Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R-AR) delivered remarks on Friday at an educator signing day event.
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00:00Good morning!
00:02Alright, let's try that again.
00:06Come on boys and girls.
00:08I'm going to put my...
00:10I was a former elementary school teacher.
00:12Most people may not know that, so he's always in the class.
00:14Everybody give me five.
00:16Let's see who my future educators are.
00:18That's two eyes, two ears, one mouth.
00:22Okay.
00:24I want to welcome you to this year's
00:28education commitment signing day.
00:32And I know that we have a lot of
00:34that I look forward to
00:36that I already look forward to each and every single year.
00:38But to us, this is one of the bright stars
00:40that's on our calendar
00:42that we all circle every year
00:44to say we're going to do something big.
00:46And it seems like it gets bigger and better
00:48each and every single year.
00:50Those that don't know, my name is Jake Oliva.
00:52I am privileged and honored to be
00:54the Secretary of Education in the great state of Arkansas.
00:56And I'm really happy to be here
00:58amongst some of the best of the best.
01:00Whether you're a student in high school
01:02thinking about going to school and being a teacher,
01:04we've got some students that are getting ready to graduate
01:08from college and waiting to choose from university.
01:10And we've even had some teachers
01:12that are finishing their program
01:14and are going ready to the classroom.
01:16So this is the pinnacle of one of the best weeks
01:18that we mark off on our calendar each and every single year.
01:22because this is Teacher Appreciation Week.
01:24And any time that we can stop
01:26and think about those teachers
01:28that made a difference in our life,
01:30we want to take that moment, be respectful,
01:32celebrate, elevate, and say thank you
01:34for what you do to go above and beyond.
01:38Also, I want to thank some of our young scholars
01:40over here. I don't know if anybody got to hear
01:42at the Jazz Band from Bryan High School.
01:44Why, how, right?
01:46Aren't they amazing?
01:48Yeah.
01:50I felt like they were professional, Brandon.
01:54It just shows you that when you think about
01:56our future in this state
01:58and you look at the talent
02:00that we have in our classroom teaching every day
02:02I know that we're a good man.
02:04And thank you to the East End cheerleaders
02:06for bringing that picture a little spirit.
02:08And thank you to our school and university partners
02:12that are here to help make this day special.
02:18So I'm excited that we're going to be able
02:20to recognize some of our best educators in the state.
02:24We also have some State Board of Education members.
02:26I'm going to put them on the spot.
02:28I saw them earlier, Dr. Sarah Moore.
02:30If you could stand these young scholars
02:32from BU and CU.
02:34Dr. Gary Arnold was here earlier.
02:36So if anybody has wondered
02:40about what the State Board of Education does,
02:42that's a really good person
02:44that you can connect with.
02:46And we always ask ourselves
02:48But without further ado,
02:50we're going to go ahead
02:52and kick today's ceremony off.
02:54And I want to start by introducing
02:56our opening speaker
02:58who has made improving education
03:00and celebrating teachers
03:02and making sure that
03:04we recognize, retain,
03:06and attract the best to the profession
03:08that we say is the greatest profession
03:10of all professions.
03:12Because it is the profession
03:13that starts off profession.
03:14And we want to say thank you
03:16to a Governor that said
03:18we're going to be number one
03:19in education in the nation
03:20and we're going to do whatever it takes
03:22to get there.
03:23So without further ado,
03:24please join me in welcoming
03:25our 47th Governor of the Great State of Arkansas,
03:28Governor Sarah Sanders.
03:36Good morning.
03:37You know, I usually say
03:39a lot of really nice things about Jacob,
03:41but I'm starting to get concerned
03:43after I hear him say that he's,
03:46you know, standing around asking himself
03:49what do we do here every day.
03:51So, but in reality,
03:54Jacob does a phenomenal job
03:56leading the Department of Education
03:58who has built a great team
04:00to become an amazing state board
04:02that worked tirelessly
04:04until Arkansas
04:05become the best state
04:07in the country for education.
04:08And so we appreciate their leadership.
04:10One of those people on that team
04:12that does such a great job
04:14that I have a privilege to get to know.
04:16And I hope all the people
04:17get to know him as well.
