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ALT MAGAZINE | AUGUST 2020 | ALT-MAG.COM
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As for me and my house we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
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LOCAL TEACHERS -TERA BARRETT -SUMMER BURKES -GAIL HATFIELD -HAL HILLIS -CERETHA BROWN-LEVINGSTION -BRIAN MATTHEWS -TINA MOORE -LAKESHA TAYLOR -TAINA TURNER
HIGHER EDUCATION
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covering the ark-la-tex
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From the Publisher not being able to go to school. It broke my heart. Every day we would return to the doctor’s office to get it checked. We would make my lunch for school just in case I was released. Every day for over a week I was told to go back home. I was so disappointed because I loved being at school. I cannot imagine how our children today are handling not being in school. Of course, now there are so many other resources to stay in touch with others, but humans need to be with other humans. Technology is good, but nothing is better than actually being around those you care about. I hope that our schools reopen safely and responsibly and things return to our “new normal.” Somehow I don’t think school will ever be the same – but does anything really stay the same?
It’s already time for school to start. I can remember years ago, when I was in elementary school, I was always so excited for school to start. It meant that I could see all of my friends again, learn something new, and get back into a routine. Summers were good, but school was better. When I was in the second grade, I had a bicycle wreck just after the start of school that year. I injured my left foot really badly, and was sent home to recover and keep any weight off of it. I was told not to return to school until it had healed a little. I will never forget
Administrators and teachers are working diligently to prepare for whatever happens this school year and we are so excited to be able to highlight some of the finest educators in the area. I have had so many wonderful teachers and principals throughout the years, even while getting my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I loved going to school, no matter what I was trying to obtain! Enjoy learning about these amazing leaders. You may find out something you never knew! May God bless you and yours…
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TERA BARRETT SEVENTH GRADE AT NEW BOSTON MIDDLE SCHOOL
‘Most Likely to Become a Teacher/Mom’ and ‘Most Likely to Get Lost in the Woods,’” Tera says. Like many teachers, Tera had both fantastic teachers growing up and teachers that were anything but fantastic, but she still learned from them and the way they conducted class. She also loves to watch her fellow teachers at NBMS and gain inspiration from them. For her, the best thing about teaching is developing relationships with students. “It’s so great to watch them grow and succeed throughout their school career,” Tera says. “On the other side of that, the worst thing about teaching is developing relationships with students and then watching them leave to continue their school career.” It is always surprising to students that teachers have a life outside of school. When she is not teaching, Tera loves spending time with her husband, her two children, and their pets. They have a kitten, Max, and three Great Pyrenees: Maezi, Mila, and Moose. Her weekends are filled with friends, family, and church. On Sundays, Tera leads worship at her church, New Covenant Life, in New Boston. “I sing and play the keyboard. I love getting to do what I feel God has called me to!” Tera says. “I try to live my life by the words of Romans 8:28 which says, ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.’ This means, to me, if things aren’t good, God’s not done! This keeps me going.” Tera Barrett has been named “Teacher of the Year” in both 2017 and 2020 at New Boston Middle School. “I feel honored to be the teacher chosen to represent New Boston ISD,” Tera says. “There are so many amazing teachers that surround me and make me better. I am so thankful and blessed to teach at New Boston ISD.” Tera said it’s no surprise that she chose to go into education. “I mothered others around me, but at the same time, I tended to be a little scattered. So, I’d say that I would probably have been deemed, 010
Though Tera and her husband owned a local restaurant, The Cobbler Shoppe, for a while, Tera actually does not enjoy cooking. “My husband loves to cook and is the cook around our house,” Tera says. “My family thanks me for leaving that alone.” Tera dreams of going on vacation to Hawaii, Mexico, and Europe, but she spends most of her summer break teaching summer school. “I only get a few weeks of true summer break. That time is normally filled with my son’s baseball tournaments, water park trips, and around-the-house projects,” A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
Tera says. “This summer has been very different due to COVID-19, but we are trying to make the best of it still.”
before getting to the right name,” Tera says. “I tell my students, if I learn your name fast, that ain’t a good sign!”
If Tera won the lottery and could give up teaching, Tera says that she would love to do foster care full time. “It would be great to just love on children that need it,” Tera says. “That’s why I am a teacher, I get to do that all day long.”
Specifically, during this global pandemic, Tera is grateful for technology that has made life easier, but she knows first-hand that nothing can replace the interaction between students and teachers. “I have seen over the last few months that they most definitely need that connection,” Tera says. “I hope that my students will remember me as being a good role model. I want to be someone that made them feel loved and that they knew I truly cared about them not just their grades or schoolwork.”
Before she goes to work every morning, Tera spends some time drinking coffee and having quiet time. “BOTH are needed and make me happy. Everything’s better with a little coffee and a whole lot of Jesus,” Tera says. “Then I wake my teenagers up by singing to them and annoying them bright and early. They really love that!” Through her time as an educator, Tera keeps things fresh by trying to be silly when she can and keeping a sense of humor with the kids. “They seem to listen more when they are trying to catch my jokes,” Tera says. “I’ve also had many embarrassing moments in the classroom. I have slipped; I have spilled food and drinks on myself or in class. I have made lots of mistakes, but I always try to use these things to remind the kids that teachers are human too. And then I laugh at myself along with them. It happens.”
If Tera could pass on any wisdom to her students, she would tell them several truths she has learned along the way. “I would tell them to put God at the center of their life and learn that your words matter. Love with all you have and know you are worthy of love yourself,” Tera says. “Be a leader to those around you and not just a follower. Change the world. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING!”
Even though Tera loves all of her kids, it takes a while to remember all their names. “I don’t remember my own children’s names. I will call out ALL the names
Q&A with Tera: 1. What song/songs do you know all the lyrics to? “Worship and 90’s rap. You never know when you will need one or the other.” 2. What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies? “My Bible for sure, and can I please take Audible.com? I read/listen to too many to pick just a few!” 3. What current trends are baffling to you? Why? “TikTok dances just crack me up. I will be having a conversation with a student, and they are all the while practicing the latest TikTok dance. I have to look at them crazy for them to even realize they are doing it. Oh, and all the 80’s trends coming back, scrunchies and mullets...I mean, do I need to explain that one?” 4. What are your must-have smartphone apps? “Oh man...My Bible App, Pinterest is a MUST of course! My bank apps, AUDIBLE!!, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon, Sonic, Chick-Fil-A and Dominos, Google Maps for sure! Wayfair!! Facebook, Skyward, Google...so many more.” 5. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? “Let’s all go to Disney World! We could definitely figure out some educational benefits to that trip, I’m sure.” A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
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SUMMER BURKES T H I R D G R A D E A T S T. J A M E S D A Y S C H O O L
in the classroom can help turn traditional dull subjects into interactive and fun activities,” Summer says. “It also assists students who struggle with learning disabilities.” Summer says one funny memory from the classroom happened the day that state representatives were visiting her classroom. “A student of mine told them that I had just gotten married,” Summer says. “The student said, ‘They did it on the beach!’” If she could enroll in another teacher’s class, she would pick Mrs. McCarley’s. “She is our art teacher,” Summer says. “Painting, sculpting, and drawing all day? Yes, please! We are largely responsive to visual cues. Pictures have the ability to make us feel happy, excited, disgusted, and curious among other things.” On the weekends, Summer loves watching college football and grilling out with family and friends. However, she will not be the one cooking. “My husband is the head chef, to be honest,” Summer says, “I can pour a mad glass of merlot though!” Summer says that her greatest accomplishments are celebrating 10 years of marriage with her husband and raising their three children. Summer says that the best part of teaching is that it is never the same from one day to the next. “The constant flux of variables makes this position a never-ending kaleidoscope of variety and change,” Summer says. “However, I hope that my students will remember my classroom is a safe, fun, and loving place.” Summer loves to get to know her students and put names with faces on that first day of school. To make her classroom fun, Summer likes to integrate technology. “Technology 012
During the summer break, Summer’s family loves to swim, fish, travel, and go camping, but she has yet to go on her dream vacation: a railroad journey traveling in Alaska to fish and observe wildlife. She said that if she could take the students on a field trip anywhere in the world, she would take them to the Amazon rainforest. On Sundays, Summer can be found as a part of the praise and worship team at Christian Warriors Church. She says that she knows the lyrics of too many songs to count! A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
Also, Summer says that her hidden talents are photo editing and floral design, and if she won the lottery, Summer says that she would travel the world with her family, start a floral business, and hire a professional musician to teach her how to play a handful of instruments. To get excited for school, Summer starts the day with lots of coffee and a morning devotional. “God is my greatest inspiration,” Summer says. “I’m also inspired by music, serving my family and friends, and my faith.”
