The Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts recently recognized educators from across the state with its annual Teacher Impact Award.
The Teacher Impact Award recognizes educators who helped shape and influence incoming students at ASMSA. Students nominated teachers who aided their growth both intellectually and emotionally. Every educator who was nominated received a certificate of recognition. A letter highlighting their recognition also was sent to each educator’s principal.
A committee of ASMSA staff members read through the recommendations to give further recognition to five educators from different regions within the state. These stand-out teachers received an additional gift.
Educators who received additional recognition this year include: Jennifer Armstrong of Lakeside High School in Lake Village; Heather Bradway of Nettleton Junior High School; Regina Davis of Harmony Grove High School in Benton; Arron Oliver of Eureka Springs High School; and Eric Perez of Nashville High School.
Teaching is hard work, and often teachers don’t know how much they have positively influenced their students once they have graduated or moved on to further their education. The Teacher Impact Award allows a more immediate recognition of how educators helped shape their pupils.
Jennifer Armstrong, who now serves as Lakeside’s STEM coordinator, was nominated by Elijah Stanton, a sophomore from Eudora. Stanton has known Armstrong since she was his Gifted and Talented teacher in second grade. He said that Armstrong introduced him to the world of STEM through projects, field trips, school functions and other activity. She became his Gifted and Talented teacher again in sixth grade and then later the coach of his school’s Vex Robotics team.
“She had already introduced me to the STEM world, but then she gave me an opportunity to be involved in it,” he said. “She is a major part of the development of my love for STEM. There were multiple times where she would stay at the school until 12 or 1 in the morning letting us practice.
“She gave up so much time with her family just to take us to a competition or on a trip. Her dedication showed me that if I really love something that I have to be dedicated and committed to it, like she was to us.”
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Raegan Smith, a sophomore from Jonesboro, nominated Heather Bradway. Smith was a virtual student while in seventh grade, attending classes solely online at Nettleton because of the COVID-19 pandemic. One constant supporter during that time was Bradway, who was the sponsor of the school’s literary magazine, newspaper and Beta Club.
Smith said Bradway continually encouraged her through the extracurricular pursuits while also stressing the importance of academics. It wasn’t until the end of the school year that she had the opportunity to meet Bradway in person, and when her eighth-grade year began, Bradway was again there to welcome Smith and make her feel more at ease.
“Mrs. Bradway has never failed to encourage me in my extracurricular and academic pursuits. She gave me the courage to try new things. She has influenced my life in more ways than one, and words cannot fully express the impact that she made during such a difficult time in my life,” Smith said.
Harmony Grove’s Regina Davis was nominated by Landon Seely, a junior from Benton. Davis taught three of Seely’s older siblings before having him as a student, making the experience feel more personal, he said. During his sophomore year, Davis’ class was early on Seely’s schedule and often set the tone for the day. It resembled a college class, requiring him to take many notes, which was unlike his other classes.
“Her class is the main reason why I chose the life science capstone” at ASMSA, Seely said. “She’s been teaching at Harmony Grove for a long while and deserves a reward like this.”
Nakoa Beattie, a sophomore Eureka Springs, said Arron Oliver is the reason that she loves studying history. Oliver was funny and made the best out of every situation, she said.
“He was a great motivator for me because of his interest in history,” Beattie said. “He was a great teacher, and I still remember a lot about his class.”
Norberto Garcia, a junior from Nashville, nominated his soccer coach, Eric Perez, who has served as a great mentor outside of class. Garcia said Perez’s “unwavering dedication, inspiring mentorship and profound impact on my life have been immeasurable.”
“Not only did he shape me into a better soccer player, but he also played a pivotal role in guiding me towards applying to ASMSA,” Garcia said. “Beyond the soccer field, my coach instilled in me the value of manners and respect, traits that extend far beyond sports. He led by example, demonstrating the significance of sportsmanship and camaraderie, which have become integral to my character.
“His impact reaches far beyond the confines of the soccer field, making him a truly exceptional educator and mentor. I am forever grateful for the lessons he taught me and the encouragement he provided, shaping me into the individual I am today.”