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15 Principals Complete Phase III of Master Principal Program


Posted Date: 06/27/2022

June 24, 2022 (LITTLE ROCK) - The Arkansas Leadership Academy is proud to announce the following principals have completed Phase III of the Master Principal Program:

  • Chad Pitts, Benton Junior High School, Benton School District
  • Eric Hipp, Ruth Barker Middle School, Bentonville School District
  • Jyme Beth Diffee, Booneville Elementary School, Booneville School District
  • Courtney Cochran, Cedarville High School, Cedarville School District
  • Chase McCollum, Fordyce High School, Fordyce School District
  • Dawn Childress, Raymond F. Orr Elementary, Fort Smith Public Schools
  • Katie Curry, Fountain Lake Elementary School, Fountain Lake School District
  • Ashley Hammett, Springhill Elementary School, Greenbrier School District
  • Kimberly Koch, Mayflower Middle School, Mayflower Public Schools
  • Tiffany Randall, Glenview Elementary School, North Little Rock School District
  • Justin Rasnick, Sheridan Middle School, Sheridan School District
  • Michael Odom, Arkansas High School, Texarkana School District
  • Brian Mitchell, Harmony Leadership Academy, Texarkana School District
  • Tracey Boyles, Edward D. Trice Elementary, Texarkana School District
  • Tracy Valentine, Weaver Elementary School, West Memphis School District

“Completion of the Master Principal Program involves commitment and dedication to continuous improvement of leadership skills. It has been an honor to work with the participants in the program this past year. I have learned an enormous amount by collaborating with and leading their community of practice cohort. They are all wonderfully talented principals, and I am proud to know each of them.” Dondi Frisinger, Master Principal Program Director for the 2021-2022 cohort, said.

The Arkansas Leadership Academy Master Principal Program was authorized by Act 44 of the Second Extraordinary Session of the 2003 Arkansas General Assembly to “expand the knowledge base and leadership skills of public school principals.” The Master Principal Program is a multi-year commitment, which consists of three phases of professional learning followed by an assessment by a team of trained examiners to review student performance, principal performance, and school performance.

These Master Principal Phase III completers are now eligible to apply for designation. If designated, they will receive a $9,000 bonus each year for five years, and are eligible for an additional $25,000 per year for five years if they serve a high-need public school. 

For more information about the Arkansas Leadership Academy and the Master Principal Program, visit www.arkansasleadershipacademy.org.