April 6, 2011

University receives State Farm education grant

Harding University received a State Farm grant in March
totaling $3,500 to support professional development for Arkansas
teachers.

Gary Stephenson, Arkansas public affairs liaison for the insurance
company, said, “One of State Farm’s strategic philanthropic targets
across the country is the professional development of our high school
teachers. We believe, specifically, the National Board for
Professional Teaching Standards is an excellent development tool, and
Harding’s involvement with the Arkansas Teachers for National Board
Certification ties in very well with developing more board-certified
teachers. We particularly appreciate Dr. Clara Carroll’s leadership in
this program.”

Carroll is assistant dean of the Cannon-Clary College of Education at
Harding and a National Board Certified teacher.

In January the University hosted the 2011 Arkansas Teachers for
National Board Certification annual conference with 160 registered
participants — up 62 percent from the previous year. Vandy Nash, NBCT
and Arkansas Teacher of the Year, and Dr. Jerry Parks, NBCT and
Kentucky Teacher of the Year and National Hall of Fame Teacher, were
the keynote speakers. This event is made possible through the support
of State Farm.

Searcy is served locally by State Farm agents Mike Hart, Blake
Hendrix, Mickey Holt and Brian Maddox.