Q & A with Summer: 1. What would students be surprised to find out about you? “I tried out for American Idol.” 2. If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share? “Write things down. Your brain isn’t a perfect storage device.” 3. Is there a quote you try to live your life by? “‘Don’t worry about a thing. Everything is going to be alright’ by Bob Marley.” 4. What are some pets you’ve had or would like to own? “Our basset hound, Shelby, passed away last spring. She was 14 years old. Hopefully, a baby basset is in our future!” 5. If you were given a superlative in high school, what would it have been? “Most likely to be late to her own wedding.” 6. What are your “trapped on a deserted island” books or movies? “My Bible, Bushcraft 101, A Field Guide to the Art of Surviving the Wilderness.”
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GAIL HATFIELD
F O U RT H G R A D E M AT H AT R E D L I C K E L E M E NTA RY S C H O O L Since Gail started teaching, technology has changed exponentially. She is baffled at her students’ newfound interest in TikTok and says that though she doesn’t understand the appeal, it looks fun! “Technology has come a long way since I began teaching,” Gail says. “Keeping up with new programs is a challenge, but I am willing to adapt because it paves the way for a superior learning experience for my students.” However, some things have not changed in the world of education. Teachers are still a huge influence in children’s lives especially when they listen and show they care. “One small way I keep my teaching fresh each year is by listening to my students’ different ideas and incorporating them in the classroom. The best thing about being a teacher is developing a relationship with students and seeing their pride when they grasp a new concept,” Gail says. “Also, from a teacher’s perspective, one of the greatest accomplishments is when a former student tells me they wanted to be a teacher because of my influence.”
Gail has been an educator for 40 years, and she says that her experience as a teacher has been filled with rewards and treasured memories. “I consider it a privilege to have been an integral part of molding their minds academically and socially,” Gail says. “I have always expressed my adoration through my words and actions so that my students feel loved, secure, and motivated to become the best person possible. I believe in extremely high expectations and meeting each child where they are, enabling them to attain high personal goals.”
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Most of her students would be surprised to find out that Gail was a first runner up and talent award winner in a beauty pageant. She also has a hidden talent for singing. Gail grew up in a Christian home, and from an early age, she knew “The Baptist Hymnal” from cover to cover. She said that she knows verses one, two, and three of almost every song, and her faith guides her every day. “I start every morning by having quiet time with Jesus and a great cup of coffee with cream,” Gail says. “My favorite verses and the words I try to live by are Proverbs 3:5-6 which says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path,’ and Philippians 4:13 which says, ‘I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.’”
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On the weekends, Gail enjoys dining out or watching a good movie with her husband and their pets. “I have loved two cats and four dogs,” Gail says. “My lab, Honey, and my Springer Spaniels, Molly and Muffy, will always be my favorite.”
If Gail could pass any wisdom on to her students, she would tell her students to wrap their life around love and laughter. “When these are embraced, life’s lessons seem to naturally fall in place,” Gail says.
Gail’s dream vacation would be to go back to Hawaii with her husband, but for now, Gail spends her summer breaks relaxing and spending time with her family. If she won the lottery, she would travel to the many beautiful places in the United States and then set her sights on Europe. She also says that if she could take her students on a field trip anywhere, it would be an African safari. “They would never forget the majesty of the scenery and the exotic animals,” Gail says.
Gail is looking forward to the new school year and realizes it will be filled with new challenges. Understanding it is going to be an adventure of uncharted waters for teachers, parents, and children, she advocates practicing patience, and she plans to navigate the year with an open mind and warm heart ready to embrace her children once again. “I hope that long after the school year is over, my students will always remember my classroom as a place of fun, compassion, and a platform for loving to learn,” Gail says.
Gail says that if she were given the opportunity to enroll in any teacher’s class, she would choose, Mrs. Brandy Farrar’s technology class. “I would choose her class because I had the opportunity to see her as a second-grade teacher and now a technology teacher,” Gail says. “I see the excitement in the children’s faces when they enter and leave her room. She makes learning fun and has always been an open book of knowledge.”
Q & A with Gail 1. What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies? “My book would be the Bible, and movies would include The Notebook, Fugitive, and The Sound of Music.” 2. What inspires you? “I am inspired by someone who overcomes a major obstacle without complaining and embracing dignity in the process.” 3. If you could grow up in any decade, which would you choose? “The 1950s! I heard it was a carefree period of time and the music was the best.” 4. What can you cook to perfection? “I can cook a delicious chocolate cake.” 5. How do you remember all of your students’ names? “To learn their names, I study the class roll before the students arrive. On the first day we participate in fun games to get to know each other.”
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HAL HILLIS
A G R I C U LT U R A L T E A C H E R A T H O O K S H I G H S C H O O L day. “I have learned way more from my students than I have taught them. I love our inside jokes and their view on life. I love that for seven and a half hours a day, they are truly loved and cared for and safe. “If I could pass on any wisdom to my students it would be to always stay positive and believe you can accomplish anything that you want to,” Hal says. “I also treasure the amazing men and women who teach beside me and share my joys and sorrows. I love that we never stop investing in our kids.” If Hal won the lottery and was able to get out of education, his choice would be to stay in education. He would continue teaching and use the money to enrich the lives of students. “I help the more disadvantaged students to realize some of the goals they have. I would help some of the students attend college or trade school,” Hal says. “That would give me more satisfaction than having the money myself.” Even on the weekends, Hal finds himself working. “My Saturday late nights are usually spent in a truck pulling a cattle trailer filled with students eating Whataburger returning from calf show events,” Hal says. “Watching my students master a skill they have tried so hard to learn or seeing one of them have success in the show ring. I also see pride in knowing that something I taught a student has helped them be successful in life after school.”
