David Maxwell, Ed.S. - Administrator Spotlight

Spotlight

David Maxwell, Mena School District, High School Principal says, “I want to be remembered as honest, hard working and cheerful. How someone remembers us has a lot to do with how impactful we were on their lives. I hope that I’ve had that impact on the students and faculty that I’ve had the privilege of working with.”

David’s education career path began his junior year in high school when his agriculture instructor encouraged him to pursue a teaching degree in vocational agriculture. Of course, in the mid-1980’s he had no idea what this meant, other than he would have to go to college. Unfortunately, he was unprepared for the rigor of an agriculture science degree and needed to change his major at the end of his sophomore year. He chose a new direction guided by his interests in coaching and history. Something that has always been in the back of Mr. Maxwell’s mind is his failure as a high school student. He said, “This failure has driven me for my entire career, and helped me encourage the students under my care to work harder, smarter and prepare for their NEXT.” The ever changing NEXT drives him to continue to read and research careers of the future and offer good advice and encouragement for his students. David said “I see so much of me in so many of them, that I cannot help myself in trying to make sure they prepare for their NEXT as well as they can.”

He works as closely as he can with the students, encouraging them in their efforts, and helping them make the connections between academic achievement and career readiness. He sometimes feels the career readiness aspect of secondary education is under appreciated. He said, “The careers of tomorrow are changing at a rate unheard of in past decades. We, as high schools, can no longer just get by and let the kids worry about careers after they leave us. We have to put the effort into each student to allow them to learn how to be a learner first. This translates to them having the ability to be a hirable, promotable product once they enter the career workforce.”

There are always going to be challenges and obstacles to overcome in this career field. He said, “One challenge is always going to be the clash of cultures in each school and community. There is so much disinformation out there working against us, that trying to change a culture can be frustrating and downright impossible. Principals have to be stubborn and very thick skinned to survive in our current climate.” This challenge drives him to really appreciate any successes he has in his personal, professional and campus life, and celebrate the successes of his faculty and students.

As he continues his role in leadership he hopes that his faculty knows he holds the same expectations for them that he holds for the students. He said, “As our industry changes, and our approach to education changes, we as a faculty must change as well.” If he is going to learn new things in order to help his students, he also expects the faculty to learn new things as well. However, he does not think anyone that has ever worked with him could say that he did not support them in new learning and trying to reach students.

He began his leadership career by accident in high school. Every step of his career ladder has involved some form of leadership regardless of the organization. He has been privileged to be an officer and eventually a president of his high school FFA chapter, his fraternity in college, multiple community little league organizations, and Chamber of Commerce/ Economic Development groups in the communities of southwest Arkansas. The opportunity to be selected to a statewide board of directors for the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals and membership on the Arkansas Association of Education Administrators Board has really opened his eyes further to the greater reach of our organizations. He has brought those lessons back home to his campuses to improve their approach in mentoring those young adults. He feels this is his contribution to education leadership in our state.

What Are Your Goals? “I’ve had the same goal for fifteen years, create an educated workforce for the community I serve. I do not think we'll ever be able to quit this goal because it is so important to the community.”

What is the best advice you have ever received?

“Never accept criticism from someone you would not ask advice from.” In a leadership position, we will constantly be criticized for decisions we make. Most critics do not have access to the rules, regulations, data, and day-to-day challenges we face to make our environment as conducive to learning as we can make it. But, on the other hand, if someone you trust gives you advice, even if that advice hurts your pride and changes your direction, listen! We all have people in our lives that see things differently than we do, and we as leaders sometimes operate with “blinders on.” Being flexible enough to differentiate between good advice and bad takes a lot of time, and I still get it wrong from time to time.

What is something that amazes you?

The ability of our students to do whatever they set their minds too. They are truly amazing. The secret is to get them to buckle down and set their minds to a task. When we are successful in doing this, we create some of the best work and projects from the minds of these young adults. This amazes me every day.

What is something you are most proud of?

Being an advocate for our students. Being trustworthy enough for them to take the time to ask my opinion on whatever topic is puzzling them. Some of the most intelligent conversations I have ever had were with students trying to work out their plan for their NEXT. It makes me so proud to see them follow their plan as far as it will lead them.

What do you enjoy doing during your time off?

I enjoy the family farm. After 25 years of being away, I am finally back home and it is amazing. I enjoy working outside with animals and equipment. I take special pride in the harvest and sending our animals to market. Knowing that I have done everything possible to ensure a healthy, profitable animal for the market is something I cannot explain in words, but it is a great battery charge for me.

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

Jokingly, I have told people for years that I wanted to retire and “duck hunt the world.” In all reality I would like to travel with my wife to all those destinations I taught about in history class but have never taken the time to visit.