Rogers Assistant Principal Receives State Honor
Lance Arbuckle, Rogers High School assistant principal, right, laughs while Richard Abernathy, executive director of Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators, speaks on Monday at the school. Arbuckle was recognized by the organization as the state’s assistant principal of the year.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
ROGERS — Involvement with students and community earned Lance Arbuckle recognition as Arkansas High School Assistant Principal of the Year on Monday.
The idea of students first seems to be a theme in Rogers leadership, said Richard Abernathy, Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators executive director. Arbuckle’s application stood out because of his leadership at the state level; his involvement in the Rogers High School Site Council; increasing enrollment in Advanced Placement classes at the school; and because of a student letter pointing out his banter with students during lunch and sporting events, and his dedication.
At A Glance
Lance Arbuckle
• Arbuckle has been assistant principal at Rogers High School since 2009.
• He was principal at Leavenworth High School, in Kansas in 2008; assistant principal at Olathe Northwest High School from 2003 to 2008; and assistant principal at El Dorado High School in 2002.
• Arbuckle was a science teacher at Bentonville High School from 1997 to 2002.
• Arbuckle was named principal of the Rogers New Tech High School, a charter high school option opening in Rogers this fall that will focus on project and technology-based learning.
“If it comes from kids that's pretty much unbiased,” Abernathy said. “A lot of people can discipline kids, but it takes a real leader and a lot of compassion with kids to really banter back and forth.”
Arbuckle is the third administrator in two years to be honored at Rogers High School. Robert Moore was named 2011-12 Arkansas High School Principal of the Year in May and Karen Highfill was named assistant principal of 2011-12 in November 2011.
Three honors in two years is highly unusual, Abernathy said.
Arbuckle, echoing the words of the other two principals, said the award is not necessarily about one person.
“I hope I support you guys. You guys are the reason I'm getting this, so thank you,” he said.
The staff is what makes the difference, said Superintendent Janie Darr. The state honor says a lot about the administration, she said.
Administrators and teachers have to work in tandem to work well, said Steve Long, chemistry teacher.
“We could not do our jobs and be successful were it not for the leadership,” Long said.
Arbuckle heads the science department, and Long says he appreciates his background as a science teacher.
Students come first with Arbuckle, Long said, whether that means scheduling more classes based on student needs or reviewing budgets based on what options have proven student success.
Arbuckle also helps teachers look for ways to improve themselves said John Raybourn, Advanced Placement government teacher. Arbuckle’s open door policy extends to teachers as well.
“He gets back with you quickly,” Raybourn said.
Arbuckle’s wife, Jennifer Arbuckle, said she is glad to see him honored.
“Education is his life, it's his world. This is what he does” she said.