The Administrator Newsletter - February 2023

VOLUME 48 • ISSUE 7 FEBRUARY 2023

THE

ADMINISTRATOR

ROLL CALLS & MOTIONS & AMENDMENTS, OH MY!

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCACY AND NETWORKING FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS

Dr. Hernandez discusses items of interest as the legislative session kicks into gear.

Brian Kirkendoll examines the benefits of growing professional relationships.

Executive Viewpoint

President’s Perspective

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Viewpoint • P. 3 President’s Perspective • P. 4 CoSN Update • P. 4 Asked and Answered • P. 5 AAEA: On a Role! • P. 6 Administrator Spotlight • P. 7

ADMINISTRATOR SPOTLIGHT: KELLI CYPERT In the Spotlight this month is Kelli Cypert, Career and Te c h n i c a l E d u c a t i o n Coordinator at the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative.

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Upcoming Events • P. 9 Compliance Connection • P. 11 Awards • P. 12 Over the Top • P. 13 Benefits Corner • P. 13 Publication Sneak Peek • P. 14 Job Openings • P. 16

AAEA Staff

2023 Calendar of Events

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

February

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

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

Sharon Chuculate Fiscal Services Coordinator s.chuculate@theaaea.org

Sarah Shamburger Business Manager s.shamburger@theaaea.org

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

AASBO Conference, February 9-10, 2023 Hot Springs Convention Center Tel-AR Conference, February 10, 2023 University of Central Arkansas, Conway Aspiring Principals Workshop, February 13, 2023 Southeast Education Service Coop, Monticello ArkASPA Conference, February 23, 2023 Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock

March Aspiring Principals Workshop, March 2, 2023 Northwest Arkansas Education Service Coop, Farmington Aspiring Principals Workshop, March 30, 2023 Conway Public Schools Administrative Annex

April AACTEA Conference, April 10-11, 2023 DoubleTree Hotel, Hot Springs CASBO Certification Classes, April 11-12, 2023 Benton Event Center, Benton ASPMA Certification Classes, April 12, 2023 Benton Event Center, Benton

May ASBA/AAEA Joint Conference, May 2, 2023 Wyndham Riverfront, North Little Rock

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

AAFC Spring Conference, May 3-5, 2023 Hot Springs Convention Center

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

Melanie Thrasher Business Analyst m.thrasher@theaaea.org

AAEA School Law Conference, June 6, 2023 Jacksonville School District AASEA Summer Conference, June 12-13, 2023 Benton Event Center

July AAEA Summer Conference, July 24-26, 2023 Marriott Hotel and Statehouse Convention Center, Little Rock For more information, visit theaaea.org/events or see Page 9.

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2022-2023 AAEA Board of Directors Brian Kirkendoll AAEA President Principal, Alma

Dr. Karla Neathery AAEA President-Elect Superintendent, Sheridan

Stacy DeFoor AAEA Board Secretary Assistant Superintendent, Benton

Dr. Stephanie Nehus AAEA Past President Superintendent, Hot Springs

Skipper Ward AASA President Superintendent, Magnolia

Dr. Andrea Martin AASA President-Elect Superintendent, Greenland

Kelvin Gragg AASA Secretary Assistant Superintendent, Pine Bluff

Carol Skiba AAESP President Principal, Cabot

Shawn Rose AAESP President-Elect Principal, Hillcrest

Mark Lewis AAESP Past President Principal, Conway

Matt Ziegler AASSP President Principal, Riverside

Dr. Karla Tarkington AASSP President-Elect Principal, Beebe

Lisa Hotsenpiller AACTEA President Career & Technical Administrator/Supervisor, Fayetteville

Julie Adams AAFC President Federal Programs Coordinator, DeWitt

Carla Curtis AASEA President Director of Special Services, Fayetteville

Dr. Steven Weber AACIA President Assistant Superintendent, Fayetteville

Scott Smith Dr. Karen Lasker AASSP Past President ArkASPA President Principal, Western Yell County Director of Personnel, Conway Melody Crane AASBO President Business Manager/District Treasurer, Hector

