SUPERINTENDENT GROWTH PERSPECTIVE Hester expressed that EAST is the cutting edge of innovation that the Batesville School District is looking for in their teaching pedagogy. “EAST is student-centered, and that puts STUDENTS FIRST! You always win as a school district when you are student-centered with teaching and learning.”
Batesville, Arkansas, is the oldest township in the state. A place that is known as “The Christmas City” of Arkansas and recognized for its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and historical site seeing and is now becoming a place known for an excellent education. Meet Michael Hester. Current Superintendent of the Batesville School District, an avid supporter of EAST, and most importantly, a believer that equity in society starts with investment in education. Batesville, one of 10 school districts in the state of Arkansas that has EAST at every level (elementary, intermediate, junior high, and high school), has been a part of the EAST network since 2009. When asked about the growth of the district and the role EAST played in its expansion, Superintendent Hester was more than happy to share his mission and passion for EAST and the students of Batesville. As he serves his third year in the role of superintendent, Hester shared that he and the district allow the motto ‘students first’ to guide them as they strategize for success. The district outlines its goals for student achievement, attracting and retaining staff, efficiency and innovation, and better networking with partners. With Arkansas being a state that implements school choice’, school districts look for ways to remain competitive by using programs like EAST to attract and retain students and staff.
Research shows that when teachers are student-centered, students form deeper connections inside and outside the classroom. Once students feel connected, educators can help them maximize their potential and facilitate customized individual learning to the students’ interests. “Putting students first is what is happening at Batesville. EAST is a natural driver of that agenda, which has grown our district an additional 245 students in the last three years,” according to Hester. Growth has been an essential part of the district’s success. Even with the additional students, Hester and the district leadership continue striving to create an environment where students feel safe and empowered to take a responsible risk with learning. That is why they believe programs like EAST are imperative to continued improvement. “Cultivating the climate of responsible risk-taking is a science and art much like teaching. Our mission in Batesville School District is to ‘Empower Today’s Students For Tomorrow’s Challenges.'' If students and teachers don’t see responsible risktaking modeled in their schools and community or are not empowered by their leaders, then we’ve missed the most significant opportunity we have in education, to influence the future.” When Hester moved to Arkansas nearly four years ago, he had heard of EAST but had never experienced the program up close. He shared that his past experiences with other innovative programs made him excited about EAST. He describes himself as an instant fan of EAST because it is student-driven, and he was elated to learn that the district has been a member of
DID YOU KNOW? Arkansas is one of 21, soon to be 22, states with ‘school choice’? School Choice giving parents the power and opportunity to choose the schools their children attend based on their needs, interests, and learning style rather than their address. www.edchoice.org
