforts to create pathways to success for all students, from four-year universities to vocational schools and internships. In the last 5–6 years, we have seen students entering our systems with a variety of significant issues related to selfregulation and executive functioning skills." Bryce says while school leaders and teachers navigate this shift, for him the bottom line remains the same: "our work is to be the brightest spot in a student’s day—in some cases that means providing the safest, most well-fed, most attended to, and most invested eight consecutive hours they may experience. That is a big responsibility, and no matter how education changes, people will always answer that call."

? Q&A ! with Bryce Bennett

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

Traveling through Scotland for two weeks with three kids was quite an adventure. From navigating unfamiliar roads to packing in as much of the country as possible, every day was an experience. We explored castles, hiked in the Highlands, and embraced the unpredictable weather. It was definitely challenging, but I know it’s a trip the kids will remember forever.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

I love eating and traveling. We just went to Scotland this summer for two weeks, and Autumn and I have a list of countries that we want to visit. I love coaching soccer, and Bellamy, Jameson, and Sullivan all play, so we spend a lot of weekends at the soccer fields.

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

I’d love to attend a Formula 1 race in Europe someday, or even the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France. I’d also like to live abroad at some point, even if just for a few months.

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

I think making food for people would be a great experience. The best setting would be cooking something warm and greasy to serve from a food truck on a cold day—maybe grilled cheese and soup, or barbacoa.

What are the goals you are still working toward?

Eventually, I would like to serve as a superintendent for a school district. For now, though, I love my team and the work I get to do every day!

Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself continuing to grow as a leader in education, making a meaningful impact on both students and staff. I hope to take on greater responsibilities, influencing policies or initiatives that drive lasting improvements in our schools. At the same time, I want to stay deeply connected to the dayto-day challenges and successes of our educators, ensuring my leadership consistently reflects the needs of those I serve.

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

AAEA offers too many benefits to count, but for me, the easiest way to sum it up is this: AAEA exponentially increases my capacity to serve students by connecting me with a network of experienced professionals who know what works for students and how to help them reach their potential. Every year, I’ve expanded my network and made lifelong friends through AAEA. I know I always have people I can call if I hit a roadblock or need advice.