Rick Neal Superintendent, Pea Ridge School District

Preparing our students for success in the workforce can’t be accomplished without first looking to the needs in our own community. Superintendent Rick Neal discusses how Pea Ridge is emphasizing employability in preparing its students for success.

Angela Duran Director, Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading

The Arkansas Campaign for Grade-Level Reading launched Excel by Eight (E8) in partnership with 28 organizations across the state. E8’s goal is to ensure all Arkansas children have equitable access to health care and education that maximizes their full potential.

Thurman Green Policy and Community Engagement Associate

Crossett and Lee County, two ForwARd Communities, recently received grants to fund after-school programs in their communities. Thurman Green, our policy and community engagement associate, sat down with the grant writers.

Crystal Johnson CEO, Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce

Through their partnership with ForwARd Arkansas, Independence County has become a dynamic center of higher learning and training with unique educational partnerships that begin early in K-12 public schools and advance through partnerships with higher education and business.

Jerri Derlikowski Director of Research and Innovation

The Community Schools approach focuses on identifying the needs in a specific school and connecting students and families to community-based resources and supports that can help remove barriers to learning.

Dr. Nile Blunt Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is devoted to arts integration, an approach to teaching and learning in which content standards are taught and assessed equitably in and through the arts.