As the agricultural teacher at Hooks High School, Hal Hillis does not have the summer off. Instead, due to his 12-month contract, he continues to work at the school attending the registered cattle breed show, Texas State FFA Convention, and Ag teachers’ conference. But Hal wouldn’t have it any other way. “I wake up excited and ready for school every day,” Hal says. “I have always said when I dreaded doing something, I would change professions. I have not woken up one time and wondered why I was a teacher.” Hal says that he is inspired by his students every 020
However, Hal also makes time to do some things he loves, including attending rodeos with friends where he enjoys calf roping as a sport. “I have owned roping horses over my lifespan. My current partner in the rodeo arena is a horse named ‘Aidos’, meaning ‘Goddess of Modesty and Humility,’” Hal says. “I also have owned two, Blue Heeler dogs. Blue Heelers are outstanding cattle dogs, intelligent, very loyal, and protective of their companion. My first Blue Heeler was named ‘Wizard’ and she traveled everywhere with me.” On his first day of teaching, Hal was worried that the students would not show him respect nor would they be interested in learning. “I was wrong on both accounts. If you make the subject interesting, they are willing to learn,” Hal says. “If you treat students with A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
respect and show them you truly care about them, they will show you respect.” To keep things fresh, Hal tries to change up the routine every day. One day, the class might be building a trailer, and the next day, they might be building a cattle feeder or building fence on the Ag farm. However, one thing that Hal wishes his students could grasp is to stop relying so much on cell phones. “Students would rather look up on their phone how to do something rather than reason through the problems and solve it themselves. I try to encourage the students to figure it out on their own by asking questions and leading them in the right direction,” Hal says. “The satisfaction you see on their face when they figure it out is like a light bulb that comes on and they are more confident in themselves once working through the issue on their own.” One tradition that Hal keeps alive through the Hooks FFA show team is that members take photos throughout the year to capture memories that they can share. “We capture the friendship built, hard work, funny moments, successes, wins, traveling, and the parents’ involvement. Everyone captures random, funny moments, and some seriousness, and we compile a video and present it at our FFA Banquet to share with family and friends the memories of the outstanding group of students,” Hal says “The video is hilarious and rewarding for all to see. It is our way to let the students know they will always mean the world to us. It also helps
the families that are not able to see or travel to events. We like to keep things fun, and the video is a way to look back if needed, even just to encourage ourselves.” If Hal could take students on any field trip, he would take them to different parts of the United States. “I would go to the Midwest and show them how our food is grown by visiting several farms, and then, I would go to the West and visit several feedlots so they could see how our beef is grown. Next, I’d take them to some large cow/calf operations to see the beginning of the beef chain,” Hal says. “I feel a lot of students have never seen this and it would help them be advocates for farming and ranching.” Hal says that the best part of teaching is watching students mature and progress in knowledge, but the worst part of being a teacher is that after four years of bonding with them, they graduate and leave. “There are always students that are coming up to help fill the void, but each of these students always takes a piece of your heart,” Hal says. “I hope students will remember me as a teacher that truly cared about them and wanted to see them succeed. I think they will remember my class as one that they learned skills in and that was fun.”
Q & A with Hal 1. What is one of your hidden talents? “Realizing that I am mentally strong. I had the ability to care for family members that, unfortunately, were diagnosed with different diseases and became a caretaker overnight. The challenges that I was faced with helped me grow to appreciate the fact that time with the ones I loved is very important.” 2. What would the students be surprised to find out about you? “My fear of spiders. It absolutely scares me to death when I get a spider on me. After I get one, I think everything that touches me for a couple days is a spider.” 3. Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by? “If you are on time you are late. If you are late you are left.” I always instilled in my students to be on time and be ready to leave at posted time. I have left a few students that did not show up on time, but only once. 4. What can you cook to perfection? Are you willing to share the recipe? “I am famous for cooking brisket for our annual Hooks FFA AUCTION. I am willing to share an invite to come and support the students at the auction where my brisket is served, free of charge-donations accepted. The recipe might be up for auction.” 5. If you could grow up in any decade, which would you choose? “I would not change the decade I grew up in: the 70’s. We definitely had the best music; we had no cell phones and you better be where you were supposed to be. We grew up with total respect for our parents and our elders.”
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Ceretha says that she’s a life-long learner who is constantly learning and researching new trends in education in order to help her teachers and students. “To me, the best thing about being a teacher is the opportunity to make a difference in children’s lives,” Ceretha says.“The worst thing about being a teacher is having to spend a majority of your time teaching towards state tests.” Even though Ceretha says that technology provides students and teachers with “infinite resources at the touch of a button” and makes learning and teaching a lot easier, some of her best educational memories occurred in the great outdoors. “If I could, I would enroll in Mrs. Char Crane’s class again. She was my favorite teacher growing up,” Ceretha says. “I remember going to her house for a field trip in the 2nd grade. She had a pet peacock and we just loved being able to explore and gather peacock feathers. I gained my love for reading in her class!” This is one reason why Ceretha would choose an outdoor Disney excursion if she could take her students on any field trip in the world. “I would take them to Disney’s Epcot Center and Animal Kingdom, so they could learn about all of the different countries and take a safari tour to see the different animals,” Ceretha says. Ceretha’s first memory from school was a funny incident in her kindergarten class. “Ms. Callison had me convinced that the pet kitten in our classroom could talk and tell her when the class misbehaved,” Ceretha says. If Dr. Ceretha Brown-Levingston could pass on any wisdom to her students, it would be to always try their very best and never give up. She would tell them to always put forth your best effort, a quote she strives to adhere to everyday. Though she counts raising her two “wonderful” kids and earning her doctoral degree as her greatest accomplishments, she is also inspired daily by working to ensure LEISD students have the best educational opportunities possible. 024
Most students would be surprised to find out that Ceretha knows every word to Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman,” or that she was a sprinter and cheerleader in school. “I ran the 200-meter dash and the 4 x 100 meter relay in junior high,” Ceretha says, “and I cheered in high school.” However, now, Ceretha’s hidden talent comes out in the kitchen. “I am a really good cook,” Ceretha says. “I make a mean chicken and dressing. It’s my son’s favorite recipe.” A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
Though Ceretha says she hasn’t had a summer break in 17 years, she does dream about a month-long vacation in Hawaii. Until then, she enjoys weekends watching a movie or reading a book in her favorite chair. “I love the movie Steel Magnolias,” Ceretha says. “I can watch that over and over. I also love to read books by Alice Walker. The quote or saying that I try to live my life by is, ‘The whole world opened to me when I learned to read,’ by Mary McLeod Bethune.” If Ceretha ever won the lottery, she says she would travel and shop, but in the meantime, she can be found listening to music every morning to get excited about work and building relationships daily with the students in LEISD.
Q & A with Ceretha 1. What are some pets you’ve had or would like to own? “I’ve had Brittany, a poodle, and currently have Dazey, an 18 year-old yorkie.” 2. If you were to be given a superlative when you were in school, what would it have been? “I think they would say I was the sweetest person.” 3. How do you think students will remember you and your class? “I think they would remember that I was a strict (but fair) teacher, who set high expectations for my students.” 4. If you could grow up in any decade, which would you choose? “I would choose to grow up in the 80’s.” 5. What are your must-have smartphone apps? “The Wal-Mart grocery pick-up app is my best friend.”