Kevin Luck AASBO Past President Business Manager, Vilonia

Monica Springfield AAGEA President Gifted and Talented Specialist, Ozark Unlimited Resource ESC

J.D. Keeling AAMLA President Principal, Dardanelle

Aliza Jones Craig Dupuy ASPMA President (until Oct) ASPMA President (begin Oct) Facilities Consortium Superintendent, Cleveland Coordinator, Lavaca County

Jarod Morrison Tel-AR President Director of Maintenance/ Technology, Farmington

Dr. Mike Hernandez AAEA Executive Director

2022-2023 AAEA Corporate Sponsors Prestigious

Diamond (Continued)

Platinum (Continued)

American Fidelity Assurance Co. Cognia Coryell Roofing and Construction, Inc. Curriculum Associates Educational Benefits, Inc. Imagine Learning Lifetouch National School Studios, Inc. NIET - National Institute for Excellence in Teaching Performance Services Pro Benefits Group, Inc. Protect Ed Renaissance Learning, Inc. Solution Tree, Inc.

ClassWallet Edmentum Education Elements Energy Systems Group ESS First Security Beardsley Middleton, Inc. OnToCollege Rave Mobile Safety SmartData Dashboard Stephens, Inc. Tanium Winsor Learning

Lexia Learning Nabholz Construction Corp.

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

Distinguished Apptegy Pearson Virtual Schools

Diamond Baldwin & Shell ClassLink

Platinum AAMSCO Architecture Plus, Inc. C.R. Crawford Construction, LLC DotCom Therapy, Inc. Entegrity Energy Partners, LLC Legacy Construction Management

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

Silver American Bus Sales, Inc. Correll, Inc. French Architects, PA Hight-Jackson Associates, PA SEAS 2

Executive Viewpoint Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director

ROLL CALLS & MOTIONS & AMENDMENTS, OH MY! Welcome back to school and the opening of the 94th General Assembly. The session started slower than usual. That is to be expected with a new administration and many new lawmakers. I hope you are getting to know these new leaders and building a relationship that will help us tell our story during this session as well as the future. There have been various organizations around the state that are creating a buzz around education. Some work to give a negative perception of schools in Arkansas to promote their own agendas, and some try to defend public education. I am happy that people are interested in education, but I want to ensure they are genuinely there to help students. That is all a common ground on which we can agree. We know how hard we work for students and parents, but we must ensure the correct story and facts are out there. The facts are not always pretty, but we must discuss them and how we will improve. There will be a lot to like about new policies that are put in place by this legislature and some things that make us cringe. Hopefully, we are all in this together and will do whatever it takes to serve kids and improve educational outcomes.

We have a new Education Secretary/Commissioner. His name is Jacob Oliva. I have spoken with him several times and believe he is knowledgeable and has a heart for students. I could not attend the press conference when it was announced that Secretary Oliva was selected to succeed Secretary Key. I emailed Secretary Oliva with my congratulations and asked about connecting in the future. He called within the hour of me sending my email to introduce himself. That shows the kind of person he is. He also was able to attend our Superintendent Symposium and speak to our attendees. Secretary Oliva shared his contact information and asked our leaders to invite him for a visit. I think he will hit the ground running. I hope that Secretary Oliva keeps the customer service attitude that his predecessor had and listens to the voices of educators. He has no easy task ahead of him, but with you all as partners, many good things for students can happen. Welcome, Secretary Oliva!

We have started our AAEA Legislative Committee meetings. Our committees have met twice to review current bills that have been filed. As of this writing, we are tracking sixty-five bills. One bill that we are following is HB1122 concerning the school start date. This bill will restore the old language of the school start date to what it was before the 2021 session. It has passed both chambers and is awaiting Governor Sanders’s signature. This bill has an emergency clause, so it will be in effect soon as you plan your calendars for the 2023-2024 school year. We thank all who sponsored this bill for addressing this issue.