04:19But that's Arkansas' 2024 Teacher of the Year
04:23at Roman Castle.
04:25And I knew from the second I stepped foot
04:27in his classroom
04:29that this was the kind of teacher
04:31we want to recruit,
04:33to retain,
04:34to reward,
04:35and figure out how to replicate.
04:37Because he had so much energy
04:40and he could tell how much his students loved him.
04:44I think he could teach any subject
04:46and get high school students excited about it.
04:49And that's saying something
04:50because it can be a challenge
04:52to get high school students excited
04:55about certain topics.
04:56But he brings an energy and a love
04:59and a passion to the classroom.
05:01And that's why it's exciting to be here today.
05:03Because I know that's exactly what we're looking at.
05:05Who are the next Bocacasters?
05:08Who are the next proper teachers
05:11that are going to lead the next generation
05:13of students in our state
05:15that will bring that level of passion
05:17and energy and excitement to the classroom.
05:20We know that great education
05:22starts with a great teacher.
05:24And that's why when I met like this
05:26it's so important.
05:27Because we want to have the best and the brightest
05:30helping us educate the best and the brightest
05:32around the state.
05:33I had a lot of great teachers in my life.
05:36I would not be where I am
05:37if I hadn't had teachers who believed in me,
05:39who pushed me, who challenged me,
05:42who maybe gave me a grade that I deserved
05:46and didn't really like occasionally.
05:48And one of my favorite teachers,
05:51my dad became governor kind of overnight.
05:55It was not a planned election.
05:57He was the lieutenant governor.
05:58He got dressed into office.
06:00And we moved from Texarkana to Little Rock.
06:03I started a new school in ninth grade.
06:06I think ninth grade is hard enough all by itself.
06:09And so going into a new school with a whole new set of challenges
06:14was something I was not really ready for or excited about.
06:18And my ninth grade civics teacher was a man named Sam Stewart.
06:22I came into his classroom.
06:24I didn't know anybody in the entire school.
06:27And Mr. Stewart encouraged me to participate in the mock trial team.
06:32And I didn't want to do that.
06:33I didn't want nothing to do with that.
06:35I felt too much like what my parents were involved in.
06:38And I tried many times to tell them
06:41that it would be my most convincing to join that team.
06:44I thought I didn't think the best way to make new friends
06:47was you don't argue with them.
06:49But apparently it worked.
06:52And he gave me confidence I didn't know I needed.
06:56And I learned lifelong skills that, frankly,
06:58I had to use probably more often than people in this building
07:02would like to see.
07:03And it was because I had a great teacher who saw something
07:06and he pushed me that, frankly, I knew where I am today.
07:10And so I know what a huge difference a good teacher can make.
07:14And I am really excited about the willingness
07:18of the people that are here today to step in to the classroom
07:22and to start on what I thought would be able to work on a journey
07:26where you will have the ability to influence kids in many ways
07:30and you will have no idea the impact that you can have on their life.
07:35And so I think it's just such a phenomenal and exciting thing.
07:39And we don't just want to encourage you with words.
07:43Frankly, we've taken action to try to encourage
07:46and make teaching something where we're recognizing
07:49and rewarding the hard work that you're putting into the classroom.
07:53It was a significant part of Arkansas Learns legislation
07:56where we raised starting teacher pay going from the very bottom
08:00in the country at $36,000 a year to $50,000 a year,
08:05making sure every single teacher in the state got a pay raise at least $2,000.
08:10And one of the other things I'm really proud of is we created a merit program
08:16where last year we were able to award really 3,000 educators across the state
08:21with $10 million in bonuses because of the great work that they were doing in the classroom.
08:27In this legislative session, we added and were able to sign and pay,
08:32the state will now cover up to 12 weeks of payment from any leave for every public school in the state,
08:39which has been just significantly higher in our position in most every other state in the country.
08:44So a great recruiting, but also a great way to keep those wonderful teachers in the classroom.
08:50So we're going to continue to look for incentives and ways that we can reward
08:56and recognize our amazing teachers.
08:59But today I want to be here to say thank you for your willingness to engage in this profession,
09:05for your willingness to help us raise the next generation of leaders, of doctors, of teachers, of nurses,
09:12of mechanics, of welders.