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BRIAN MATTHEWS A S S I S TA NT P R O F E S S O R O F M A N A G E M E NT & M A N A G E M E NT P R O G R A M C O O R D I N AT O R AT T E X A S A & M U N I V E R S I T Y- T E X A R K A N A Brian tries to live his life by the quote, “Always do your best in service,” and if he won the lottery and was able to give up teaching, he would still pick a profession where he could help others. “If I won the lottery, I would actually be a waiter at a restaurant,” Brian says. “I love helping people so being a waiter would afford me one way to serve.” First thing in the morning to get ready for the day, Brian starts with a cup of coffee with hazelnut creamer. “I always tell my students that a cup of coffee for me is like Linus carrying his blanket everywhere,” Brian says. To keep things fresh in the classroom, every year Brian pushes himself to grow and adapt. “I try to continually reinvent myself. I’ll talk to people who traveled places and did things I have not experienced,” Brian says. “I am constantly thinking of the next goal to accomplish and surrounding myself with mentors who can give me proper guidance to reach that next level of accomplishment.” Not only does Brian look to his mentors for wisdom, he is motivated and inspired by their success. “Whether it be my colleagues, athletes, entrepreneurs, pastors, or educators, milestones reached by others escalate my desire to develop new ideas, meet new people, travel different places, and start new projects,” Brian says.
For Dr. Brian Matthews, there is not a downside to teaching. Instead, it is a way for him to serve others, challenge himself daily, and be a positive influence for his students. “The best thing about being a teacher is the opportunity to impact the lives of my students,” Brian says. “I have learned that being a professor is more than teaching theories and the means of application, it is offering advice that resurrects or, for some, introduces them to a part of themselves they did not know even existed.” 028
In fact, Brian says that if he could enroll in any other teachers’ class for a day, he would choose a person whose enthusiasm intrigues him. “I would enroll in one of Mr. Robert Jones’ math classes at Texarkana College,” Brian says. “I have attended various banquets and meetings with him, and his dynamism is unparalleled. I am curious to see how he uses that same energy to invigorate his students.” For Brian, his greatest accomplishments are the academic achievements he’s achieved so far. He says, “Obtaining my doctorate and becoming a professor and published author are accomplishments that give A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
me the utmost satisfaction.” From everything he has learned, Brian says his best advice for his students includes expanding their friend circle. “The wisdom I would pass on to my students would be to surround themselves with people that are smarter than they are. Your sphere of influence is counterintuitive if it does not influence and challenge you,” Brian says. “I would also recommend eliciting the help of mentors in critical areas of life. Assemble a core group of mentors that are easily accessible and consultatively candid in the advice given.” In the summers, Brian does not stop working. He teaches summer classes, writes articles for publication, and spends time with family. However, on Saturdays he enjoys binge watching Law and Order on Hulu and dreaming of his perfect vacation: an airplane flight to Miami, Florida, and then a cruise to either Sydney, Australia, or the Bahamas. Most of his students would be surprised to know that Brian can draw really well, dance, and he’s a huge fan of rap and alternative music. “I know all the lyrics to ‘This Is How We Do It’ by Montell Jordan and ‘Jump’ by Kris Kross,” Brian says. “In fact, if I could grow up in any decade, I would
choose the 90’s. I loved the cartoons and R&B music during that decade.” One way that Brian gets to know his students and their names is through a first day of school icebreaker. “On the first day of classes, I participate in an exercise where I ask students to introduce themselves. They are asked to provide their names, major, and reason for choosing that particular major. In the process, I associate their names with their narrative and any other associative effect that makes it easier for me to remember their names,” Brian says. “Then, I will recite all their names from the last to the first student who introduced themselves. This repetitive exercise helps me remember their names after the first day of class.” Throughout the year, Brian hopes his students remember his classes as challenging, yet stimulating and fascinating. “I hope they remember me as a professor that made learning cool and exciting and one that stretched their mental muscle to its maximum capacity to transform them into masters of their majors,” Brian says.
Q & A with Brian 1. What are some pets you would like to own? “I would like to own a teacup Yorkie.” 2. What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies? “If I’m trapped on a desert island, I know this is a cliched axiom, but I must have my Bible. In terms of movies, it is essential that I have Love Jones, Coming to America, and Boomerang.” 3. How does technology make teaching more simple or difficult? “Technology creates an opportunity to interact with students who may live in a different state or country. Technology offers an instantaneous, autonomous, and virtual connection to students in the absence of physical interaction. What makes technology difficult is the unfortunate circumstances in which students do not have Wi-Fi or internet connections to capitalize on the capabilities that technology offers.” 4. What current trends are baffling to you? “What intrigues and baffles me at the same time is college students who purposely host coronavirus parties in hopes those who are uninfected potentially catching the virus.” 5. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? “I would love to take my students to Paris, France. I have visited the city before and feel that my students will be enamored and fascinated with the cultural landscape as it is noticeably different from Western culture.” A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
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TINA MOORE S I X T H G R A D E M AT H AT C O L L E G E H I L L E L E M E NTA RY TEXARKANA ARKANSAS ISD new strategies. She especially loves to implement hands on learning, group work, and technology driven lessons. “I am inspired by seeing students ‘ahh ha” moments and having old students reach out to me,' Tina says. “There are both good and bad parts of teaching. The worst thing is someone is always going to criticize you for something, but the best thing about being a teacher is seeing students grow within that year, not just academically but overall.” When she is not teaching, Tina enjoys reading. Just recently, she started reading Megan Miranda books and can not put them down. She also likes anything written by Madeline Roux and cooking amazing Instant Pot chicken enchiladas. However, Tina’s hidden talent is crafting, something she has been doing a lot during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Usually, in the summer, we travel some and go visit my family in south Texas, but this summer has consisted of crafts, working on things for the upcoming school year, and working on things around the house,” Tina says. “We also love going on cruises but have not been on my dream vacation to the Bahamas yet.”
Tina Moore always says that God has a sense of humor making her a math teacher. “I tell my students, ‘Never say never.’ I was bad at math and hated it when I was in school. My major was not in math but agriculture education, which is what I got my first teaching certification in,” Tina says. “It never really clicked until I had to teach it in an ALE setting.” Tina counts being selected as the 2020 Teacher of the Year for College Hill Middle School as one of her greatest accomplishments. She keeps teaching fresh by trying different techniques and 030
Though she says that if she got out of teaching, she would do something in forensics, Tina loves her time in the classroom. To get excited for school, Tina finds some good music for the drive to work, and she gets there early to make sure everything is ready, so she does not feel rushed. Tina uses seating charts to help remember students’ names, but she also tries to memorize as many as she can in the first few days. She says it takes practice and there are always some errors along the way. School is not always easy. Tina says her first childhood memory from school was someone throwing up on her backpack in first grade. In more current years, she has had some embarrassing moments falling both up and down stairs at school. Even great technology can be difficult. “Technology enables us to do so much more, especially during COVID-19, but then, A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
there are times when you have everything planned on technology and the internet goes down. In those moments, you just have to be able to monitor and adjust,” Tina says. However, no matter what, Tina’s heart for her students and their education keeps her going. “At the end of the day, I hope my students remember me making math fun and relatable, and I hope they always know that I cared about them,” Tina says.
