PROFILES IN EDUCATION - JANUARY 2024

2024 PROFILES in EDUCATION PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® is proud to recognize the contributions of school systems and educational organizations in our community.

They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing the best opportunities for our students. Join us as we salute the passion they share for education.

DOSOUTHMAGAZINE.COM

2024 PROFILES in EDUCATION PRESENTED BY

WORDS Dwain Hebda and Catherine Frederick some interviews have been edited for length and clarity

Do South® is proud to recognize the contributions of school systems and educational organizations in our community.

They set the bar for excellence and are committed to providing the best opportunities for our students. Join us as we salute the passion they share for education.

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P R O F I L E S I N E D U C AT I O N

the time students are given for daily prayer, Bible study coursework and weekly chapel services. All students, regardless of church background, are welcomed and accepted at 1st Lutheran.

1ST LUTHERAN SCHOOL

1st Lutheran students excel academically thanks to student-to-

There’s a lot that can change in any organization that lasts for

teacher ratios that ensure individualized attention and connection

170 years and 1st Lutheran School of Fort Smith, the city’s oldest

to additional resources to address any special learning needs.

school in existence, is no exception. The school has kept up

Technology is on ready display as well, with iPads in use in grades

with classroom technologies, teaching practices and curriculum

K-2 and Google Chromebooks issued to students in grades 3-8.

enhancements that have evolved over time.

The school augments its challenging academic coursework with a range of extracurricular activities to foster teamwork, creativity

But there’s one thing here that hasn’t changed a bit since

and social skills in music, visual arts, theater, and athletics, just to

congregants laid the foundation nearly two centuries ago – a

name a few.

Christ-centered environment that places an emphasis on moral and spiritual growth alongside of reading, writing and arithmetic.

“We recognize that academics are not one-size-fits-all and every student is a unique individual created by God,” Samuel says. “We

“The ‘1st’ in our name represents how we keep Christ first in everything

partner with parents to ensure that we meet the unique needs of

we do,” says Principal Samuel Fishburn. “We have been Christ-

each student, working to overcome areas in which they struggle

centered since 1853 when our founders decided that establishing a

and to build upon their academic strengths. At 1st Lutheran, we

Christian school was the most important task before them. That early

believe that with the right support, every student can reach their

vision is still in play today.” This philosophy can be seen at work in

full potential.”

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COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS INSTITUTE FOR THE CREATIVE ARTS One of the most unique and exciting educational programs in all of Arkansas, Community School of the Arts helps each student maximize their intellect, creativity, and social development through an immersive program of music, dance, visual arts, and theater.

“Artistic excellence is at the core of everything we do,” says Dr. Rosilee Russell, Founder, and Executive Director. “We offer programs and activities that meet the needs and interests of all students.”

The CSA program will soon open a bold new chapter. In November, state officials unanimously approved the application to begin a performing and visual arts charter high school in Fort Smith.

The new high school, called Institute for the Creative Arts, will open to students entering grades nine through eleven next fall, with grade twelve added in 2025. Registration for next year is open now for students currently in grades eight through ten, accepted on a first-come first-served basis.

As a public charter school, the Institute will be a tuition-free school open to all students with funding provided by the state. The new institution will be housed in the state-of-the-art CSA Center for the Creative Arts facility, slated for completion in spring 2024.

“We are so excited to be able to provide a special high school like this in Arkansas,” says Rosilee.

“We believe that the pursuit of mastery in an artistic field, combined with a strong sense of purpose, leads to great things for our students and our world. This is true whether a student pursues a career in the arts or in another rewarding field. ICA is going to have a tremendous impact on students all across our region.”

The new campus will also house CSA’s existing arts programming, the Susan Burrell Hutchinson Community Arts Connection, which offers after-school, evening and weekend programs for individuals aged three to adult. Group classes and private one-on-one instruction are offered, which include performances, exhibits and recitals. A weekly summer camp program for children and teens is also offered, as well as classes and private sessions in Music Therapy taught by a nationally board-certified music therapist.

In addition, CSA offers outreach and residency programs for greater arts access whereby instructors provide weekly arts outreach activities to underserved children at area elementary schools at no cost.

“CSA is important because of the opportunities it provides our students to express their creativity through the arts,” Rosilee says. “We develop programs that meet the needs and interests of all people, from the amateur to the highly gifted. We meet students where they are and use the arts to bring out their very best.”

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FORT SMITH PUBLIC SCHOOLS Fort Smith Public Schools (FSPS) offers its students a future-focused journey that equips them with the education and skills they will need to reach their full potential. The district introduces students to various career paths that best suit the student’s interests while complementing the student’s aptitudes.

