Four inducted into Educational Leadership Hall of Fame at Southern Arkansas University
MAGNOLIA - Four regional educators were inducted into the Educational Leadership Hall of Fame at Southern Arkansas University on Tuesday, April 17, 2018.
The 2018 Educational Leadership Hall of Fame inductees included:
· Heath Miller, principal, Lake Hamilton Primary School in Lake Hamilton, Arkansas
· Barbara Garner, assistant superintendent, Crossett School District in Crossett, Arkansas
· Kim Cody, principal, Redwater Junior High School in Redwater, Texas
· Johnny Embry, assistant superintendent, Camden Fairview School District in Camden, Arkansas.
Also at the event, the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Pat Ward of McNeil, Arkansas. Jamie Boyd, director of admissions, Field experience and Licensure and assistant professor of education, also received the Educational Leadership Excellence Award. This award is given to an SAU faculty, staff or community member who has contributed to and supported educational leadership.
Dr. Trey Berry, president of SAU, welcomed the audience, and Ouida Newton, state board member of the Arkansas Department of Education, delivered the keynote address. Connie Wilson, assistant professor and director of Educational Leadership at SAU, introduced the guests. Regan Grubbs, 2018 Miss SAU, helped induct the educators along with Berry and Taylor McNeel, president’s ambassador and 20152016 National FFA President.
Berry said that this past year, SAU has seen an increase in the number of students interested in majoring in education. “Teaching is an influential and noble profession,” Berry said, praising the inspirational work of teachers.
In her remarks, Newton asked those present to think about what kind of superpowers they would most like to have, and told the audience that educational leaders possess “awesome power” that can change the lives of students.
She said great leaders can inform, direct and inspire students, describing those abilities as superpowers.
“You superheroes work together to lead and to provide your students with a quality education,” Newton said, thanking the educators for providing passionate and consistent leadership on a daily basis.