LITTLE ROCK — Dr. Richard Abernathy, superintendent of the Bryant School District, has been named by the Board of Directors of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators (AAEA) as the Association’s new Executive Director, effective July 1, 2010. Dr. Abernathy replaces Dr. Tom Kimbrell who left the AAEA in September of this year to become Commissioner of Education for Arkansas.
Belinda Akin, President of the AAEA Board of Directors stated, “The AAEA Board is so pleased that Dr. Abernathy has accepted the Executive Director’s position. His extensive experience as a teacher, building level principal, and district administrator in Arkansas schools will serve him well as the leader of our professional organization. He has been a member of AAEA for a number of years, served in a leadership capacity on several of our boards, and understands the challenges facing Arkansas teachers, administrators, and school districts.”[more]
Abernathy’s Background
EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP AND TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Superintendent of Schools, Bryant Public Schools, Bryant, Arkansas, 2003 – Present.
Superintendent of Schools, Paris Public Schools, Paris, Arkansas, 2000 – 2003.
Assistant Superintendent, Ozark Public Schools, Ozark, Arkansas, 1998 – 2000.
High School Principal, Clarksville Public Schools, Clarksville, Arkansas, 1997 – 1998.
High School Principal, Lavaca Public Schools, Lavaca, Arkansas, 1993 – 1997.High School math teacher/coach, Alma Public Schools, Alma, Arkansas, 1987 – 1993.
EDUCATION
Doctor of Education, University of Arkansas at Fayetteville, 2002
Specialist Degree in Educational Administration, UA, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1996
Masters Degree in Educational Administration, UA, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1991
BSE Degree in Education, UA, Fayetteville, Arkansas, 1987
Graduate of Mena High School, Mena, Arkansas, 1983
FAMILY
Dr. Abernathy, his wife Paula, and their two children, Tyson age 17 and London age 15 reside in Bryant. Paula is a Learning Specialist for the Bryant School district and the family attends Indian Springs Baptist Church in Bryant. Dr. Abernathy is the son of State Representative Bill Abernathy of Mena and the grandson of Ode Maddox who served in the Arkansas Legislature for over 40 years.
AAEA Background
The Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators was organized in 1976. The AAEA is an umbrella association with eleven constituent educational administrator organizations. The Association currently serves approximately 2500 members in educational institutions across the State.
