Springdale board celebrates teachers, ESL award, National Merit semifinalists and gains in AP performance

At its Nov. 11 meeting Springdale School District recognized multiple staff and students for recent honors and academic gains. Judy Hobson of the district’s ESL team was named Arkansas ARC TESOL Educator of the Year; the board read her nomination and Hobson described her long career supporting multilingual learners.

Alan Showalter, choir director at Southwest Junior High, was celebrated as Region 5 Choral Director of the Year. Showalter thanked colleagues and praised the district’s rehearsal facilities. The board also highlighted a caroling event Dec. 5 at Springdale High School.

Brad Lemons, a foreign language teacher at Springdale High School, was named Arkansas Foreign Language Teacher of the Year; he said the award—recently renamed in memory of Janela Armstrong Edlin—will send him to regional competition in Chicago.

The district announced eight National Merit semifinalists and outlined next steps: semifinalists will work with counselors and take follow‑up testing to advance toward finalist status next spring. District leaders also showcased growth in Advanced Placement participation and scores, noting increases in numbers of 3s, 4s and 5s and naming teachers whose classes met or exceeded global mean and pass-rate benchmarks.

Staff reported several schools received Office for Educational Policy recognition for high growth, and School Recognition funds under Arkansas statute were distributed to Don Tyson School of Innovation, Hellstern Middle School, Shaw Elementary and Tyson Elementary; specific award amounts were presented to the board. Superintendent and staff emphasized the district earned a district letter grade of AB under the new accountability system.

Board members applauded teachers, students and families for the achievements and asked for brief introductions from attending educators.