Executive
Viewpoint
July 1 officially
session. I think it is called baptism
starts a new school year in
by fire! Of course, he has been around the legislative side of the
Arkansas. There have been a lot of changes in our
Capitol for many years, so it will be a great match. Mrs. Thrasher is a firecracker in case you didn’t
schools since March, and there
know it. She does the work of three people and has the
will be a lot of changes starting We do not know exactly
experience to help school administrators from all levels. The combination of these two people
what the future brings in August, but we know we are going to do the best job we can to educate our kids.
will move the Association to the next level, and I truly believe that!
Dr. Richard Abernathy AAEA Executive Director
the school year in August.
Dr. Mike Hernandez
Change and flexibility will be the key words this year. AAEA has changed a lot the last few months as well.
We have a new AAEA Board President! Mrs. Debbie Atkinson,
We have become Zoom professionals! Zoom can certainly be frustrating, especially as educators are
B e rg m a n E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l Principal, begins her role as President on July 1. Due
typically social people and like to meet face-to-face. But we are all working through the new norm. The Annual AAEA Summer Conference will also look
to a resignation on the Board, she is starting this position one year earlier than she was elected to do. So, Debbie will also be baptized by fire, but her role as
different than usual. The AAEA Board voted to move it to an ALL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE on August 3-5. We
an administrator has prepared her for this position. Debbie has been in school business for 33 years and
still will have great keynote speakers and quality breakout sessions, just presented in a different format through Zoom. We still plan for this event to be a
served as a principal at Bergman for 19 years. She will do a great job of leading the Association this year.
great kick-off of the new school year, and we hope you will join us online. You should have received an email
School administrators and staff at AAEA have worked harder the last few months with fewer answers than
with additional details on the conference. We also have some changes taking place in AAEA
ever before. And you have done a great job! I know this has been stressful for everyone from administrators to parents and kids. But, as I mentioned last month,
leadership. I am very excited that we have Dr. Mike Hernandez and Mrs. Lennett Thrasher joining our team
you are the leader and the community expects you to lead. So, keep up the good work, see you at the
on July 1. You will have an opportunity to learn from them over the next several years as the Association continues to grow. Dr. Hernandez will take over the
summer conference, and let’s get those kids in school!
Lenett Thrasher
reins of AAEA January 1…right before the legislative
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