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would tell them two things: first, don’t get into a principalship if you can’t commit to 100% of the needs of your school. Being a principal is an honor and, I believe, a coveted role.” That’s Eric Hipp’s advice to anyone considering a career as a principal: that there’s a duty to honor the demands of the position, a job which requires the heart of a
“Creating a culture for teachers to be their best is a win for every kid.” Eric Hipp, Principal, Ruth Barker Middle School in Bentonville, says the curiosity of kids and how they learn led him to a career in education.
servant leader. Eric graduated with a degree in Middle Level Education from the University of the Ozarks, the first UO student to do so. He taught fifth grade science for five years at Kraus Middle School in Clarksville while earning a degree in Educational Leadership at Arkansas Tech University in Russellville. Later, he joined the staff as assistant principal at J.O. Kelly Middle School in Springdale. “In 2013, I left Springdale and was an assistant principal at Bentonville High School for two years,” he said. “I have now been the principal at Ruth Barker Middle School in Bentonville for five years.” One secret to his success as an administrator is creating a certain atmosphere that's most conducive to learning. “Kids will always be my favorite part of the job, but I truly enjoy working with teachers and helping them define what success in the classroom looks like,” Eric states. “Creating a culture for teachers to be their best is a win for every kid.” Eric, who was the 2012 Middle School Assistant Principal of the Year, is continuing his own education, working on Phase 2 of the Master Principal’s program. “I am biased toward the importance of the building
“I was raised on a farm in Prim, AR, and graduated from Westside Greers Ferry. I am a huge supporter of our rural school districts and wish all schools could experience the closeness of community experienced in our smaller school districts.”
principal,” Eric admits. “There is a lot to this craft, and I want to do it at a high level for a long time as long as I can innovate, create, and inspire.”
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Administrator April 2020