The district starts this approach early. Staff begin infusing career awareness in kindergarten through fifth grade. Intentional career planning and guidance begins in middle school and continues through high school. By strategically charting a career path, juniors and seniors may ascend to the district’s pinnacle, the Peak Innovation Center (PEAK). The Peak Innovation Center provides an invaluable resource of concurrent college coursework through the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and skilled trade certifications from Western Arkansas Technical Center (WATC).

Overseeing the district’s Peak Innovation Center, Dr. Gary Udouj says, “We want all our students to think about their careers. The adage of ‘college or career’ is outdated. We know that every student is headed toward future employment. The pathway to that employment may include college – or not.”

While the link between education and career has theoretically existed for years, public schools have recently increased efforts to help students try on or test career options before investing in them.

FSPS students can explore career paths and take technical or college-level courses for free. Students begin their journey early. By sixth grade, students take a career awareness course for one-quarter of their studies. In seventh grade, the students take a semester-long career exploration course with hands-on activities.

“We do a lot with student assessments that reveal their interests and aptitude. Sometimes, they’re interested in something only because they’ve heard about it, but they might show aptitude in careers they don’t know much about. It’s our job to ensure they experience all career options, especially the ones in which they show great aptitude.”

In eighth grade, the student takes career coursework the entire school year. By charting a career course in eighth grade, the student feels more prepared to embark on their high school adventure. “ The earlier we talk to them about potential job options, the more time they’ll have to try some of them and determine what they like the most,” Udouj said.

At FSPS, our motto is “Believe. Belong. Become.” The work we do directly reflects our motto. We begin talking to students early, so they feel supported and encouraged and can start thinking about and believing in a professional future. No matter the student’s interests, FSPS has programs that help students identify pathways where they feel they belong, and a future where they know they can become.

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FUTURE SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH As an open enrollment public charter high school, Future School of Fort Smith requires no application or tuition. It stresses the same academic rigor and achievement as its peer schools and works every day to prepare its students for success after graduation.

But the relatively recent addition to Future School’s education offerings achieves these goals in ways that are different than its peer institutions. In addition to a challenging in-class curriculum, Future School also employs a robust network of community partners to provide internships and training in various career fields.

“We’re called Future School because our goal is to prepare our students for their future after high school,” says Kristan Mosely, Community Outreach Director. “There’s a lot of students who come here because they are interested in our internship program. They like the idea of graduating and actually being prepare for a career.”

Each student’s education is guided by Big Picture Learning, a practice that puts students directly in the center of their own learning. The first BPL school in Arkansas, Future School programs are highly flexible to help define and meet individual goals and needs.

“We focus a lot on hands-on learning,” Kristan says. “Our size, and the fact that we’re a charter, provides the flexibility that some students need. It’s not a one-size-fits-all model. Our goal is to help students succeed and if we can do that by changing things a little bit, then we are more than happy to do so.”

The school maintains relationships with local businesses and organizations that provide hundreds of internship opportunities in a variety of job fields. And, through an arrangement with Western Arkansas Technical Center, provides an opportunity for free college classes in technical and non-technical fields of study.

“Our internship program is one of the biggest things we do,” Kristan said. “We have kids doing internships right now in everything from being a barber to working in dental offices and veterinary clinics.”

Another unique feature of Future School is each student is assigned a faculty adviser who provides guidance and mentorship through the high school experience. “ Think of their adviser as a school parent,” Kristan says. “They guide the student through high school, helping them to determine what they want to do when they graduate and make sure their work and their grades are where they need to be. They follow the student through to graduation, eventually handing them their diploma.”

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GREENWOOD PUBLIC SCHOOLS Comprised of seven campuses and serving a population of just under four thousand students, Greenwood Public Schools set a high bar for academic excellence in Arkansas. Committed to providing a quality education for all students in a safe and nurturing environment, the district works together with parents and the community to prepare students to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century. “ The Greenwood School District has the long-standing vision of ‘Providing Excellence in Education,’” says Superintendent John Ciesla. “This tradition stems from a community that values education and has high expectations for all academic and extracurricular programs.”

The challenging curriculum is augmented by the latest classroom technology, providing students at all grade levels an optimum learning environment. The district also maintains a robust slate of extracurricular activities aimed at developing the physical, intellectual, social and leadership qualities of all students. “Research has shown that students involved in extracurricular activities show greater success in academics,” Ciesla says. “At Greenwood School District, we strive to find a niche where every student can participate and excel.”

