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Administrator Spotlight - Eric Hipp
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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 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.
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 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.”
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.
Eric Hipp
What is the most daring thing you’ve done? “Every day, I willingly go to a building with hundreds of 11- and 12-year-olds!”
What is the most challenging part of your job? “The growing need of mental health services is staggering. Meeting the needs of our students in this area often exceeds the training and expertise of the building principal and guidance counselor. Securing services with our local partners is good and all are willing, but the volume of need often outstretches our available services. The impact this has on teaching and learning becomes more visible each school year.”
What major changes have you seen in education during your career? “Technology is an obvious answer as is the emphasis on innovation at the classroom, school, district, and state levels. The recent focus on the science of reading has been the most encouraging. We have a moral obligation to ensure students can read. As a state, our commitment to honoring the importance of this obligation is wonderful, and I believe we will continue to see great change as a result of this focus for generations to come.”
What is the best advice you have ever received? “My mom would always say, ‘Stand up for what is right, even if you have to stand alone.’ However, I have noticed in my role as principal, when you stand up for what’s right, a crowd tends to form, and you rarely have to stand alone.”
What have you done that you are most proud of? “I have been a part of four different schools across three different districts. All were award-winning schools at the state and/or national level. However, each school is starkly different. I am proud to have the understanding that successful schools and successful leadership looks different based upon the needs of the community.”
What do you enjoy doing during your time off? “My family and I love traveling and especially visiting our nation’s National Parks. My daughters play soccer and basketball, so we spend a lot of time at a field or a court, which I love!”
