Administrator Spotlight

Stacey Southerland

Career & Technical Education Coordinator, DeQueen-Mena Education Service Co-op

Stacey Southerland, Career & Technical Education Coordinator at the DeQueen-Mena Education Service Cooperative, says she began her college education focused on becoming an educator, but was discouraged after an observation class at SAU. "All of my observations were in the elementary classroom and I knew that wasn’t for me," she says, "so I reverted to something I was familiar with and loved: agriculture." She spent several years working with her husband on their dairy, poultry and swine family farm, but after having her three children, she felt ready to begin her own career and her mind returned to teaching. "I began substituting at Foreman High School and knew that middle and high school was my passion. My Ag degree had a high number of hours in science which qualified me to teach general science and biology. I went through the non-traditional licensure program with the State Department of Education and added enough upper level math hours to have the approval to teach seventh and eighth grade math." While she was interested in career education, she wanted to teach at the district where her children attended, an opportunity that wasn’t available until 2010. She had the opportunity to apply for the family and consumer science position and spent five years in that position until the CTE Coordinator job opened beginning the 2014/2015 school year. She claims, "I am one of the fortunate people who can say, 'I love my job!' All of my experiences provided me with a background that was diverse to understand the needs of multiple pathways in career education while blending in the rigor of core academic skills."

Stacey says there are many things she loves about being a CTE Coordinator. "Promoting all areas of career and technical education and finding innovative opportunities for CTE teachers and students are the areas I am most passionate about," she states. She also enjoys the varied nature of the job. "One day I might be working with teachers, the next day on a student event or a variety of different things. I love the variety!" The most challenging part of her job is to stay ahead of the changes in education and to keep up with what industry needs educators to teach students. "The requirements within our education system can be challenging for teachers," she says. "While education changes within, it is often hard for us to make changes that industry needs. We often work within our own box and it’s difficult to find ways to help students acquire skills they need for life inside a box we can’t reshape."

Stacey says she would highly encourage anyone to have a career in CTE education, but also in education generally. "I have a very rewarding career and was motivated to do my best work in every job I've had," she states. "Of course, the day-to-day can get discouraging, but if you look at the big picture and the impact you make on the lives of others, teaching is a rewarding career. Every career has challenges, I love that education keeps you invested in youth and in our communities. I firmly believe that CTE education gives the opportunity for personal growth as well as professional growth. On top of that CTE education has some of the most passionate people I’ve had the pleasure to work with."

? Q&A ! with Stacey Southerland

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“It’s OK to wear ugly shoes.” When I first started teaching, I did not know the hours that I would spend on my feet and going non-stop all day. In my job, I might be in a classroom, an Ag mechanic shop or a greenhouse all in one day, good shoes are a must!

What might other administrators be surprised to know about you?

I’m a cowgirl! I love to attend the National Chuckwagon Races held in Clinton, Ar. We spend the biggest part of Labor Day week horseback riding and watching the chuckwagon races.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

During my time off, I enjoy attending my grandchildren's events. My girls are softball players in the Hughes Springs, Texas area and play select and league ball. My grandsons live closer and they are cowboys. We attend their rodeo events and playdays. My youngest will soon be two. I don’t know what his main interest will be, but we will add him right into the schedule!

I’m a crafter, I enjoy projects on my embroidery and laser machines. I like hands-on projects! Other than that, I enjoy working in my yard and putting around my greenhouse. I am also an avid reader, I usually read a physical book at night and listen to one during drive time.

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

I have a couple of things on my bucket list. I have never been on a cruise. When you own a poultry farm, you don’t travel much! I would also like to do the horseback excursion at the Grand Canyon where you ride to the bottom, spend the nigh and ride out the next day!

What are the goals you are still working toward?

I am still adding to my professional portfolio. While my license has Curriculum Admin, I am still working on increasing the areas I am qualified to do. I have made some progress in working toward a District Administrator License. I also have an interest in becoming National Board Certified.

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

I have always been a promoter of professional organizations. Being a member of AAEA has certainly helped expand my leadership skills. Serving on the board of AACTEA has also given me the opportunity to represent CTE in Southwest Arkansas. It can be added work, but because of my involvement with AAEA I’ve served in several areas within the state working on policy in education. I do not think those opportunities would have been available to me, nor would I have the knowledge I needed for input, if I were not a part of the CTE organizations in Arkansas. The people I have met and had the opportunity to work with is another huge bonus to being in professional organizations. We have great folks in Arkansas.