Another bill that we are watching is HB1192. This bill concerns altering the governance structure of our education service cooperatives. The ESCs are a vital part of the education support system governed by a representative from each member district. ESC Directors are taking the lead on working with the bill sponsor to address concerns and provide data regarding their functions. The Governor’s education reform bill is expected in the coming weeks. It will encompass her LEARNS initiative. We eagerly await the bill to be filed so we can review the contents. There have been several Executive Orders that the Governor has signed, and some focus on education. DESE leaders are planning to provide information soon about the impact of the EOs. We are so thankful for all of our members and what you do for students in Arkansas. We hope you will continue contacting your elected officials on issues factually and positively. We need to remain positive and present information to all parties to help them make decisions based on facts, not untruths, emotions, or biases. We know what we do for students and how special public education is for our state.

Supporting students is the main thing, and we must keep that the main thing.

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President’s Perspective Brian Kirkendoll, AAEA Board President

THE IMPORTANCE OF ADVOCACY AND NETWORKING FOR EDUCATIONAL LEADERS I was fortunate enough to have attended the Superintendent Symposium in January. Each time I go to a conference or professional meeting, I find something beneficial to take away. Being present, putting names with faces, and making connections always proves to be invaluable. In fact, the people is what make AAEA and its constituent groups special. The relationships and opportunities for growth are available if you choose to explore them. There are several constituent group conferences taking place in February and this spring, I hope you take the time to attend one of these so you do not miss out on an opportunity that may be awaiting you.

In addition to state level networking, these conferences often can open up avenues of conversation with lawmakers. As the state coordinator for AASSP, I, along with Dr. Karla Tarkington, will be attending our national advocacy days in Washington D.C. during the last week of March. A group of elementary principals representing the AAESP board of directors will also be attending. Please feel free to reach out to me if you would like to bring anything regarding education to the attention of our representatives or senators. They are usually quite attentive and interested in what we have to say and will welcome your input. Thank you again for leading and impacting Arkansas education.

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 •

EmpowerED Superintendent edLeader Panel Series: - Addressing Technology’s Diversity and Equity Through District Policies, Practices, and Personnel

- Leveraging Technology Tools to Provide Equitable Learning Opportunities for ALL Students

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Upcoming National Conferences - AASA NCE 2023 Conference - CoSN 2023 Conference

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CoSN Membership 4

Asked & Answered Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director

A recent question was regarding a district doing business with a firm that employs a school board member. This is a question I receive frequently, not always the same specifics but still covered under the Rules: Ethical Guidelines and Prohibitions for Board Members. This is a good time to review some of the components of these rules.

In general, it is a breach of the ethical standards for a board member to contract with the public educational entity the member serves if the board member has knowledge that he or she is directly or indirectly interested in the contract. However, there are some exceptions or considerations that would allow for this type of transaction.

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In unusual or limited circumstances, a public educational entity’s board may approve a contract, but not an employment contract, between the public educational entity and the board member if the board determines that the contract is in the best interest of the public educational entity.

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If it appears the total transactions or contracts with the board member for a fiscal year total, or will total, $10,00 or more, the superintendent or other chief administrator of the public educational entity shall forward all relevant data to the Commissioner for independent review and approval.

In regards to the specific question I received, it would be necessary to determine if the school board member in question directly or indirectly benefited from the contract. Here's the definition of "directly" or "indirectly."

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“Directly” or “directly interested” means receiving compensation or other benefits personally or to an individual’s household from the person, business, or entity contracting with the public educational entity.

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“Indirectly” or “indirectly interested” means that a family member, business, or other entity in which the individual or family member has a financial interest will receive compensation or benefits.

It is also important to know what "financial interest" does NOT include.

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“Financial interest” does not include (1) the ownership of stock or other equity holdings in any publicly held company; or (2) clerical or other similar hourly compensated employees.

