Carl Frank, a computer science instructor at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, has been named a finalist for the 2019 Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year award.
The Arkansas Department of Education recently announced the five finalists for the award. This is the first year the department is giving the award, which it plans to become an annual honor.
“We had many well-deserving applicants; however, when the #CSforAR team carefully considered every application, the team unanimously agreed that these five educators demonstrate both a long-term and ongoing commitment to, passion for, and impact on computer science education in Arkansas and the nation,” said Anthony Owen, state director of Computer Science Education and the chief state STEM officer. “These educators have earned and deserve this recognition.”
Frank was at the Future Business Leaders of America State Conference when he began receiving congratulatory texts and emails.
“I did not originally know why I was receiving them,” Frank said. “Eventually I had a break and looked into it. It was a pleasure to receive the news during a hectic moment at a student conference. It is a great honor to be named a finalist for the first Computer Science Educator of the Year Award. I am pleased to be in the ranks with other finalists who are friends as well as great computer science colleagues here in Arkansas.”
The other finalists are:
- Josefina Perez, business and computer science teacher at Springdale High School;
- Brenda Qualls, computer science teacher, Bryant High School;
- Kimberly Raup, computer science teacher, Conway High School; and
- Karma Turner, computer science teacher, Lake Hamilton High School in Pearcy.
Each of the finalists will receive a $2,500 award from the Arkansas Department of Education Office of Computer Science. A panel comprised of representatives from the ADE Computer Science Initiative Unit and external computer science and education leaders will review the five finalists’ applications and select the 2019 Computer Science Educator of the Year based on a rubric scoring system, according to press release from ADE.
The winner will be announced at a later date and will receive an additional $12,500 award, paid registration and travel expenses to the ADE 2019 Summit, and a $1,000 sponsorship to attend the Computer Science Teachers Association’s Annual Conference.