09:14They will all be coming through your doors.
09:17And so we're going to continue to help us build the best state we possibly can.
09:21And we're thankful for your willingness to take on.
09:24So thanks for being here today.
09:25Congratulations.
09:26And we look forward to seeing all the great work that you do for our state.
09:39Good morning, Governor Sanders, distinguished guests, and future educators.
09:45I just love to say that word, future educators.
09:48It's exciting.
09:49I'm Carly Saraceni.
09:51I'm the Assistant Commissioner for Educator Effectiveness and Life Center.
09:54It is with great pride and excitement that I stand before you today to recognize our first inaugural
10:042025 registered teacher apprenticeship graduates.
10:09And that's exciting.
10:11We were one of eight states back in 2021 that applied for our registered apprenticeship program for education.
10:19Ross White and his team at DCTE was right there with us.
10:23And we couldn't have done it without him and his team.
10:27But the Arkansas registered teacher apprentice is more than just a program.
10:31It's a promise.
10:32It's a promise that we will create meaningful opportunities to those who aspire to lead in our classrooms and shape the future of education in Arkansas.
10:44This apprenticeship is crucial and is a huge component of our grow-grown model designed to cultivate and support passionate individuals who want to make a lasting impression on the lives of our students.
10:59This initiative represents the results of tireless collaboration in partnership with not only our in-state agencies, Office of Skills Development,
11:12Arkansas Department of Education, Higher Education, and also the U.S. Department of Labor.
11:18Through this program, aspiring educators can gain hands-on classroom experience, receive financial support, earn a salary, and progress for the lives of our students, all while remaining in the communities that they love and serve.
11:38Today we celebrate not only your achievement, but also the commitment to teaching, to learning, and to the children of Arkansas.
11:49So it's a great pride that I am going to recognize and call these six graduates up.
11:55And I think Ms. Capri is going to help me with this.
12:00And I think Secretary Lee is going to come up here.
12:03I would love to have it.
12:08Today I'm going to start and I'm going to recognize Cassandra McFerger from Bentfield School District.
12:17She could not make it today because she is graduating today.
12:22She already has a third grade position at Sugar Creek Secondary in Tennessee.
12:32And today the person who is receiving this award for her is her Chief Operating Officer, Kenya Sharp.
12:40And we really appreciate how Bentonville has worked with us to make sure that Ms. Cassandra has had a great experience.
12:50And I know that.
12:51And I know that.
12:52And we're excited.
12:56We also have another that couldn't make it here today because
13:09Caitlin in Gotham at Cambridge Spring School District is already in the classroom, working on a fine teacher permit.
13:19But today, Dr. Julie Workman for March 4 Co-op is going to accept her plan for her because she might be out of the classroom today.
13:31But we are so excited that Caitlin is already on the job.
13:38Good.
13:39Good.
13:40We're good.
13:48Our names core are here in person, and I am so excited to start with Aleisha Rose.
13:56Alicia Rose is at Southside School District, Southside Wheatridge School District.
14:06Alicia, and we are so excited she is graduating, and she is on the next educator.
14:20So excited.
14:26Our next three had a pack because they are all in the same school district, and yes, Mena School District.
14:38And it is, I'm going to start with LaShay Holder.
14:44I am so excited with this journey, and I know that LaShay, every apprentice is here with a journey worker.
14:56And I know her journey worker is here, so why don't you stand also because I know you are just as excited as she is.
15:08Because without those journey workers, those mentors, they could not make this journey alive.
15:16So another one from Mena School District is Stacey Drake.
15:20And I would love her to be working with her to stand as well because I know she is right there with her.
15:30Congratulations.
15:32We are so excited.
15:36Again, we have believed that they are staying in the classroom, staying in the community, and they are growing their own.
15:44We are so excited.
15:46We are so excited.
16:00We are so excited.
16:02This is our teacher.
16:04And again, we are here.
16:08So congratulations to our 2025 Registered Apprentice graduates.
16:20We are glad to be here.
16:22We are glad to be here.
16:24We are glad to be here.
16:26We are glad to be here.
16:34And now, without further ado, our 2024 Bo McCaslin, our Teacher of the Year.
16:41You don't have to do that.
16:42And he has been great.