For the specific question I mentioned at the beginning, it was determined that the board member in question was a "clerical or other similar hourly compensated employee" and, therefore, would not have a financial interest in the contract.

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

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AAEA

On a Role!

Sarah Shamburger Business Manager

Learn more about AAEA Staff and the roles they serve!

The newest member of the AAEA team is our Business Manager, Sarah Shamburger. Sarah has been here for 2.5 months and handles all things financial for both AAEA and our thirteen constituent groups.

Before joining our team, Sarah worked in Accounting/Payroll/HR for her familyowned hotels, and also worked for the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education.

Sarah says her favorite part of working at AAEA is “Everything! I love working with numbers!” Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her two granddaughters and listening to podcasts.

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Administrator Spotlight:

Kelli Cypert

Career and Technical Education Coordinator, Arkansas River ESC Kelli Cypert, Career and Technical Education Coordinator at the Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative, says she had no desire to teach or be involved in the career of education.

She received her Bachelor's in Accounting from the University in Central Arkansas and worked first in the banking industry. However, she left her job after the birth of her first child to become a homemaker and invest in her children. She says, "I began to volunteer daily at our local elementary school when our youngest child entered kindergarten. My husband told me, 'If you’re going to be at the school all day, you may as well get a job there.'" So, she applied for and accepted a paraprofessional position as a math tutor.

When her district discovered that she had a degree in accounting and aptitude in computer science programming, they offered her a position as a high school Business Education instructor. Kelli spent seven years in the secondary classroom while accomplishing a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification in Career and Technical Education/Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood and a Master’s Degree in Education.

In 2007, she accepted a position as the Director of School Improvement and Technology at the district level. During that time, she obtained an additional Master’s degree in Educational Administration, licensure as a building administrator, and certification as an Arkansas School Business Official (ASBO). Her current position as Career & Technical Education Coordinator allows her to further develop skills and invest knowledge within the scope of fiscal, administrative, and service-oriented job responsibilities. When asked to describe her position to non-educators, she says, "The summation of my job responsibilities is to help others." Helping others also happens to be her favorite part of the job, aside from working with fiscal applications, spreadsheets, and databases, of course. She says "I suppose God chose to give me delight in work-related tasks that other people don’t enjoy. That capacity has created a niche in every workplace in which I have been employed."

Kelli tries to remind others that educational careers do not pertain only to classroom teachers, and she enjoys encouraging individuals with varying interests to consider a pursuit within the educational environment as a career.

"The educational environment houses mechanics, nurses, physical therapists, accountants, speech therapists, statisticians, and multiple other facets of our community workforce. Many times in Arkansas, the educational institution(s) within the town are the largest employer." As a non-traditional educator, she thinks her perspective may be unique in comparison to many educators. She says, "My hope is that some of the major changes in education reflect a growth in understanding of the educational backbone of our society. My concern is that we have watered down some of the fundamental components of our educational system’s initial purpose and intent: to teach character, integrity, reading and mathematics to our children through qualified competent instructors in a safe and structured local environment."

Kelli says she continues to strive daily to remain knowledgeable about changes to federal and state compliance. "As a veteran educator, the importance of not only being knowledgeable about our educational environment, but also understanding how the waves of change effect our practice is invaluable. My most important goal is to ensure that each interaction, whether virtual, in-person, or through digital means, is kind. My goal, and life responsibility, is to help people, and endeavor to aid individuals so that they are in a better situation after our interaction than before."

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with

Almost every time I would leave our home as a child, my father would tell me, “Remember who you are.” The phrase didn’t mean to remember that I was David Joslin’s daughter, or even that I was a ‘preacher’s kid.’ The intent was to remind me that I was a child of God, and that I should act accordingly in private and in public.

