The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts introduced its Teacher Appreciation Program by recognizing three educators from across the state who served as positive influences on students.
The Teacher Appreciation Program honors educators who served as mentors and had a positive impact on ASMSA students while they were enrolled in that teacher’s district. Each ASMSA student was asked to nominate one teacher from their previous school who they felt met that criteria. Each nominated teacher will receive a certificate and letter of appreciation. Three educators were selected to receive additional recognition — a $250 Amazon gift card.
The three educators selected to receive the additional recognition were
• Ethan Bumpass, an educator in the Camden Fairview School District. He was nominated by Collin Wycoff, a junior at ASMSA;
• Richard Greer, an educator in the Augusta School District. He was nominated by Camilia Nauden, a senior at ASMSA; and
• Kelly Riley, an educator at Fayetteville High School. She was nominated by Saoirse Disney-McKeethen, a junior at ASMSA.
Valerie Carpenter, director of admissions at ASMSA, said it is important to recognize the contributions of each educator nominated for the award because they help ASMSA students build the foundation needed to succeed at the public residential school for talented and motivated juniors and seniors.
"The Teacher Appreciation Program is an awesome initiative that will allow ASMSA to remain partners with institutions around the state,” Carpenter said. “At the same time, those teachers need to know and understand the impact they have made in their former students' lives and how that carries over here at ASMSA. Without them, we would not have the honor and privilege to be able to serve Arkansas' best students."