• The Association of American Educators Foundation and the Arkansas State Teachers Association have awarded a covid-19 relief grant to Julie Olson, an educator at Woodrow Cummings Elementary School in Conway. This special $500 grant will be used to buy robotics kits, including coding software, for her kindergarten-through-second-grade students. "I've actually already had great success in using these robots with my own classes, I just don't have enough of them to spread my students out and keep them socially distanced this fall," Olson explained in her submission. "The joy of programming a robot literally makes unpacking complicated ideas like 'algorithm' and 'binary' well -- child's play!" "Olson's efforts to combine effective technology tools when teaching traditional concepts keeps her students eager to build their knowledge," said Arkansas State Teachers Association Executive Director Michele Linch. "We support and congratulate this focus on prioritizing meeting students' needs and educational goals." In this unprecedented time of need, Association of American Educators Foundation officials said, it acknowledges the nation's educators and their vision for better serving their students and their educational community. This cycle of COVID-19 Relief Scholarship and Grant funding is open to all educators, and they are invited to submit their concepts, projects and activities that will expand learning opportunities for their students. "Olson's proactive curriculum adaptation proposal addressed health and safety needs through social distancing while still allowing students to benefit from hands-on, experiential learning," said Association of American Educators Senior Professional Programs Manager Melissa Pratt. "Through our special cycle of grants and scholarships, we are able to respond swiftly with needed funding."
• The Park Na Conservatory of Violin & Cello recently announced two special awards during its first virtual summer recital held on the afternoon of July 31. After an intensive summer of instruction for several local, young musicians, violinist Mariana Keiser, performing I. Allegro from Violin Concerto No. 3 in G by W.A. Mozart, was named the outstanding young violinist for the summer.Mariana is 14 years old and the daughter of Kari Keiser and Dr. Jeffrey Keiser of Rogers. She is attending Lincoln Middle School this fall. Representing the conservatory's Cello School, Nina Kinzer, daughter of David and Sonja Kinzer of Bentonville, was named outstanding young cellist for the summer. Nina performed Theme & Variations from 'La Folia by Marais. Nina is 12 years old and is attending Haas Hall this fall. The two were presented trophies and certificates of completion. In all, 12 area youths studied with Eun Seo Park, head of the Conservatory's Violin School, and professor Dominic K. Na, head of the Conservatory's Cello School.
Arkansas Achievers is an opportunity to give recognition to Arkansans for their achievements.
Civilian and military achievements are accepted.
Please follow these guidelines:
Achiever(s):
1) Must be an Arkansan or have graduated from a school in Arkansas.
2) Received an award, scholarship, medal or promotion.
Pageants, deans' lists, graduations or military enlistments are not accepted.
No photographs please.
To submit an Achiever email us at news@arkansasonline.com with the words "Arkansas Achievers" in the subject line.