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

Working in dual occupations is a standard for our family. I serve, not only as a CTE Coordinator for ARESC, but also as a Pastor’s wife. My husband, Steve, founded New Life Fellowship in Sheridan, Arkansas, in 1999. I have worked at his side, supporting and teaching our community’s children about biblical foundations while serving as a musician, and in any other capacity needed to help make the church successful. Teaching and helping others is my life’s calling.

What is the most daring thing you’ve done?

The most daring activity I have ever done was to climb the mountains bordering the Mākaha Valley of O’ahu.

Originally, the excursion began with my older brother who was stationed at Hickam Air Force Base, Pearl Harbor, in Honolulu. Due to his strength to climb, and my lack of stamina, we were separated midway on a cliff. My brother climbed up the cliff; I climbed back down. That’s when I learned the importance of being directionally oriented, no matter where you are. Exploring nature gains a whole new meaning when you’re lost. A number of hours later, after trekking through various environmental dangers, I was able to find my way. It’s an island, so I knew I would reach the ocean at some point. I just wasn’t sure where.

What have you done that you are most proud of?

With the birth of our first child, it became evident that the investment in our children would far outweigh any other asset. You see, if your children are blessed and successful, then you as a parent are in turn blessed and successful.

In spite of much professionally oriented advice against the decision, I spent eight years as a homemaker, until our youngest child entered kindergarten. It is by far the most rewarding occupation I have ever undertaken. During that time, we sowed and cultivated our belief in integrity, morals, and Christ-centered character in our children.

Time has proven that the investment in our children was a wise choice.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

Steve and I enjoy spending time with our five grandchildren playing outside or simply riding ATVs in the bountiful woods that surround our home, enjoying God’s created beauty. Gardening, tending animals and playing the piano are also favorite past times.

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

Professional organizations each have their own distinct purpose and intent. AAEA is an organization that encompasses the attributes of numerous educational administrative job responsibilities from district-level to building-level. The opportunity to develop state-wide relationships with individuals that share various components of administrative responsibilities and the training opportunities sponsored by AAEA are dynamic. AAEA has been an important element of training for me in every educational job capacity in which I have served.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

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Compliance Connection Tips for Retiring Early Submitted by Ginger Huff, Arkansas State Manager, American Fidelity Assurance Co. Do you want to take charge of your finances and retire well before you’ve reached 65? If so, you should consider saving early, building wealth, and eliminating as much debt as possible. Below are a few methods that may help you achieve your retirement and investing goals.

What does financial independence mean to you?

You should consider your financial goals and what retirement means for you. For some, when they retire, they don’t want to work at all and want to spend their time traveling, starting new hobbies, or spending more time with family. For others, this could mean working a less-stressful part-time job, starting their own business, or becoming involved in more charitable work.

Understanding your goals, values, what motivates you to become financially independent, and what age you want to retire is the most important part of your plan. It will help you create your strategy and focus on what matters most for you. The Retirement Calculator may help you understand how much you will need to save 11

based on when you wish to retire, and how much yearly income you think you’ll need to live the way you want.

Make saving and investing a priority If your goal is to retire early, you need to consider saving early too. The earlier you can save and invest, the more growth potential you have. One way to start is by participating in an employer offered taxadvantaged retirement savings plan and taking advantage of any matching program your employer may have in place.

Use Multiple Savings Options While employer-sponsored voluntary retirement plans are a great place to start, you should continue to educate yourself on different investment options to customize your plan. Learn more about retirement savings, Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), using a Health Savings Account (HSA), and buying life insurance plans that can grow a cash value.

Awards Dr. Julie Quast AAMLA Assistant Principal of the Year Dr. Julie Quast, Assistant Principal at Lakeside Middle School in the Lakeside School District, was recently named the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrators (AAMLA) Assistant Principal of the Year.

Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director, along with Mr. Shawn Cook, Superintendent of Lakeside School District, presented Dr. Quast with the award on December 23, 2022.