Q & A with Tina: 1. What song do you know all the lyrics to? “Most George Strait songs.” 2. If you could grow up in any decade, which would you choose? “I liked the decade I grew up in, the 80’s. Those were simpler times.” 3. What current trends are baffling to you? “Girls giving boys scrunchies to wear on their wrist to show they are dating; scrunchies were meant for hair when I was growing up.” 4. When is a picture worth a thousand words? “Family pictures show who we come from and who makes us. Landscape, or places you travel because sometimes it is hard to describe such beautiful or amazing things.” 5. Is there a quote or saying that you live your life by? “‘Two roads diverged in a wood, and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.’” 6. If you could take the students on a field trip to anywhere in the world, where would you take them? “Anywhere! Some students have not had the privilege of traveling out of the city or state.”
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LAKESHA TAYLOR P R I N C I PA L A T PA U L L A U R E N C E D U N B A R E A R LY E D U C A T I O N C E N T E R T E X A R K A N A I S D On the way to the school every day, LaKesha listens to K-Love. “That’s my time to connect with God, worship, and pray before I enter the school building, LaKesha says. “I am most inspired when I spend time with God through prayer. Other times, I am inspired just by having a casual conversation with someone.” When she is not at school, LaKesha loves to spend time with her family. “A typical Saturday night for me includes sitting on my couch with my family, watching TV, laughing, and talking with my family.” LaKesha says. “Oh, and I love to get some takeout food. I am NOT cooking. In fact, my cousin bought me a sign that says, ‘The only reason I have a kitchen is because it came with the house.’” She also loves traveling with her whole family. “I travel with a big group,” LaKesha says. “During the summer, I normally go on one, week-long vacation with family and then a couple of weekend vacations. Other than that, I work all summer.”
LaKesha started as a teacher before she was a principal. “The best part of my job is when I see my former students, and they are successful in life,” LaKesha says. “My prayer is that my students left my class and now my campus knowing that I truly cared about them, and I pushed them to be a better person! No excuses!”
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Growing up, LaKesha says that she probably would have been named “Most Serious,” because she was the “mother” of her friend group. However, she also had some fun with her friends. When she was in the first or second grade, she remembers how she and her friends were “dared” to go in the bathroom and say “Blood Mary” in the mirror 6 or 7 times. “We accepted the dare, and an older kid jumped out of the stall and scared us to death,” LaKesha says. “We ended up getting in trouble for running out of the bathroom screaming.”
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If LaKesha won the lottery, her dream has always been to build or develop a music and arts recreation center or school. But for now, she puts all her effort into taking care of all the students at her school. “It takes a little more time now to memorize all my students’ names because I am a campus principal now with 300 students, but I try to get to know them on an individual basis,” LaKesha says. “I work on building relationships with them. They are all my ‘sweet babies.’”
and there are several things I want my students to live by as well. I want to tell them to ‘Be yourself. Be an individual. Stop trying to live or be like anyone else. Set your own goals and work towards them.”
LaKesha tries to live by two quotes. The first one is, “It is what it is. Let’s make it work.” The second one was instilled in her by one of her close friends. “She told me, ‘Let my words be few and seasoned with grace,” which is the shortened version of Colossians 4:6. The full verse says, ‘Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone,” LaKesha says. “These wise words help me,
Q & A with LaKesha 1. What are some pets you’ve had or would like to own? “My father loved dogs, so I always had dogs growing up. However, somewhere along the way, I developed a fear of dogs. So, if I have to choose a pet for me to take care of, it would be a fish. My oldest daughter loves all types of animals. She currently has a bearded dragon named Lippy.” 2. Are there any embarrassing teaching moments you’re willing to share? “My first year of teaching, I was much smaller than I am now, but one of the students asked, ‘Ms. Haynes are you pregnant?’ I was shocked! I quickly responded with, ‘Yes, with burgers and French fries.’ After that, they knew then they couldn’t shake me.” 3. What are your “trapped on a deserted island” books or movies? “I want to be trapped with any of the Hallmark movies and Grease.” 4. How does technology make teaching more simple or difficult? “It depends on how you use it. Initially, technology was used as a way to enhance the curriculum. However, due to COVID-19, technology will be the way we teach our students remotely.” 5. What song/songs do you know all the lyrics to? “My family would say that I don’t know all the lyrics to any song and that I just ramble through the parts I don’t know. Don’t tell them, but they are right!
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TANIA TURNER J R . H I G H S P E C I A L E D U C AT I O N T E A C H E R / C A S E M A N A G E R , H I G H S C H O O L V O L L E Y B A L L , B A S K E T B A L L , A N D T R A C K C OA C H R E D WAT E R I S D With some possible remote learning happening in the fall, teachers are grateful for technology to help reach students who choose to stay at home. However, sometimes, technology can be a double-edged sword. “With this generation of students being so reliant on technology, we, as teachers, would be crazy to not take this and use it to our advantage. There are many great tools and websites out there for us to use and keep our student’s attention,” Tania says. “With that being said, when it is not working correctly, it is a pain!” There are two big accomplishments in her life that fill Tania with pride. The first is Tania’s children. The second is earning her Master’s degree while teaching full time, having a husband who is a coach, and three children who are very active. However, both Tania and her husband are hard workers. She says that she is inspired daily by his work ethic and knowledge. “My husband has shown me over the last 20 years what it means to love and grow our children as well as all the young men he comes in contact with every day. Many of those young men, who later become husbands, daddies, business owners, college grads, etc., always come back to hug his neck and thank him for loving them,” Tania says. “That is what inspires me every day!”
Since the Redwater community is small, Tania has had the luxury of watching many of her students grow up. So, by the time they get to the junior high, she knows who they are. “The best thing about being a teacher is seeing my students get excited about learning and getting to be a part of their lives to help shape and mold them into young adults,” Tania says. “The worst part of teaching would have to be the current COVID-19 situation we are facing. I absolutely love seeing my students face to face.” 036
During the summers off, Tania is at the school for summer workouts and sport-specific gym time. Her family also spends one week at the beach, but if Tania won the lottery, she would travel the world, go on her dream vacation to a beautiful island or Scotland, do charity work, and splurge on the family. “Also, if I could take my students anywhere, I would take them to see some of God’s greatest creations: the beaches and mountains,” Tania says. “Many of our students have not been out of Texarkana.” Growing up, Tania played volleyball, basketball, track, softball, and cheered in high school. In college, I ran indoor and outdoor track. Once she became a teacher and coach, she also found other A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
talents. She says her hidden talent is taking old furniture and making it look new and fresh. She also says that her students would be surprised to find out that she would love to be on the TV show Dancing with the Stars. Most weekends, Tania is coaching at a volleyball or basketball tournament. “If we are at home, most Saturday nights usually consist of my family and I sitting down for dinner together and unwinding with a movie and conversation because this doesn’t happen often during the week,” Tania says. “However, I won’t be the one cooking. I’m not even going to lie; my husband does all the cooking in our house. He is an amazing chef and can cook anything and everything. I am very spoiled when it comes to our meals.” To get ready for the workday, Tania likes to get to her classroom, turn on music, check her emails, and then go over her lesson plans for the day. “Then, I love standing outside my door to meet my students each morning!” Tania says. “In the classroom, I love to do hands-on learning as much as possible. Mixing up how I teach and how my students get to complete assignments makes learning so much more fun.”
