Thursday’s thumbs

Teachers have opportunities to inspire students

Let’s start this week acknowledging the big thumbs up deserved by all the teachers and support staff diving headlong into a new academic year with lots of new student faces swirling around them. A few days ago, this newspaper detailed the challenges of disparate pay scales for teachers between the larger and smaller school districts in Northwest Arkansas, and that’s an ongoing challenge in need of attention, but we know this: In every school in our state, there are educators and administrators giving it their very best to fill their students with knowledge and inspire them toward great things.

We salute those working in education who are willing to go beyond basic teaching to serve as encouragers and mentors. They are difference-makers. And for those teachers who struggle to find the passion, just think about this: Whose life can you change this school year? What kid will arrive at a critical moment during the year when a guiding hand or a understanding heart can make all the difference in how they pursue their future opportunities? Some might say “don’t put that burden on me, not for the paycheck I’m getting.” Others, however, see that as opportunity and will become the teachers students remember 20 or 30 years from now because of the difference they made in young people’s lives. The truth is everyone can make a difference in someone else’s life, but teachers, counselors and school administrators are uniquely positioned to serve as sources of inspiration and motivation as young people broaden their minds and their perception of what’s possible. We’re thankful for educators who embrace their profession with full appreciation of the potential they are in a position to unleash.

The folks out at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport this week officially opened the new $35 million parking deck, giving travelers an option for covered parking closer to the Alice L. Walton Terminal Building. It comes complete with a “wayfinding” system that shows drivers how many spaces are available on each level and a lighting system that shows where those open spaces actually are. It’s hard to believe this alleged “boondoggle” airport once derided as just a way to freight chickens to China has grown so much since its 1998 opening out in the middle of nowhere (where else would someone build a new airport?). Someone needs to invite Sen. John McCain and John Stossel, that rascally network news reporter, back for a visit. They both questioned whether the airport was needed or was just a favor delivered to a home state during the Bill Clinton years. It’s hard to say the Clinton presidency didn’t have its influence in getting approvals, but does anyone question the need anymore?

If a institution of higher education like the University of Arkansas is going to have Greek social organizations at all, the system has got to grow with student population. One might say the UA’s system hasn’t quite kept up, but it’s great to see the opening this year of new houses for Alpha Chi Omega and Phi Mu on Maple Street, further expanding capacity. Membership totals in the 11 sorority chapter organizations at the UA have grown 37 percent since 2012. Some suggest the glory days of the Greek system are in the past — and the occasionally idiotic hazing or sexual assault incidents contribute to that notion — but at their best, these organizations play a strong role in student life and in creating opportunities for lasting relationships between members and, over the long haul, between the university and alumni. They continue to go strong because they bring value to the college experience, sometimes overpriced and overplayed, but value nonetheless. It’s good to see the university working to strengthen Greek life as an opportunity for all students who want to be involved.

The story said some law enforcement agencies are switching from electronic shock devices, such as Taser brand equipment, to pepper guns for bringing unruly people under control. Critics — and competitors — say the pepper guns are unnecessarily harsh. They spray a small burst of liquid that produces a heat equivalent 500 times greater than a jalapeno pepper. Eeeyow! A sheriff in Cleburne County (Heber Springs area) says that can incapacitate a person for 45 minutes while a shocking device may last for a few seconds, which sometimes isn’t enough to get someone under control. It doesn’t hurt that the pepper guns are cheaper, either. We appreciate any nonlethal tool law enforcement officers can have at their disposal because that, we hope, means there’s less need for the lethal variety. As always, the best way to avoid any of it is to not get in trouble with the law or, if you do, don’t turn belligerent.