Preschool students attend Greenwood Preschool Center, offering a certified teacher and paraprofessional in each classroom to maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio. Elementary education takes place at Westwood Elementary and East Pointe Elementary, both of which earned Lighthouse status by FranklinCovey and are Highly Effective Schools accredited centers for learning. East Pointe Elementary is a proud National Model PLC School.

Middle School students attend East Hills Middle School, routinely recognized as a Top 10 Middle School in Arkansas and is a Kindness Certified School, while junior high students attend Greenwood Junior High, a two-time Outstanding Middle School in Arkansas winner by Technology Student Association and ranked eighth-best middle school in Arkansas by Niche.

Finally, high school students attend Greenwood High School, which is ranked among the top high schools in Arkansas for exceptional ACT composite scores, an extensive roster of AP and concurrent college classes, as well as excellence in athletics, the arts and leadership development.

“Whether a family is new to the area or has lived here all their lives, we encourage everyone to help us continue the ‘tradition of excellence’ that has been long established for Greenwood Public Schools.”

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LearningRX LearningRx helps kids, teens, and adults build the skills they need for a lifetime of learning. Through customized one-on-one training, we help families with reading, math, or assist with a learning difference, such as ADHD or dyslexia.

LearningRx Fort Smith opened March 13th, with Dr. Janissa Jackson and her husband Justin as the owners. Dr. Jackson received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2005 from the University of Arkansas after completing specialty training in the evaluation and treatment of children and adolescents with Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Furthermore, she received additional training in the assessment and treatment of developmental concerns including autism spectrum disorders. Dr. Jackson began clinical practice in 2005 and has been practicing in Fort Smith since 2011.

Dr. Jackson has become passionate about providing additional options for those who struggle with cognitive processing and effective learning. This drive for more comprehensive care is what led her to pursue opening LearningRx in the River Valley. “I’ve been practicing psychology for eighteen years specializing in testing and diagnosis of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other concerns. While my career has been rewarding, never before have I been able to offer hope for lasting changes in cognitive skills such as focus, memory, speed, and auditory processing. LearningRx provides this and owning this franchise has breathed new life into my career. I maintain my clinical practice and still offer testing but seeing the results at LearningRx is the best part of my week!” Dr. Jackson stated.

Brain training is a series of fun, mentally rigorous exercises that strengthen attention, short- & longterm memory, processing speed, auditory & visual processing, and logic & reasoning. It’s designed to leverage strengths and improve weaknesses.

To date, LearningRx has helped over 120,000 kids, teens, and adults break through learning (and life) barriers via brain training. LearningRx River Valley has seen its first group of graduates and the powerful changes brain training made in the students and their families.

“Dr. Jackson and her team have been wonderful at working with our daughter to help her improve in the challenges she has faced with ADHD. Our daughter has been able to go from having to be reminded of each direction given to being able to follow 3-4 step instructions without reminders. We have seen improvement in her reading and math scores at school. Her focus and attention have both greatly improved. We cannot wait to see what she is able to do in the future.” N.W., Fort Smith, AR LearningRx is currently enrolling new students! Our brain training sessions can happen in-center or remotely. Give us a call; we look forward to helping you or your child!

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UNION CHRISTIAN ACADEMY James 2:18 tells us, “I will show you my faith by my works,” and no school ever lived that passage more completely than Union Christian Academy. Everywhere one looks at this faith-based institution one can see not only a devotion to a Christ-centered education but also how it serves families, enriches the community, and embraces students allowing them to walk confidently into the light of the future. “ The mission of Union Christian Academy is to provide an outstanding Christian education centered on a Biblical worldview that encourages all our students to reach their highest God-given potential,” says Ricky Massengale, Superintendent.

The school offers pre-school, elementary, middle, and high school and at every level the family atmosphere can be seen and felt. Union Christian Academy provides extended care to assist working families and financial aid to help those families afford tuition. At Union Christian Academy, qualifying families may also receive LEARNS Act EFAs paying roughly $6,500 of their tuition.

As for that tuition, the school is proud to offer an income-based model, its boldest effort yet to make a Union education available to as many households as possible. “ The heart of our model is equal sacrifice not equal cost,” Ricky says. “ The School Board established tiered tuition amounts that are proportionate to the school’s need and the city’s demographics. Because of our tuition model, more families have been able to access Christian education and we are able to equip more students with a high-quality education that integrates a Christian worldview.”

The servant mentality developed through a Union Christian Academy education doesn’t stop there.

In addition to the rigorous and award-winning academic instruction, students at all levels participate in U-Serve activities partaking in community service on the local, regional and national levels. These experiences culminate with Union’s juniors and seniors traveling as far as to Ecuador on an annual mission trip.