If she could pass on any wisdom to her students, Tania would tell them that it is ok to make mistakes but learn from them and don’t repeat them. “I love the quote from Erin Hanson, ‘And you ask, ‘What if I fall?’ Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?’” Tania says. As for her own life, Tania strives to follow by the way her mom raised her and pass that on to her children and students. “My momma has always told me to treat others as I wanted to be treated. Receiving respect from others is important because it helps us to feel safe and to express ourselves,” Tania says. “Respect means that you accept somebody for who they are, even when they’re different from you or you don’t agree with them. Respect in your relationships builds feelings of trust, safety, and wellbeing. I love the quote from Dr. Seuss that says, ‘Be who YOU are and say what YOU feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.’” At the end of every year, Tania prays that her students remember her and her class as a safe and fun place to learn. “I hope my students know that I truly do care about them and they will always hold a special place in my heart,” Tania says. “Teaching students with special needs requires patience, compassion, and love. I pray my room is always filled with these!"
Q & A with Tania 1. What are your “trapped on a desert island” books or movies? “For movies, I love Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, and Steel Magnolias. As for books, I would need my Bible, The Alchemist, and at least one romance novel.” 2. In which other teacher’s class would you like to enroll, even for a day? “I would love to enroll in our art teacher, Stacie Norton’s, class. I am not artistic at all but so wish I was.” 3. What are some pets you’ve had or would like to own? “Growing up I had a Dalmatian, Dally. Now we have two rescue babies from Passion for Pooches: Tiffany and Lexie.” 4. What current trends are baffling to you? “I have never understood Snap Chat and how the kids respond on it. Why would someone take a picture of their toe to respond to a text message? I’ve seen it happen!” 5. What song do you know all the lyrics to? “‘Fancy’ by Reba McIntire.” 6. If you could grow up in any decade, which would you choose? “I think the 50’s would have been fun if I could have lived the life of getting dressed up for parties, and dancing!”
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TOP LAWYERS 2020
Ever been in need of a lawyer and not sure where to start looking? We want to help! Texarkana’s 2020 Top Lawyers will be nominated by you, our readers! Prior to voting, we will confirm that each lawyer is in good standing with the local bar association. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive, and diverse listing of outstanding lawyers that can be used as a resource for those searching for legal counsel. Now is your chance to tell us who you think should be Texarkana’s Top Lawyer by category, Top Young Lawyer, and Top Lawyer overall!
Banking and Finance Law Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) Commercial Litigation Corporate Law Criminal Defense: Non White-Collar Criminal Defense: White-Collar DUI/DWI Defense Elder Law Employment Law Family Law Health Care Law Insurance Law Labor Law Mediation Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs
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Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs Real Estate Law Tax Law Trusts and Estates Workers’ Compensation Law – Claimants Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers Texarkana’s Top Lawyer Texarkana’s Top Young Lawyers (Must be under 40 years of age for Top Young Lawyer)
HIGHER EDUCATION B Y: M I C H E L L E H O R T O N
Earning a college degree or certificate has always been a turning point in a person’s life. In today’s competitive workforce, it is more important than ever that you invest in yourself and ensure you are prepared for your chosen career path. What a blessing it is to have three facilities dedicated to higher education, located here, in our very own town of Texarkana, USA. Receiving a higher education degree is now readily available no matter which side of the state line you live on. Take time to explore our three facilities for achieving higher education: Texarkana College, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, and University of Arkansas Community College at Texarkana.
Texarkana College HISTORY Texarkana College was established in 1927 as a public junior college. After World War II, a $40,000 bond issue election passed in 1948 to buy land and finance construction of a new campus. Twenty acres were purchased, and construction of administration buildings and gymnasium began in 1950. In 1953, the College relocated to its present site on Robison Road with an enrollment of 589 students. In 1971, Texarkana College joined forces with East Texas State University, now Texas A&M University-Texarkana, in a unique cooperative venture that allowed Northeast Texas residents greater access to higher education. Expansion and growth continue today with the addition of new programs and partnerships with surrounding school districts and high-quality continuing education available to all members of the community. ACADEMICS Texarkana College is dedicated to providing academic and vocational leadership to the intellectual, cultural, social, and economic life of the northeast Texas region. Offering affordable and accessible education in a variety of academic, workforce, 040
and online programs, Texarkana College is truly a great place to start, or start over! They offer a wide variety of associate degrees that easily transfer, performing arts opportunities, and more. Texarkana College’s health sciences division has the largest and most established nurse training program in our region. Their workforce certification programs lead to careers with competitive wages in high-demand fields such as cosmetology, culinary arts, welding, and everything in between. You can find many opportunities at Texarkana College and achieve your goals in two years or less. Average Cost of Attendance: $2,770/year for in-district academic program $5,298/year for in-district workforce program $4,390/year for out-district academic program $7,728/year for out-district workforce program To apply: Go to applytexas.org and submit your application. Then, submit transcripts, immunization records, apply for FASFA, meet with an advisor, and submit TSI/ACT/SAT test scores!
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University of Arkansas Community College at Texarkana
HISTORY The university began in Hope, Arkansas, and is located on a 72-acre site originally obtained by the citizens of the area for Red River Vocational-Technical School, which was established in 1965. Red River operated as a vocational-technical school until June 30, 1991. On July 1, 1991, Red River VocationalTechnical School officially became Red River Technical College and operated under the guidelines of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. In 1995, the Arkansas Legislature passed an act that provided for the merger of state two-year colleges and universities. On July 1, 1996, Red River Technical College became a division of the University of Arkansas system and was renamed the University of Arkansas Community College at Hope. In 2012, the College expanded its operation to include an instructional facility in Texarkana, Arkansas. The U of A Texarkana instructional site encompasses 22 acres and is located next door to Four States Fairgrounds. ACADEMICS Serving Southwest Arkansas, the University of Arkansas Community College at Texarkana (UACCH-T) offers the first A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0
two years of a traditional college education transferable to a four-year university, as well as an array of certificate programs to prepare students for an ever-changing workforce. UACCH-T is an accredited, open-access institution that connects students and community partners to quality education and supports a culture of academic, occupational, personal growth, and enrichment programs throughout Southwest Arkansas. UACCH-T offers programs of studies in Arts, Humanities, and Education, Business, Trade, and Industry, Math and Social Science, as well as Science and Health Professions. Average Cost of Attendance: $3,255/year for resident tuition $3,255/year for border city tuition $4,305/year for non-resident tuition To apply: Visit www.uaht.edu, click Admissions, and then click Application for Admission.
