Four Arkansans earned high honors at the National Association of Agricultural Educators meeting last month in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lamar’s Chris Bacchus, Pangburn’s Brian Harris, Alma’s Kisia Holland and Glen Rose’s John Jones brought awards home from the group’s annual meeting. The NAAE is a federation of state agricultural educators’ associations with more than 9,000 members.
Bacchus was named Outstanding Agriculture Teacher for Region 2 (seven states, including Arkansas) by fostering “boundless classroom and limitless learning” for his students, the NAAE says. The award recognized Bacchus’ role in shaping the future and honored his contributions to developing the next generation of citizens and agricultural leaders.
Harris, now in his 25th year teaching agriculture, was recognized for his service to ag education. He earned the Region 2 Outstanding Service Teacher of the Year award.
Holland took the Early Career Teacher of the Year award for her work at Alma. Holland successfully completed the NAAE’s 21st annual National Agriscience Teacher Ambassador Academy last summer.
Jones, who recently retired from Glen Rose, won the Lifetime Achievement Award.
NAAE maintains an extensive awards program to recognize accomplishments of talented and dedicated educators. It awards agricultural educators in every stage of their careers, from scholarships to lifetime achievement. It also manages grant programs for organizations to help support agricultural education and agricultural educators.