Degree candidates receive recognition at Henderson

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

ARKADELPHIA - Candidates for Henderson State University’s Educational Specialist degree program received their hoods in a special ceremony at Henderson’s Barkman House on May 9.

Candidates were Joy Graham, assistant elementary principal at Drew-Central Elementary; Jon Estes, baseball coach at Drew-Central High School; Judi Jenkins, DeQueen High School principal; Russ Johnson, curriculum coordinator at Horatio; Brett Smith, alternative learning environment dean of students at Watson Chapel; Laura Sanders, director of curriculum and assessment at Poyen Public Schools; Marvin Burton, principal of Henderson Middle School in Little Rock; Shirley Wright,Nashville Primary School principal; and Andy Curry, current Wickes High School principal and newly appointed superintendent of the Van- Cove School District.

Henderson’s Educational Specialist program in educational leadership is a response to the increased demand for prepared school leaders for the 21st century.

The program is accredited by the Educational Leadership Constituent Council, a part of the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education and the Arkansas Department of Education. The program is closely aligned to standards set by the Interstate School Leaders License Consortium.

The school leadership program is recognized throughout Arkansas as an exemplary program, and graduates are highly recruited as educational leaders.

To ensure that graduate students preparing for senior level educational administration positions and the superintendency have the opportunity to gain knowledge and skills necessary to be productive and successful chief executive officers, Henderson implemented the Ed.S. Program in fall 2003.

Diann Gathright serves as coordinator of the programs for educational leadership. Other faculty members are Pat Weaver and Johnnie Roebuck (retired). Judy Harrison is the dean of Teachers College Henderson.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 71 on 05/22/2008