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“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another” – G.K. Chesterton
Texas A&M University - Texarkana HISTORY Texas A&M University-Texarkana first opened in 1971 as East Texas State University Center at Texarkana, an upper-level branch of the main East Texas State University (ETSU) in Commerce, Texas. It originally shared a campus with local community college Texarkana College and was established to provide thirdand fourth-year college instruction. The university received separate accreditation in 1980, and when ETSU joined the Texas A&M System as Texas A&M University–Commerce in September 1996, the Texarkana branch became a separate institution from the Commerce campus and
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was renamed to Texas A&M University–Texarkana. The university became a four-year college with graduate programs in 2010, moving to its new and current campus near Bringle Lake Park. In the late 2010s, the university received large funding grants from the state legislature, including $32 million worth of building construction in 2016, and a 2019 $3.6 million funding addition for new academic programs. Aside from the beautiful buildings housed on TAMUT’S property, Bringle Lake Village is a 294-bed furnished residence hall that features many amenities, including an in-ground swimming pool, sand-volleyball court, and fitness
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center. Students have three floor plans from which to biology, criminal justice, English, history, instructional choose. technology, mass communications, nursing, political science, counseling, psychology, and sociology? Apply for their College of Arts, Sciences, and Education! ACADEMICS Texas A&M University-Texarkana is organized into two academic colleges which both offer undergraduate Average Cost of Attendance: and graduate programs: College of Arts, Sciences and $7,868/year for resident tuition Education and the College of Business, Engineering $8,138/year for border state tuition and Technology. Combined, the colleges provide $22,544/year for non-resident tuition 18 undergraduate majors, over 20 master’s degree programs, and several Extended Education and To apply: Community Development programs. This campus Visit www.tamut.edu, click Admissions, and then click also hosts four athletic teams for both men and women: Apply. soccer, basketball, tennis and baseball/softball. Inside the university’s College of Business, Engineering, and Technology division, you will find degrees in the areas of accounting, business administration, electrical engineering, computer science and mathematics. Interested in education, applied arts and sciences,
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STRINGER WEALTH MANAGEMENT RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL STRINGERWEALTHMANAGEMENT.NET
Gift planning in a volatile market
During times of market volatility, it can be important to review your charitable options and opportunities The coronavirus has financially impacted individuals and businesses. The volatile markets may leave you cautious about making gifts. Temporary provisions in the CARES Act can promote charitable giving, as well as provide you with other gifting opportunities. ANNUAL EXCLUSION AND LIFETIME GIFTS
Making larger gifts with low value securities allows a taxpayer to remove assets from the taxable estate while retaining more of the estate tax, gift tax, and generation skipping transfer tax exemptions (currently $11,580,000). Clients who have concerns that the exemption will be lowered with the upcoming elections and possible changes in legislation should consider consuming a larger portion of the exemptions sooner rather than later. The IRS will not recapture these gifts if the exemption is lowered. CHARITABLE GIVING For donations made in 2020, the Cares Act provides incentives for making charitable gifts and offers financial relief for nonprofits and increased charitable giving incentives for individuals and corporations. For taxpayers who itemize, the charitable cash contribution is increased from 60% of AGI limit up to 100% of AGI. The taxpayer must make an election. The existing five-year carryover rule remains in place, and the election would allow an increased amount to be deducted in 2020 and less carried forward.
These incentives are only available for cash contributions and are not available for contributions to supporting organizations and donor advised funds. Charitable remainder trusts (CRT) Funding a charitable remainder trust with highly appreciated stock can solve capital gain tax problems and allow tax-efficient investment diversification. The CRT can sell appreciated assets and the donor avoids capital gain tax. To the extent capital gain income is paid to the donor, it is spread out over time. Retirement Planning The act suspends required minimum distributions from most qualified retirement plans, including IRAs. The increased AGI limitations for cash contributions provides an opportunity for individuals between 59½ and 70½ to have benefits similar to a qualified charitable contribution. They can take a cash distribution from their IRA, and donate the cash to charity to offset a larger portion of their income taxes. High net worth clients with appreciated assets should consider combining giving strategies to maximize gift tax benefits.
For corporations, the percentage limitation on the corporate income tax charitable deduction increased from 10% to 25% of the corporation’s taxable income for 2020. In the case of charitable contributions by partnerships or S corporations, each partner or shareholder must separately elect to use the modified percentage limitations.
• Make larger donations in cash to charity. • Donor advised funds gifts are valuable by donating long-term appreciated assets to minimize capital gains and maximize the 30% AGI limits for appreciated securities. • Plan for future giving and take advantage of the increased AGI percentage limit by additional cash gifts to a donor advised fund. • Using a combination of the strategies would allow the client to take full advantage of the increased AGI percentage for gifts and receive tax savings on longterm appreciated assets.
For taxpayers who take the standard deduction, the act allows an above-the-line deduction for cash contributions up to $300. In order for the contribution
The CARES Act has created a number of opportunities for charitable planning. Financial advisors can help the client with strategic planning to meet their goals.
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financial focus
This is a good time to make annual exclusion gifts (up to $15,000 per person). Using marketable securities when volatility is high and valuations are down can provide for extra tax advantages on these gifts.
to be deductible, it must be given to a charitable organization described in Internal Revenue Code section 170(b)(1)(A).
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Fish Tales with Mike Brower Not Looking Good
Well, at this writing, I’m going to spend a few days at Lake Hamilton. Debbie and I are going to just hang out in Hot Springs, and I will, of course fish, some while we are there. Let me first say that there is a reason why no one has a tournament on Lake Hamilton during the summer, and that reason is BOAT TRAFFIC. Big boats, little boats, cruisers, party barges, and jet skis are all there, and they are there from darn near daylight to after dark. I’m looking forward to getting to fish, but I know it won’t be long and I will likely get “boat rage.” I’m hoping to get to fish from daylight till about 9:00, but there are no guarantees. I’m also hoping to not want to punch someone out because they have no boating manners. But most of all I’m hoping to catch a few fish before the circus starts every day, and Bubba and his buddies on the party barge set sail drinking coffee driving up the lake pushing a three foot wake, while driving between me and the boat dock I’m fishing, yelling “CATCHING ANYTHING?” as they plow by. Pray for me.
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The The new new generation generation of of emergency emergency care. care.
Drug Take Back Initiative Initiative Operation Operation Medicine Medicine Cabinet Cabinet
The Texarkana Texarkana Arkansas The Arkansas Police Police Department Department is is proud proud to to partner partnerwith with Texarkana Emergency Center in an effort to remove unused and Texarkana Emergency Center in an effort to remove unused andout out of date prescription medicines from your homes. of date prescription medicines from your homes. •It is important to know that law enforcement is only interested in the removal of unused •It is important to know that law enforcement is only interested in the removal of unused and/or outdated medications from the homes of our citizens. and/or outdated medications from the homes of our citizens. •It matters not whose name is on the prescription, by whom it was prescribed, where it •It matters not whose name is on the prescription, by whom it was prescribed, where it was prescribed, or where you reside. was prescribed, or where you reside. •We stress that it makes no difference if you live in Texas or Arkansas. •We stress that it makes no difference if you live in Texas or Arkansas. •We take back all medications, no questions asked. You can remove the label if you •We take back all medications, no questions asked. You can remove the label if you desire but it’s not necessary. desire but it’s not necessary. •We ask that you do not deposit needles (sharps), inhalers, medication from businesses •We ask that you do not deposit needles (sharps), inhalers, medication from businesses or clinics, ointments, lotions, liquids, aerosol cans, hydrogen peroxide, or thermometers. or clinics, ointments, lotions, liquids, aerosol cans, hydrogen peroxide, or thermometers.
