Dr. Tammy Butler has been named as the incoming assistant principal for Harp Elementary School.
"What an honor to be chosen to serve the staff, students and families at Harp Elementary," Butler said. "I want to thank Dr. Cleveland, the district administration team, Mrs. Brock and the School Board for this opportunity."
Springdale Public Schools has the best team of educators in the state, she said.
"I count it a great privilege to serve alongside them," Butler said. "I am ready to partner with Mrs. Brock and the Harp staff to continue the incredible work that Linda Childers-Knapp and Alison Strange have begun. Harp has had a reputation of strong culture since 2002 that I want to see continue."
Butler currently serves as an instructional facilitator at Knapp Elementary School, where she said she's worked for a year. She's worked for Springdale Schools for 16 years and in education for 23 years.
She has also served the district as an academic support interventionist at Hellstern Middle School for one year and an instructional facilitator at Monitor Elementary School for 14 years, Butler said.
Butler earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in Early Childhood Education and a Ph.D in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Arkansas.
She likewise holds certifications as an English as a second language specialist and a reading specialist, a Dyslexia endorsement and will complete K-12 Administration certification from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro in the fall.
"I have also been a visiting instructor at the University of Arkansas, as well as John Brown University," she said.
The educator said she hopes to bring her background in reading and Professional Learning Community experience to her new role at Harp.
Dr. Jared Cleveland, Springdale Public Schools superintendent, said he's excited to announce Butler as Harp's new assistant principal.
"Dr. Butler is an outstanding Springdale instructional facilitator with a deep understanding of teaching and learning, especially in the science of reading," Cleveland said. "She is a clinical practitioner, a master communicator and a tremendously skilled leader.
"Mrs. Brock and Dr. Butler will will be an aggressive team that will build on the strong foundation that Ms. Strange and Mr. Bolin developed over time," he continued. "I am confident the Harp Hawks are in great hands."
Butler has been married 29 years to Gary Butler, she said. The couple has five children, Kennady, 24, Landon, 22, Carson, 18, Mia, 17, and Ava, 13.
Carson is a senior at Har-Ber High School, Mia is a junior at Har-Ber, and Ava is an eighth-grader at Central Junior High School, Butler said. Kennady works as an instructional assistant at Knapp Elementary and is married to Patrick Shewmaker, who also works at Knapp as a qualified behavioral specialist.