16:44And I cannot say how much our team has worked and enjoyed you all year.
16:48Well, thank you so much, buddy.
16:51Good morning.
16:52Good morning.
16:53How awesome is this morning?
16:54How fitting is it today that the last day of Teacher Appreciation Week, we are here to
17:00honor many in this room who are going to be taking their first steps of their teaching
17:04career.
17:05And I'm willing to bet most of you have a teacher in your life.
17:09At some point, you realize that a teacher was special to you, not because of the content
17:14that they filled in your head, but the hope that they filled into your heart.
17:18And for those of you who are just starting your career this year, you too will hit that
17:23stage in your teaching career where you realize it's not the content that's most important,
17:28but it's the hope that you're filling in your students' hearts.
17:31And I get the honor today to introduce you to a special teacher who spent 40 years filling
17:36hearts with hope.
17:38It's an honor to stand before you today and recognize an extraordinary individual whose
17:43life's work has left an indelible mark on our community, our schools, and most importantly,
17:49our students.
17:50A beloved colleague, mentor, and educator, Ms. Anita Becker.
17:55For a remarkable 40 years of service, Mrs. Bell has been the heartbeat of public education,
18:08a quiet force of consistency, compassion, and excellence.
18:12She has remained a steady light now in generation after generation of students toward not just
18:17knowledge, but confidence, purpose, and possibility.
18:21Think about it.
18:22Four decades.
18:23That's more than 7,000 school days, thousands of hours working on massive schedules,
18:28hundreds of fan-teacher conferences, and countless early mornings and late mornings.
18:33She taught students how to believe in themselves, how to overcome obstacles, and how to rise to
18:38their potential.
18:39And even in retirement, her dedication has not waited.
18:43She continues to be an active member of the Arkansas Retired Teachers Association, a voice
18:47of wisdom and advocacy for those who have served in classrooms across the state.
18:52Furthermore, she serves on the Board of Trustees for the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, helping
18:57to protect and steward the benefits that so many educators rely on, demonstrating once
19:02again that her commitment to service doesn't end at the classroom anymore.
19:07And yet, despite all of her accomplishments, what stands out most is her humility.
19:13When she received the phone call informing her that she was being honored today, she didn't
19:17talk about herself.
19:18No.
19:19She immediately began naming other educators who she believed were more deserving, lifting
19:25up their work and their support.
19:27That's who she is, always thinking of others, always deflecting the spotlight, and always putting
19:32students and colleagues first.
19:35Her life's work has never been about recognition, it's always been about purpose.
19:40And that's why today is so special, because we have the opportunity to shine the spotlight
19:44on someone who has skipped her entire career shining the spotlight on others.
19:49Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.
19:52You are, and will always be, a true champion of educators.
19:56At this time, we are proud to present Ms. Anita Bell with this Lifetime Educator Award.
20:01Congratulations.
20:03Good morning.
20:04I am humbled and honored by this award.
20:10Good morning.
20:11I am humbled and honored by this award.
20:14I still love the first day of school, and I still love school.
20:27It has been my privilege to actually work for 40 years in public education as a teacher,
20:42as a secondary guidance counselor.
20:44As I look around the room, I am delighted to see young people that are interested in teaching.
20:50If I could give you one bit of advice, even though the lesson may not always be what you want it to be,
20:59always remember you are planting seeds.
21:02And the seed may not come up that day, that moment, but it's going to eventually bloom.
21:08So thank you for your interest in teaching and for all you want to do for the community, your students, and for education.
21:18Thanks again.
21:19And I am just overwhelmed.
21:25You have seen a lot of change in the world.
21:42We're going to talk about the early beginning, the middle of the year.
21:47At this time, we would like to welcome our special guest.
22:01Dr. Moore, if you'll also come up.
22:02We're going to actually begin signing our commitment to education form.
22:07And Ms. Bell is going to lead us in the countdown.
22:11All right.
22:12Five, four, three, two, one, set!
22:42And all of our professors from our colleges of education are going to please sign our Department of Ed and Students.
23:08I know that you all have a commitment to signing forms at your respective tables, and so we'll sign those as well.
23:14But if you all come up and sign our poster at this time.
23:20Let everyone be shouting.