Excited, exhausted, anxious, stressed, overwhelmed, and nervous… these are a few of the many feelings teachers feel the night before school starts. Some of these emotions may come across as negative, but I want to create a safe, perfect, and inviting classroom (home away from home) for my students. I spend countless hours preparing and planning for the big day! This will be our "happy place" together for the next nine months. I am beginning the 26th year of my teaching career. I have taught kindergarten through fourth grade, including all subjects.
I write this article from my hotel room overlooking midtown Manhattan with Grand Central Station and the Chrysler Building an arm's length away. The juxtaposition to Carrie Bradshaw fuels my creativity and spurs nostalgia deep in my soul. What a 2004 pipe dream. "You can't leave New York! You're the Chrysler Building!" —Carrie Bradshaw … Some months, I crank a book review piece out effortlessly and early. Other times, I wait for inspiration to arrive, and it did in the form of a spontaneous trip to New York City. Do you know when the stars align and everything falls into place perfectly?
Total Medical is located locally in Texarkana and services the medical supply needs of thousands of patients nationwide. This year, Total Medical awarded two $10,000 Hero Scholarships to high school seniors for their college careers. Arkansas High graduates Keonnie Strickland and Rashad Thrower were the first recipients of the Hero Scholarship. Recipients of the Hero Scholarships are also awarded internships at Total Medical. Interns are given the opportunity to work in a progressive and friendly environment and are trained in various aspects of the business.
Beaming stadium lights, the consistent beating of drums, and the smell of fall fills the air. Students dawn painted faces and spirit gear, still feeling the enthusiasm from the pep rally earlier in the day. Parents hold signs of support, and cheerleaders line the field to welcome the football team to the electrifying atmosphere. Half-time brings new entertainment as the band and drill team take the field to wow the crowd. Hours of practice from the week come down to just minutes. The scoreboard beams as our Texarkana athletes take the field to fight for a win.
Five Bowie County and area school districts will implement a four-day week for the 2022-2023 school year. Fridays will be considered student holidays, and some Fridays will be used by staff for professional development and planning time. The districts implementing the four-day week view the new schedule as a potential solution to many issues public education is facing. The districts used the input of the community, parents, and staff before approving the four-day week.
Jonathan Jones spent his early years in Texarkana but has gone on to give life and personality to some of the most well-loved characters in sports. Currently, he is the community relations director for Indy Eleven Soccer and lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has been the mascot for teams across the nation and has performed internationally. Jonathan is also a photographer.
Arkansas High School, Liberty-Eylau High School, Pleasant Grove High School, Texas High School, Ashdown High School, Hooks High School, Queen City High School
Acommunity, by its very definition, is a group of people living in the same place with common goals, interests, and attitudes. Growing up in Liberty-Eylau, Kendrick and Kayla King found a strong, supportive community of people who gave them the opportunities to succeed. The solid community Kendrick and Kayla experienced growing up inspired them to pour their hearts out to the current generation of children growing up in Liberty-Eylau. “We love that Liberty-Eylau is not just a school district,” the Kings shared. “We are a family and a community.
Friday night lights. Fans scream. The band plays. The student section goes wild. Texas High just scored another touchdown, and it was all captured through the lens of a Tiger photographer and the words of a Tiger writer. … The Texas High publications program begins its work on Friday nights long before kickoff. During the summer, preparation and planning commence for fall sports coverage. … “Each summer, the staff plans out coverage for all fall sports,” adviser Clint Smith said.
My queen, Oprah Winfrey, taught me how important getting an education is. My mom passed a plethora of Oprah quotes to me while growing up, one of the most important being, “Education is power.” These words of wisdom were only a tiny part of a more extensive lecture in my early high school years.