One box has been placed behind the Bi State Justice Building at 100 N. State Line Ave., One box has been placed behind the Bi State Justice Building at 100 N. State Line Ave., Texarkana, Arkansas and another outside the Texarkana Emergency Center, 4646 Cowhorn Texarkana, Arkansas and another theregularly Texarkana Emergency Center, 4646are Cowhorn Creek Rd., Texarkana, Texas. Theseoutside boxes are checked and the contents Creek Rd., Texarkana, These boxes are would regularly and the contents are immediately packaged Texas. for destruction. If you likechecked to personally drop your medications immediately packaged for If youCounty would like to personally off to law enforcement, youdestruction. can at the Miller Sheriff ’s Office drop your medications off lawStreet enforcement, youJustice can atBuilding the Miller Sheriff ’s Office on to East and Bi State in County Texarkana. on East Street and Bi State Justice Building in Texarkana.
You can learn more about this program You can learn more about this program by visiting www.artakeback.org or or byFacebook visiting www.artakeback.org on by searching Arkansas Take on Facebook by searching Back or Arkansas Drug Arkansas take Back.Take Back or Arkansas Drug take Back. FIND
TexarkanaEmergencyCenter.com FIND ON TexarkanaEmergencyCenter.com US US ON 4646 Cowhorn Creek | Texarkana, TX 75503 | 903.838.8000 A LT M a g a z i n e | A u g u s t 2 0 2 0 4646 Cowhorn Creek | Texarkana, TX 75503 | 903.838.80000 4 7
august
happenings
08.01.2020
Texas Glory Inagural Fundraiser Golf Tournament
Texas Glory 18U TXK Fastpitch Softball Team is hosting their Inagural Fundraiser Golf Tournament at Oak Grove Golf Club on Saturday, August 1st. Check-in starts at 8am and scramble starts at 9am. Registration is $110/person and $440/team (includes green fees, cart, and lunch). All proceeds will benefit the softball team. For more information or to register, contact Michael Lynch at 903-276-3662 or Oak Grove Golf Club at 903-223-4567.
08.01.2020
2020 Fouke Monster Festival
Join us August 1st at the Fouke Middle School Auditorium for the 2020 Fouke Monster Festival. There will be Big Foot Presentations, Tours, Movie Actors, Track Casting, and more! Tickets start at $35 and can be purchased on www.eventbrite.com.
08.02.2020
AFGE Retirement Workshop
Attend a Live Federal Retirement Workshop Sponsored by AFGE. Learn how to prepare for the road to retirement. This event is only for Federal Employees. No matter how many years you have to go before retirement, this workshop will give you the information you need. Information to be covered in the workshop: FEGLI costs now and in retirement, Military Time Recapture / Buyback, Special Retirement Supplement, FERS / CSRS annuity eligibility and computation, TSP now and in retirement, Social Security timing, and more. Brought to you by the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO. Hilton Garden Inn - Texarkana, 5-7pm!
08.06.2020
Temple Memorial Pediatric Center Drawdown & Casino Night
Temple Memorial Pediatric Center is bringing our Annual Drawdown & Casino Night to the newest event venue in Texarkana, Crossties!. Join us Thursday, August 6th, at 6pm, starting with a delicious dinner prepared by Pops Place, beverages, and casino tables! Tickets are $100 (admits 2 people) with a chance to win $5,000. Tickets are limited; we only sell 150! So get yours ASAP!! Tickets are available by calling Temple @ 903-794-2705.
08.08.2020
Prepared Childbirth Classes
Expecting? Register today for our Prepared Childbirth Class. In this one-day class, you will learn about the signs of labor, basic techniques for dealing with pain, vaginal birth and c-section, and wellness tips for caring for yourself following the birth of your baby. Registration is required. For more information call Tina East at 903-614-2630.
08.12.2020
New Boston Pioneer Days Festival
50th Annual New Boston Pioneer Days Festival is August 12-15, 2020, in downtown New Boston, Texas, at the T&P Trail Head Park Pavilion and Festival Grounds. Lots of food, concerts, and a Johnson Brothers Carnival!
08.27.2020
Stroke Support Group Meeting
Join us for our monthly stroke support group. Meeting will be held at Wadley Regional Medical Center, First Floor Education Center. Join Sher Fomby, FNP and Leigh Ann Scates, RN, as they present, “Staying Alive, CPR�. Lunch is provided with reservation. To reserve a seat, call 877-7WADLEY today.
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ANIMAL CARE & ADOPTION CENTER
Adopt, Don’t Shop!
Local Rescues
ARKLATEX COCKER SPANIEL RESCUE Facebook.com/ ArklatexCockerSpanielRescue ARTEX ANIMAL WELFARE, INC. (mostly horses) 903.824.1990 ATLANTA ANIMAL LEAGUE Facebook.com/ AtlantaAnimalLeague BOXER RESCUE OF TEXARKANA Facebook.com/ BoxerRescueOfTexarkana MUTTLEY CREW GERMAN SHEPHERD RESCUE Facebook.com/ MuttleyCrewRescue POODLE PATCH RESCUE INC PoodlePatchRescue.com PASSION FOR POOCHES (mostly small dogs) Facebook.com/passionforpooches TEXARKANA ANIMAL LEAGUE Facebook.com/ TexarkanaAnimalLeague TEXARKANA HUMANE SOCIETY TexarkanaHumaneSociety.org Facebook.com/ TexarkanaHumaneSocietyInc TEXARKANA REPTILE & AMPHIBIAN RESCUE Facebook.com/TkReptileRescue TOBY’S TALES (mostly wildlife) Facebook.com/Tobysname
The Animal Care & Adoption Center of Texarkana, Arkansas is located at 203 Harrison, Texarkana, AR, 71854. For more information, call 870.773.6388, or visit: www. animalcareadoptioncenter.org or www.facebook.com/AnimalCare AdoptionTXK. Please note, all dogs adopted from this shelter MUST be spayed or neutered. Spays cost $89-$104, neuters are $76-$92 depending on the weight of the dog. We also have SPONSORED dogs and cats! This means someone has already paid for their vetting! Come see who’s waiting! We are always in need of caring, capable volunteers to assist in with duties at the center, adoption events, fund-raising activities and more. Open Monday-Friday 11AM 5PM; Saturday 11AM - 2PM.
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1356 N. Kings Hwy. Nash, TX 75569 903.223.0710 www.ImpactRealtyOnline.com billsprad@aol.com spradlintd@aol.com
Cool down this summer in a new home! Bill Spradlin Realtor 903-748-3186
Pam Hollingsworth Realtor A LT M a g a z i n 903-277-1222 e | August 2020
Tara Whelchel Realtor 903-293-1429
Tracy Spradlin Broker 903-748-2477
Jan Williams Realtor 903-277-5771
Amber McCormack Office Manager 903-223-0710
Crystal Nicholson Property Manager 903-223-0712
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