Carl Frank and Nicholas Seward, both computer science instructors at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, were selected as finalists for the Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year for 2023.
The Arkansas Department of Education Office of Computer Science selected five finalists for the award, which honors educators who demonstrate a strong commitment to and substantial impact on the state’s computer science initiative in their school and community. The award was created in December 2018 by then Gov. Asa Hutchinson. This was the fifth year for the award.
In addition to this year, Frank has also been a finalist in 2019, 2021 and 2022. Frank was previously recognized as the national Computer Science Teachers Association Advocate of the year in 2015 while serving as president of the organization’s Arkansas chapter. He has also served on the Arkansas Computer Science Task Force, which researches and recommends computer science and technology standards for the state.
“I am pleased and honored to be recognized with the other computer science educators as finalists,” Frank said. “I feel that I am in good company being part of this group.”
This was the second year in a row that Seward was a finalist for the award, the first being in 2022. He said it was an honor to be chosen as a finalist alongside Frank as well as the other educators.
“More people than ever from across the state are pushing computer science to new levels. It is an honor to have my contributions recognized,” he said.
“Carl Frank has been a lifelong computer science advocate for the state and the nation. He has been instrumental at every turn to the Arkansas computer science initiative. I consider him a mentor and am honored to be named as a co-finalist.”
Seward also said ASMSA has been an outstanding partner in advancing computer science withing the state.
The other finalists included Ethan Hodge of Russellville High School, Brenda Qualls of Bryant High School and John Mark Russell of Ignite Professional Studies in Bentonville. Hodge was announced as the CS Educator of the Year during an event at the All-State Coding Competition held April 29.