Distinguished Educator

Ms. Betty Ford is a native of Marianna, Arkansas. She graduated from Anna Strong High School in 1966. She earned a BSE in Elementary Education from Chicago State University. She received her master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Arkansas State University, where she was also certified in elementary administration and elementary guidance. She began […]

Jim is the namesake for the elementary school in the Conway School District. He had a 40-year career in education and also spent nine years as the first Toad Master for Toad Suck Daze, Conway’s iconic May festival. Stone’s 40-year career in education included 27 in Conway (his alma mater), 10 in Crossett and three

Margaret Grimes, a life-long Conway resident, received her BSE from UCA. She began her teaching career in Conway Public Schools in the mid-1970s, teaching fifth grade for 15 years at Ellen Smith Elementary. While at Ellen Smith, she was named the 1989 District Teacher of the Year. She then taught Social Studies and Arkansas History

Mr. Lasker graduated from Pine Street High School and later from Philander Smith College. He began his educational career as the head boys’ basketball coach at Lincoln High School in Washington, Arkansas. He later coached at Pine Street and then went on to teach Science at Conway Junior High School, with the remainder of his

Carolyn Lewis is a Conway native. She attended Conway Public Schools and graduated with honors from Conway High School in 1961. She earned a BSE and MSE in Early Childhood Education from the University of Central Arkansas. She taught for eight year at Warren Dupree Elementary School in the Pulaski County School District, and five

A native of Marked Tree, Ark., Woodrow “Woody” Cummins attended Arkansas State Teachers College (now University of Central Arkansas), where he played football and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. He also earned his specialist and doctorate in education the University of Arkansas. Cummins taught elementary school and served as principal and assistant superintendent. He

A 1941 graduate of the University of North Texas, A.C. Anderson worked as a chemist in the Texas oil fields after graduation and served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He and his wife Mildred opened Anderson’s Paint and Wallpaper in Conway. Having taught in the Rio Grande Valley and Little Rock’s Joe