PULASKI COUNTY, Ark. -- The Pulaski County Special School District awarded its first Inspiration in Education award for the 2024-2025 school year at the October Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
Derrick McDonald, an intercessor at College Station Elementary, received the award on Tuesday evening. McDonald was among more than twenty educators nominated for this recognition, having received eight nominations from colleagues at College Station.
McDonald is a native of the College Station community, attended school at College Station Elementary and has worked at the school for the past three years.
Angelica Evans, principal of College Station, shares how McDonald wears many hats around campus. He helps kids stay on track in Lexia, coaches the Mighty Dragons basketball team and provides extra security for College Station students, families and staff. “He provides emotional support for teachers and adeptly handles various situations. Parents consistently express their appreciation for the positive impact he has on their children.”
“Coach Mac, as we call him at College Station, meets the students each morning with an upbeat attitude as they arrive and addresses them by name,” says special education teacher James R. Walker. “He also checks in on each student to make sure they are keeping up with their lessons in class, and they are behaving well. Coach Mac also volunteers his time to coach our students in a football and basketball league. He absolutely goes above and beyond for our students here at College Station.”
College Station bookkeeper LaTanya Cheatham also praised the daily impact McDonald makes at the school. “In the mornings he comes hyped and excited about what the day brings. He keeps the staff ready and motivated for a positive day in our school. I really believe that his spirit and energy really lifts the morale in our building.”
The Board of Education created the Inspiration in Education award to honor certified and support staff members who are inspirational to their students or colleagues in their roles at PCSSD. Additionally, the award recognizes employees who exhibit traits including leadership, mentoring, dedication, excellence and effectiveness in their places of work.
The Inspiration in Education award is presented to the winner quarterly in October, December, March and May. Anyone may nominate a PCSSD employee for the award. The applications are reviewed by the Superintendent's Cabinet for ranking, and the highest scorer is named the quarterly winner and receives the award from the PCSSD Board of Education.