Award Winners

Jerrod Burns, Above and Beyond Award Winner

Jerrod Burns, Principal of Ozark Junior High School in the Ozark School District, was selected by the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) as the recipient of the 2021 Award for Service Above and Beyond. Dr. Richard Abernathy, AAEA Executive Director, and Mr. Jim Ford, Ozark School District Superintendent, presented Mr. Burns with the award in his district on December 8, 2020. On December 14, 2012, Newtown, Connecticut Elementary School principal, Dawn Hochsprung, gave her life in service to her school community. In her honor, each year AAESP selects a Pk-12th grade Arkansas principal who has made a personal contribution or sacrifice that has resulted in a significant impact on his or her school community. Mr. Burns has served as a special education teacher, coach, and administrator for the Ozark School District but his love for his students reaches beyond the confines of the classroom and ball field as he works to ensure all students have their needs met.

Kyria Wilson, AAMLA Assistant Principal of the Year

Kyria Wilson, Assistant Principal of the Hot Springs Junior Academy in the Hot Springs School District, was recently named the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrator (AAMLA) Assistant Principal of the Year. Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director, and Mr. J.D. Keeling, AAMLA President, along with Dr. Stephanie Nehus, Superintendent of the Hot Springs School District, presented Ms. Wilson with the award during a school board meeting on December 15, 2020. This award is given each year to an Arkansas middle level assistant principal who has succeeded in contributing to a positive and motivating environment for others and has been recognized as exhibiting exceptional leadership skills in the school community. Ms. Wilson is in her fourth year as assistant principal in the Hot Springs School District. Ms. Wilson plays a key role in creating a Professional Learning Community in which staff members work together to build a collaborative environment focused on student learning.

Chelsea Jennings, AASSP Assistant Principal of the Year

Chelsea Jennings, Assistant Principal of Lakeside Junior High School in the Springdale School District, was recently named the Arkansas Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) Assistant Principal of the Year. Dr. Mike Hernandez, AAEA Executive Director, Dr. Jared Cleveland, Superintendent of the Springdale School District, and Dr. Michael Shepherd, Principal, presented Ms. Jennings with the award at her school on December 1, 2020. This award is given each year to an Arkansas secondary level assistant principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students, and has been acknowledged by peers for exemplary contribution to the profession. Chelsea has served as a district leader in curriculum development and supported movement to standards based grading in her school. Social-emotional learning is a focus area for her as she strives to support her staff and students regardless of their needs. Chelsea is dedicated to the education of Arkansas students and very deserving of this award.