Academic highlights by school include: Preschool: Offering a loving, playful environment for three- and four-year-olds, the preschool is led by skilled teachers, producing kindergarten-ready students.

Elementary: Dynamic, traditional learning for kindergarten through fifth graders includes a challenging curriculum balanced with daily Bible readings and weekly chapel.

Middle School: Union middle schoolers are exposed to a culture of high academics as well as discipleship and encouragement, aimed at educating and shepherding the whole child.

High School: Union’s high school offers an academically challenging curriculum that guides students to reach their highest God-given potential through academics, extracurriculars, leadership and service.

“We’re proud of our 100% graduation rate, 100% college acceptance rate and that our students test above state and national averages, but Union is much more than that,” Ricky says. “At Union we are a family.”

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VAN BUREN SCHOOL DISTRICT Voted “ Top School District” for the 2023 Best of River Valley, the Van Buren School District (VBSD) is recognized as a leader in academics, athletics, arts, and beyond. VBSD has tremendous “Pointer Pride,” and aims to serve the community by providing a learning environment that enables students to attain their full potential and that promotes lifelong learning. This is accomplished through diverse course offerings, and by giving students access to programs that help meet their individual needs.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is incorporated at all grade levels.

Teachers integrate hands-on learning through agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship. Multiple campuses have thriving gardens and take part in FoodCorps, a national initiative aimed at connecting kids to healthy foods and practices. Each year, sixth graders are given the opportunity to attend NASA Space Camp. Van Buren High School (VBHS) students can learn business and design through involvement with the school’s spirit store, Pointer Place.

VBSD also offers a wealth of Advanced Placement and concurrent credit classes. Strategic partnerships with regional universities enable VBHS students to earn college hours, complete technical certifications, and earn associate degrees before graduating. Courses are provided at little or no cost to families, which save students time and tuition dollars and gives them a workforce advantage.

The commitment to excellence extends to extracurricular programs. In recent years, VBSD has captured state championship titles in band, wrestling, soccer, and baseball, and had record numbers of All-Region and All-State musicians. VBSD is also a leader in school safety. It was one of the first districts in Arkansas to employ full-time School Resource Officers at every campus. Schools also utilize modern safety technologies including surveillance and check-in systems.

High-quality education is impossible without highly qualified personnel. VBSD is among the top-paying districts for both new and veteran teachers. It also offers competitive benefits packages for both certified and non-certified employees. The District also features beautiful campuses and stateof-the-art venues. Recent years have included the construction of a new Pointer Activity Complex, additions to Citizens Bank Stadium, and transformation of the VBHS track into one of the state’s finest athletic complexes.

Pointer partnerships also abound. The Van Buren Education Foundation has invested more than $1 million into the classroom. The District’s own IMPACT Meals initiative helps ensure families in need don’t go hungry. PTAs, booster clubs, local businesses, and the Van Buren Chamber of Commerce also provide tremendous year-round support. “We are fortunate to be part of an amazing community that values education and understands the importance of investing in our schools,” said Superintendent Harold Jeffcoat. “It is because of our local leaders, partners, and families that we are able to provide a premier educational experience to our students at every level.”

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The Early Childhood classroom (ages 3-6) is a carefully prepared environment that enables the child to practice and master day-to-day learning while building concentration, coordination,

THE MONTESSORI SCHOOL OF FORT SMITH

order, and independence.

For more than five decades, The Montessori School of Fort Smith

harnessing their sociability, curiosity, and eagerness to contribute

has delivered an unparalleled, child-centered method of education

to their community through a robust curriculum that features

to generations of families in and around Fort Smith. “Our mission

biology, history, language, math, and arts.

Montessori

Elementary

(ages

6-12)

engages

students

by

is to cultivate a joyful learning experience that empowers students to be independent learners and creative problem solvers,” says

Montessori Middle School builds upon prior learning. Students are

Sarah Boone, Head of School. "Our vision is to build a diverse

provided opportunities for creative exploration, critical thinking,

and inclusive community of families and staff who understand

investigating occupations and exploring larger questions about

the power of a Montessori education and transforming traditional

society, in addition to math, language, literature, humanities,

ideas about how students learn."

science, and health.

The institution is divided into multiple areas and is the only

“As Montessori educators, our goal is to empower children

Montessori school in the River Valley, and one of only two in

to become self-motivated, independent, and compassionate

the entire state of Arkansas, to either be accredited or working

individuals who are able to successfully navigate our ever-

towards accreditation.

changing world,” Sarah says.

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