Zone 8 Candidate

Maribel T. Childress
Monitor Elementary School
Springdale, AR

I love being an elementary school principal! I want the opportunity to serve an organization that means so much to me, promote its values and benefits, and advocate for a career that I am passionate about. I want to help create and sustain an association that is relevant to our work today and beyond.  I want to be a strong voice and visible presence, someone that makes a difference for all of those in our profession and those who will follow in our footsteps. During my career, I have worked with student populations that are affluent, high poverty, high minority, language minority, rural, and urban, and that span pre-K through sixth grade. My wide variety of experiences give me a broad perspective in which to serve you and our Zone.  I can think of no greater honor than to serve you as the Zone 8 Director.

Education: Ed.S., Educational Leadership, University of Arkansas, ’00 — M.A., Elementary Counseling, Louisiana Tech University, ’93 — B.A., Elementary Education, Louisiana Tech University, ’90

Professional Experience: Principal, Monitor Elementary School, ’07–present — Principal, Parson Hills Elementary School, Springdale, ’99–’07 —Thurman G. Smith Elementary School, Springdale, AR (Assistant Principal, ’97–’99; Teacher, ’96–’97) — Teacher, Hillcrest Elementary School, Ruston, LA, ’90–’96

Professional Affiliations: NAESP, ’97–present (Teacher Evaluation Committee, ’13–present; National Policy Board for Educational Administration/CCSSO committee to review the ISLLC/ELCC Standards, ’13–present; Principal Evaluation Committee, ’11–’12; National Leaders Conference, ’11–’13)  — Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAEP), ’97–present (Faculty, Aspiring Principals Workshop, ’07–present; President, ’11–’13, Secretary/Treasurer ’10–’11, Northwest Arkansas Zone Director, ’07–’10) — Board Member, Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, ’10–present — Arkansas Parent Teacher Association, Springdale City Council  (President, ’04–’05; Vice President, ’03–’04)  

Professional Honors: Arkansas Leadership Academy Master School Principal Designation, ’10 — National Distinguished Principal, ’09 — AAEP Principal of the Year, ’08 — Lincoln Parish Teacher of the Year and Louisiana Regional Teacher of the Year, ’95

Civic/Community Honors: Board Member and Chair, City of Springdale Playful City USA, ’08–’10 — Member and Performer, Arts Center of the Ozarks, ’02–’present