Robyn Keene Truett Goatcher Arkansas School Business Administrator of the Year Robyn Keene, Chief Financial Officer of Conway School District, has been selected as the 2023 Truett Goatcher Arkansas School Business Administrator of the Year by the Arkansas Association of School Business Officials. The award was presented during a surprise presentation at the Conway School Board meeting on Tuesday, January 10. Mrs. Keene will also be recognized at the AASBO Conference on February 9.

Nominations Solicited for the 2023 Howard Wallace Federal Coordinator of the Year Award The AAFC Board of Directors will recognize the Howard Wallace Federal Coordinator of the Year at the 2023 AAFC Spring Conference on May 3-5. To make nominations, please complete the form linked below and email to Karen Dean at k.dean@theaaea.org. Deadline for nominations: February 10, 2023.

The late Howard Wallace passed away in 1994 after a lifetime of service to the teachers and children of Arkansas. As a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and long-time ADE federal program advisor, Howard “made a difference” in the lives of those who knew and worked with him. This award recognizes an Arkansas educator for outstanding service to public schools and for “making a difference.”

Nomination form 12

Over the Top Tap into the Energy Flooding Your Rooftop Submitted by Deveny Cay Wells, Editor, Coryell Roofing & Construction In the summer of 2022, 10 Wise County Virginia high school students helped install solar panels expected to save the school district $7.5 million in 35 years. This educational opportunity rewarded students with credits toward becoming solar and electrical engineers as well as a $17 an hour stipend.

In October of this year, the Chula Vista Elementary School District in California "flipped the switch to solar installed across 46 schools." The 18,000 solar panels created a microgrid projected to save the district more than $70 million in the next 25 years, in part, by providing electricity from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. when electric rates are highest. An additional benefit is the backup energy provided for the district’s IT Department, additional servers, and the child nutrition freezer.

As of the fall of 2020, Arizona's Tucson Unified School District was home to the largest K-12 solar project among K-12 schools. Solar energy powers 80 schools and is expected to provide cost savings of up to $43 million over

a 20-year period. The system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 31,000 metric tons each year.

Schools across our nation are tapping into the sustainable energy pouring onto their rooftops. They are taking advantage of policy changes at federal and state levels and at utility entities that make solar energy an affordable means of: • saving on energy costs and reallocating those funds for other needs • providing students hands-on educational experiences and job opportunities • securing a backup energy source • contributing to community development and job creation • reducing carbon emissions The idea of researching, planning, financing, and installing solar energy can seem daunting. That is why we, at Coryell Roofing and Coryell Energy Solutions, stand ready to help. When your school is ready, give us a call!

Benefits Corner Critical Illness and Heart Health Submitted by Emily Cole, Marketing Coordinator, Educational Benefits Earlier this month, the frightening collapse of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin during a Monday Night Football game turned the country’s attention to heart health and highlighted the importance of cardiac care, treatment and emergency medical response.

Unfortunately, it sometimes takes a personal tragedy or high-profile news event like Hamlin’s collapse to remind us of the importance of monitoring our own health. CDC data show one person in the U.S. dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease and the American Heart Association research says nearly half of American adults have some type of cardiovascular disease. Now more than ever, it’s time to focus on your heart health and making plans should you be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or suffer an unexpected cardiac event.

Next, you will want to consider how you can prepare yourself and your family should you be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or other serious conditions or should you suffer an unexpected medical emergency.

If cardiovascular or other chronic diseases run in your family, you don’t want to wait to make plans. The last thing you’ll want to deal with when diagnosed with a critical illness is paying bills.

Critical illness insurance is a type of insurance policy created to help you bridge the gap financially in the event of a sudden critical illness, such as a heart attack, stroke, or cancer diagnosis. Taking out a critical illness policy can help you be prepared for whatever comes your way and allow you to stay focused on recovery. With these policies, you receive a lump sum payment that can be used however you see fit: to pay for deductibles, and copays, unexpected recovery costs, or even everyday costs such as groceries or mortgage payments.

For more information reach out to an EBi representative to see what options we can offer you!

