Two Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts computer science instructors are finalists for the 2022 Arkansas Computer Science Educator of the Year award.
Carl Frank and Nicholas Seward are among the five finalists nominated for the award that recognizes computer science educators in public schools across the state. It is the fourth year that the Arkansas Department of Education’s Office of Computer Science is recognizing computer science educators.
The other educators selected as finalists include:
- Brenda Qualls, Bryant High School;
- Kimberly Raup, Conway High School; and
- Phillip Blake, eStem Public Charter Schools in Little Rock.
“This year the ADE Office of Computer Science, with its team of statewide computer science specialists, reviewed the applications of many of the best teachers in Arkansas,” said Anthony Owen, the state director of Computer Science Education. “While there were several outstanding applicants, the committee unanimously agreed these five educators best demonstrate a long-term and ongoing commitment to, passion for, and impact on computer science education in Arkansas and the nation. Congratulations to this year’s finalists!”
Both Frank and Seward said it was an honor to be recognized with their peers as well as praised the state’s efforts to grow computer science education.
“It has been my privilege to teach computer science to students and teachers as well as promote the discipline of computer science education for the last 30-plus years,” Frank said. “I am honored to be included with my peers who are also finalists this year. They are a great group of computer science educators. Arkansas is continuing to make great strides in leading the nation in computer science education.”
“Thanks to Governor Hutchinson’s computer science initiative, Arkansas is a national leader in computer science education,” Seward said. “It is something special that Arkansas continues to push the envelope by providing resources and rewarding innovation. It is such an honor to be included in this group of finalists. Specially I have known Carl and Kim for 15-plus years. Kim Raup is the hardest-working teacher I know. Carl Frank has done more for computer science statewide than any other teacher I know. I work hard to emulate both and am ecstatic to be recognized for my effort.”
Each of the finalists will receive a $2,500 award from ADE’s Office of Computer Science. A panel of representatives from the ADE Computer Science Initiative Unit and external computer science and computing education and industry leaders will review the finalists’ applications and selected the 2022 Computer Science Educator of the Year based on a rubric scoring system. The winner, who will be announced at a later date, will receive an additional $12,500 award.