Administrator Spotlight - Eddie Crain

Eddie Crain, Director of the Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center, says taking the plunge into education might be the most daring thing he’s done!

Eddie Crain, Director of the Northeast Arkansas Career & Technical Center (NEACTC) in Jonesboro, says his favorite thing about his job is feeling like he has some impact on the lives of our future leaders. “[It] inspires me. And it helps to keep one young-spirited being around youngsters much of the time.” Eddie came to the field of education after spending many years working in radio, and later manufacturing. He states, “I can honestly say that if you asked me when I was in high school, ‘Eddie, what are the LAST things you see yourself becoming?’ My two answers would have been a wrestler and an educator.” Growing up on a small cotton farm his dad owned and operated in Trumann, he aspired to become a broadcaster in radio or a photographer - “much to the chagrin of my father. Dear old dad, a survivor of the Great Depression and World War II veteran, encouraged me to become a dentist or an optometrist.” Eddie graduated from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro with a degree in Communications/Radio-Television. While attending Arkansas State, he landed his first radio job as a student-staff announcer at KASU. “Next it was off to radio stations KFIN, KPCA and KDEZ. I served as Operations Manager and later as a General Manager of KXRQ radio in two separate stints and did a few voice-over commercials for KZOT and briefly for a Jonesboro low power TV station K45AY.” After his radio days ended, Eddie spent 18 years working in manufacturing, 6 years as a sales engineer and the remaining 12 years as marketing manager.

Eddie says it wasn’t until “that mid-life bell began to toll” that his gaze shifted toward a career in education. “I was led into education by a highly successful wife, who was a model educator. She loved the profession dearly. She cared for her students.” Both of his sisters were educators as well, and the message he kept receiving was “We sure could use more male role models in education.” Eddie enrolled in the Arkansas Non-Traditional Licensure program in 2004. “I had a special mentor in the late Jim Parrish, CRESC Director, who always made time for a cup of coffee and a pastry when we visited at the co-op in Harrisburg.”

Eddie began his educational career teaching at Trumann in the Fall of 2004. He says, “The first year was a dandy as I had no classroom.” Hired as a floating teacher, he taught one 7th grade section each in science and social studies and one 8th grade section of science and social studies, along with a section of ISS duty and senior parking lot duty. “I had to be really ‘popular’ with the teachers as I taught those sections in their classrooms while they were on their prep period. What a way to break in a newcomer!” He taught at Trumann for eight years, and for two of those years served as the director of the 21CCLC program while also teaching six periods a day. In the fall of 2011, he and his family relocated to Jonesboro, and he is now celebrating his tenth year employed at Jonesboro Public Schools. He says, “I have taught mid-level literacy at SUCCESS (the Craighead County ALE) and taught CBA at Annie Camp Junior High. I spent one year as an elementary assistant principal at International Studies before landing on my present perch as NEACTC Director in the Fall of 2014.”

Eddie says he’s become passionate about promoting career and technical skills attainment to students across NEA. One major change he’s seen over the course of his career is that manufacturers are more actively involved in education. “Manufacturers realize they must recruit to fill positions and support efforts by career centers to train students with the skills they need for high-demand positions that are very fulfilling as careers. Sending every student to college is not and has not worked in America in a long, long time.”

Eddie thinks his coworkers would describe him as “someone who expects their best, has their back, is passionate about what I do, truly cares about them, a guy that loves old red tractors and loves being a part of this center.” When asked what he’d tell someone considering a similar career he says “Eat your Cheerios and say your prayers because Jesus and germs are everywhere.” More seriously, he says “I would highly encourage this field IF you are willing to do whatever it takes to lead students, which is challenging but also rewarding. Don’t get in just to be off in the summer, that has little to no merit. Be passionate about everything you do and compassionate toward everyone (every stakeholder) that you come in contact with daily. That is my own formula that I recommend for everyone regardless of the field you choose.”

In his time off, Eddie enjoys working on old red tractors. “Growing up on a small farm in the 1960’s and 70’s gave me a love for old red tractors. I love going to toy tractor shows and have collected a few hundred 1/16 and 1/64 scale toy tractors. I also have four ‘real’ red tractors. One is a 4WD that serves as my workhorse. The other three are 1940’s era Farmalls, one my dad bought in 1978 when he retired from farming.” He says others might be surprised to know he served four terms as an alderman and served ten years on a planning and zoning commission, many of those as its chairman. When asked what he is most proud of, he says “I was allowed the undeserved privilege of fathering and raising two of the best children, Morgan and Tucker. So, it goes without saying that Morgan, my daughter, and Tucker, my son, are what I am most proud of.”

What’s something that amazes you?

“Nature’s beauty, the changing of the seasons and God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ.” Eddie Crain

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

“I jokingly tell others that learning to play a guitar is the only thing left on my bucket list and that I am putting off learning to play because if I don’t have anything left on my bucket list, well…”

What are the goals you are still working toward?

“Ensuring that NEACTC continues to be the very best darned secondary technical center that it can be.”

Where do you see yourself in five years?

“Pondering why one of those old red Farmalls won’t start while sitting on the deck of a cruise ship--in the middle of August.”

When people look back at your life, how do you want to be remembered?

“Fair, hard worker, cared about everyone, loved his wife and children dearly.”

What do you see as the biggest benefit of AAEA membership?

“Legislative updates are priceless.”