Executive If someone told me back in high school that I was going to have a career in Arkansas as a teacher, administrator and as an Executive Director of the Administrators’ Association, I would have laughed at them and wondered what they were smoking! Dr. Richard Abernathy The truth of the matter AAEA Executive Director is that I had no idea of what I wanted to do when I grew up and I am still not sure what I want to do when I grow up! But, my career path has certainly been one that I am proud to have walked through over the years. My career has been influenced by many people but none more so than my dad. I don’t think we realize as parents how much influence we have over our children. They are always watching what we do, what we say, and how we treat others as they grow up. I certainly watched Dad over the years and admired how he treated people. There were many others who influenced me over the years, as well – in fact, too many to name. I have worked with great support staff, teachers, and administrators who were always willing to share their professional knowledge and experience with me as I continued to grow. This was very beneficial in advancing my career. All of those influencers have played an important role in my career, but probably the least recognized, but most important, is the support of my family during my career. I will be the first to say, that my family sacrificed a lot over the years as I spent too many hours working trying to advance a district or job. I now try to share that experience with beginning administrators and encourage them to balance career and family. I think I would be much better at striking a balance at this point in my life, but I wasn’t very good at it when I first started!
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continue to move forward providing educational opportunities for our students. It has been an honor to serve administrators in Arkansas over the past decade. I realize that I have been blessed being able to lead such an organization as AAEA. I actually was part of the first AAEA summer conference meeting back in the 70’s. Now, I was just a kid running in the halls and swimming in the pool at the Camelot Hotel (DoubleTree). But, I do remember that school administrators met and networked together for a couple of days every summer. That networking continues even today. Unfortunately, the last few months the networking has not been able to take place in person, but I am thankful we have still been able to connect through Zoom. I talk about networking a lot when it comes to building your professional career, but actually networking is a way to build relationships, both professionally and personally. Our work comes down to having positive relationships with students, staff, other administrators, and the community. You have to learn who you can trust and who will be with you when the bullets start flying. Those are the relationships that will carry with you throughout your career and your life. I have people who I have not talked to in months but I could pick up the phone and they would be there if I needed them. Those are the relationships you can count on. My career in education is now ending with my retirement this month. It has truly been my honor to work with you and for you. I pray that God blesses you with a career as rewarding as what He has given me. If I can ever help you, please give me a call.
As you are all aware, education is changing and we as educators will need to change with the demands. But, knowing it and doing it are two different things. It is easy to go out there and say that we need to change. But what does it look like and how will the “change” be better for kids? Those are the questions to ask as you 1