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Publication Sneak Peek: Instructional Leader This segment features content from other AAEA publications. Instructional Leader is a quarterly publication available to subscribing districts. The following excerpt comes from the December 2022 issue.

Relationships: The Key To Success Contributor: Justin Neel, Principal, Caddo Hills High School Can you remember your favorite class or subject from high school? I’m pretty sure it had more to do with the person teaching the class than it did with the actual subject. The teacher was able to cultivate a passion and desire from you about whatever topic they discussed in class because they knew you and your classmates. They worked hard to develop a strong professional learning relationship that withstood tough conversations, rigorous assignments, and fair grading. From it all you emerged stronger, wiser, and dedicated in your pursuit of your personal success.

For many students in our great state they find joy in school because of the people that work in education. They are inspired and impacted by their teachers, coaches, and administrators. Together they forge bonds that last well beyond that graduation ceremony and with just a glance at the grocery store or smile in the parking lot they pick up right where they left off. The need for positive

professional relationships within our school system is vital to the future of our state and national economy.

Caddo Academy is education built for our students.

Our focus is simple, we strive to create an engaging learning environment for all students, no matter their academic ability. We believe that every student has greatness at their core and with the right relationships we can foster a positive learning environment in which every student can GROW into their calling. Starting this school year, we have implemented the Leader in Me curriculum during a dedicated period daily on our campus for grades 7-12. This Leadership period focuses on the seven habits of highly effective people. Our staff continued 14

are ensuring that our students zip code does not determine their potential.

Our desire is to empower students to make the best decision for them to become Life Ready. We desire to see Caddo PROud graduates that possess the skills and determination to evolve in our ever-changing workforce. By starting the first entrepreneurship and community leadership focused high school in Arkansas, we hope to instill a growth mindset in our students that creates the jobs of the future while maintaining our core belief in community. and student leadership have been equipped through training and have implemented programming this year.

This focus for social and emotional learning will build the foundation needed to carry out the mission of Caddo Academy.

Caddo Academy is not stopping at just engagement, we also want to expose students to their potential career paths and expectations after high school. We are building synergy around our current and expanded career and technical education programming, as well as, partnering with two regional community colleges to offer students as many career and technical pathways as possible. Through a 1.25-million-dollar charter school sub-grant funded by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center we have been able to transform our campus into a hub for career and technical programming offering 11 career pathways on campus and even more through our partnerships. We are investing in equipment, high-quality instructional materials, and resources that will give our Indians access to the same programming as larger schools. We

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This investment and innovation Caddo Hills School District is making in Caddo Academy is all about building and maintaining strong professional relationships between our staff, students, families, and community. We hope to engage learners every day, expose them to their potential futures, and empower them to make the best decisions about their future.

Our community is focused on helping every student become life ready. We realize that money and programming alone will not make the necessary changes to impact student learning and growth that we desire to see. Our staff is committed to building strong relationships with students, families, and community to better prepare our Indians. It’s always a great day to be a Caddo Hills Indian and at Caddo Academy the Education is Built for YOU!

Interested in more from Instructional Leader?

Contact our office at 501-372-1691.

The AAEA Job Board can now be found at arjobsined.schoolspring.com The AAEA Job Board is a calendar-year subscription that assists districts with the everincreasing 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.

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 Searcy Public Schools Batesville School District Gentry School District Gentry School District Riverview School District Benton School District Helena-West Helena School District Prairie Grove School District Mountain Home School District Hampton School District Gurdon School District Rogers Public Schools Jonesboro Public Schools Clarksville School District Gentry School District Berryville School District

Position Middle School Assistant Principal Business Manager/District Treasurer Intermediate School Assistant Principal Primary School Assistant Principal Junior High School Assistant Principal Assistant Superintendent Deputy Superintendent Superintendent Principal Superintendent Superintendent Assistant Principal Technical Center Director High School Assistant Principal District Treasurer Technology Coordinator 16

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