Teacher of Year expected new bull
Poyen educator awarded $14,000
POYEN — Ouida Newton said Friday that she knew something was amiss earlier this week when her husband, Poyen Superintendent Jerry Newton, began receiving calls on his cellphone that required him to go out of earshot.
“I figured we were going to get a new bull, new tractor or something else for the farm that he didn’t want me to know about,” Ouida Newton said, laughing.
On Friday, the math teacher from Poyen High School learned the reason behind those covert phone calls.
Her clue: She walked into the school’s auditorium Friday and found 2014 Teacher of the Year Jonathan Crossley seated on the stage among other state and local dignitaries.
Officials had called an assembly at the southwest Arkansas school under the guise of recognition for the district’s exemplary end-ofcourse exam results. The Poyen School District — where nearly 60 percent of its more than 560 students are eligible for free or reduced lunches — boasts nearly 83 percent of its stu--
dents scoring proficient or advanced in its high school end-of-course geometry standardized test.
Packed into the auditorium, students, teachers and administrators jumped out of their chairs and threw their arms in the air as the room erupted into cheers and whistles after Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Tony Wood named Ouida Newton as the state’s new Teacher of the Year.
“Arkansas has some of the best teachers in the country, so it is extremely difficult to select just one teacher to receive this honor,” Wood said. “Ms. Newton has a strong teaching history and outstanding accomplishments, making her a deserving teacher for this recognition.”
“I love you, Miss Newton!” a student screamed from the crowd before he let loose a long whistle.
Tears streamed down her face as Ouida Newton approached the lectern.
“This is not for me,” Ouida Newton said, as she held the award up in the air. “Everything that I have comes from the Lord.”
The success of the Poyen School District, she said, was the result of teachers, administrators and support staff working together for the students.
“It’s Miss Marjorie keeping us in copies,” she said. “It’s you, the students.”
Ouida Newton, who has taught in the Poyen School District for 35 of her 37 years as an educator, graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in education from Henderson State University at Arkadelphia, with a double major in math and science. She received a master’s of library and informational science degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, graduating with a 4.0 grade point average.
Coaxing a line of kindergarten students along the covered sidewalk after the ceremony Friday, kindergarten teacher Angie Hicks stopped to give a congratulatory hug to Ouida Newton.
“She inspired me to be a teacher,” Hicks said. “She expects a lot from her students, and she makes you work for it. She knew what you could do, and there was no slacking.”
Allie Lamb — who was Newton’s student teacher last year and is currently teaching algebra and geometry at Poyen High School this year — said Ouida Newton “can teach anybody.”
“She’s more of a facilitator and lets the students lead the discussions. She tries to stay in the background,” Lamb said. “She brings a whole lot of positivity and experience to the classrooms.”
Fifteen-year-old Hope Emerson, a Poyen High School 10th-grade student, said that Newton “understands everybody’s way of learning.”
“You know how students are usually loud and rowdy? Her classroom was always quiet. Everybody respects her and learns from her,” Hope said.
Rachel Goodman, a 15-year-old 10th-grade student, said Newton takes into consideration “how students learn as individuals.”
“She’s really sweet and genuine,” Rachel said, adding that Newton has inspired her to go to college to become a math teacher. “She has taught me to get to know people one on one and to be a strong leader.”
Poyen High School Principal Dennis Emerson said it’s Newton’s dedication and personal touch that set her apart as an educator. She brings stacks of homework to grade at ballgames where she cheers for the players and sends personal notes to students during the summer when test scores are released, Emerson said.
“During the summer, when they’re redoing the floors in the hallways, she keeps a chair outside her window so she can climb in and out. She doesn’t let anything keep her from preparing for the students,” Emerson said. “That rubs off. Others see the commitment she has for her students. Her magic is teaching; it’s her purpose and calling.”
She will bring that perspective to the state Department of Education Board.
Arkansas law provides for the Arkansas Teacher of the Year to take a year of paid administrative leave for professional development purposes and to serve as a nonvoting member of the Arkansas State Board of Education, starting July 1.
“She will give us a very valuable opinion,” said State Board of Education member Diane Zook, who attended the announcement. “We’re finding that it’s great having teachers help us understand education in a day-to-day concept. As a former educator, I can tell you that they might learn from us as well. This gives them an opportunity to go to all the districts, and they can share best practices.”
For 2014, Newton received two honors — Arkansas Rural Education Teacher of the Year and Arkansas Middle Level Math Teacher of the Year.
Newton became one of 15 regional finalists for the state’s Teacher of the Year award, receiving $1,000 from the Walton Family Foundation. In September, she emerged from the field as one of four finalists for the honor. The organization awarded her $14,000 at Friday’s ceremony.
In addition, SMART Technologies of Canada awarded her the 2015 Teaching Excellence Award, which includes technology products for the classroom and training.
Newton is now eligible for the National Teacher of the Year program. Whether she wins, Newton gets another prize: a trip to the White House as Arkansas’ representative.