Executive Viewpoint - Dr. Richard Abernathy

Executive

Viewpoint

July 1 officially s t a r t s a n e w school year in Arkansas. There have been a lot of changes in our Dr. Richard Abernathy s c h o o l s s i n c e AAEA Executive Director March, and there will be a lot of changes starting the school year in August. We do not know exactly what the future brings in August, but we know we are going to do the best job we can to educate our kids. Change and flexibility will be the key words this year.

AAEA has changed a lot the last few months as well. We have become Zoom professionals! Zoom can certainly be frustrating, especially as educators are 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 different than usual. The AAEA Board voted to move it to an ALL VIRTUAL CONFERENCE on August 3-5. We 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 great kick-off of the new school year, and we hope you will join us online. You should have received an email with additional details on the conference.

We also have some changes taking place in AAEA leadership. I am very excited that we have Dr. Mike Hernandez and Mrs. Lennett Thrasher joining our team 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 reins of AAEA January 1…right before the legislative session. I think it is called baptism by fire! Of course, he has been around the legislative side of the Capitol for many years, so it will be a great match. Mrs. Thrasher is a firecracker in case you didn’t know it. She does the work of three people and has the experience to help school administrators from all levels. The combination of these two people will move the Association to the next level, and I truly believe that! Dr. Mike Hernandez

We have a new AAEA Board Lenett Thrasher President! Mrs. Debbie Atkinson, Bergman Elementary School Principal, begins her role as President on July 1. Due 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 an administrator has prepared her for this position. Debbie has been in school business for 33 years and served as a principal at Bergman for 19 years. She will do a great job of leading the Association this year.

School administrators and staff at AAEA have worked harder the last few months with fewer answers than 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, you are the leader and the community expects you to lead. So, keep up the good work, see you at the summer conference, and let’s get those kids in school!