Teacher, student receive honors
SEARCY — Harding Academy social studies teacher Angela Adams and freshman Carson McFatridge were selected for special learning opportunities by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans. Adams is one of 30 selected from a pool of 469 applicants.
“Angela is an excellent teacher who provides challenging and engaging lessons for her students,” said Darren Mathews, Harding Academy high school principal. “She really cares for her students and is able to relate and teach to a wide variety of learning styles.”
As a recipient, Adams will participate in the Summer Teachers Institute hosted by the museum, as well as travel to Pearl Harbor in summer 2019 as part of a nationwide group of educators dedicated to developing and sharing the best strategies for teaching about World War II.
“World War II has always been my love,” Adams said. “What got me into history was talking to my grandpa about his service in World War II.”
Upon receiving news of her award, Adams was told about the student opportunity, the Billy Michal Student Leadership Award, named for a 6-year-old boy who organized a scrap-metal drive. The award is given annually to one student from each state who demonstrates the American spirit through community service.
“Carson immediately came to mind for me,” Adams said. “When I began compiling the information for her nomination, I realized I knew a fraction of how amazing she was. She has done so much, and that’s in addition to scholastic achievements that are impressive enough on their own.”
McFatridge has worked with 4-H and Girl Scouts on several community projects, such as hosting a supplies drive for service dogs in the military, creating first-aid kits for Jacob’s Place and creating a fishing-supplies checkout system with the Bald Knob library.
“Children in the community can come and check out fishing poles and tackle,” McFatridge said. “They check out one or two books, so they’re learning in the process. Then they get to go home, and they get to spend quality time with a family member.”
McFatridge will represent Arkansas in New Orleans this summer and be honored alongside representatives from the other 49 states and the District of Columbia.