Teaching The Next Generation

Among parents’ highest hopes for their children is that they’ll always be healthy, happy and prepared for what life brings in the future. For this, young men and women must be intellectually fit, and it’s a process that begins at home, continues through preparatory school and then on through school and possibly college.

Saline County has always been fortunate to have a strong selection of schools from which to choose, and this year, Benton Schools are literally moving front and center into the spotlight for its wealth of achievement.

“I tell people all the time that it’s the best-kept secret,” said Benton Superintendent Jeff Collum. “It’s one of those ‘gem’ schools. I want to polish it up and let it shine as much as possible.”

Attention toward Benton Schools is now reaching beyond Arkansas’ borders and onto the national stage. In March, Collum was contacted by a producer for the educational program, “In View,” which is hosted by Larry King. They expressed interest in spotlighting the School for its list of accolades as one of the state’s top performing districts.

“In View” is an educational program produced by the independent production company, Profiles Series Productions, LLC.  The program is dedicated to educating viewers on important topics ranging medical research, environmental topics, technology, and in this case educational. In short, the series looks to shine a light on “the brightest and the best.”

That notoriety was exactly what Collum sought for his teachers and students after joining Benton Schools from Tyler, Texas, two years ago. “You see kids achieving at the highest levels in everything they do,” he said. “We have a formula for success that works for the child. It’s truly a great thing to be part of.

Among the high achievements for teachers and students (and there are many), the 2013-14 school year saw the following:

• Named among “America’s Best High Schools” by U.S. News & World Report
• 6A/7A State Champions in 4th Grade Literacy, Algebra I, Geometry, Baseball, Cheerleading, Dance, Golf and Volleyball
• Benton High School Cheerleading National Champions
• Nationally Distinguished Principal
• NCEA Higher Performing School

It’s a long list of success, demonstrating years of hard work from everyone involved with the District. When describing the formula for success, Collum says it first starts with attitude.

“The family atmosphere is remarkable among the staff,” he said. “There is no substitute for good teaching. We’ve got the best teachers–bar none–in the state, if not the nation. They care so much for the students, and when you combine that level of attention with the parents’ involvement, it’s just incredible.”

Collum also notes a great deal of his schools’ success rests on a continued strong relationship with the Benton School Board. “That’s invaluable. You can have all the ideas you want as a superintendent, but if the school board is not there to help you out, it’s very difficult. And they have always been helpful.”

Complimenting the existing relationship between students, teachers and administrators, Collum says he can’t speak highly enough about additional community support from the city of Benton. Notably, he highlighted the help students receive from Jason Kelly and the staff at the Boys and Girls Club of Saline County, which has its buildings near the high school.

“It serves as an extended day for our students, a place to go before the school day or after,” he said. “Jason and his staff provide food, group projects, activities and tutoring. It’s a great partnership, benefitting roughly 400 kids and serves as another compliment to their education. It’s incredible.”

While education is key for Collum and the list of achievements is more than just noteworthy, the existence of changes and challenges is ever-present. One such challenge garnering attention both locally and nationally is the educational standards found in Common Core.

Collum said the program has been embraced by Benton Schools, and while it has its fair share of detractors, the results have so far been positive. “I think there are two, maybe three sides to this issue,” he said. “But Benton has embraced the concept, delivered it with fidelity and implemented well.”

One area Collum contended might need adjustment in the future was with math and techniques used for younger students.

“If you go down to the lower grade levels, I think there’s concern from a lot of parents, teachers and principals, saying we really need to look at the math because of new and different strategies to how it’s being taught.

“It’s not that it’s necessarily ‘right’ or ‘wrong.’ It’s just different. Common Core isn’t using the traditional multiplication tables that we grew up with.  It’s early, and we’re still troubleshooting some of the problems that exist.”

A strength Collum touts in favor of Common Core stems from his time as teacher almost two decades ago. “I was given a textbook and told, ‘Here. Go teach,’” he said.  There wasn’t a standard curriculum, and I didn’t have a clue as to what the guy before me or the guy after me taught or was going to teach.

“I knew I had to be in charge of my classroom, and I had to create lessons on my own,” he added. “Common Core helps provide those standards and benchmarks and allow our teachers to know where they are or where they should be during the year. It’s changed the game, but I think there’s good in it, if you put it to use.”

After two years with Benton Schools, Collum concedes the success enjoyed by students and teachers is wonderful. So with the national attention coming from “In View,” where does he want the District to go from here?

“I want us to continue building and working to win,” he said. “A champion needs a challenge, and we’re definitely champions. I think first we need to continue building on an already strong foundation and continue telling our story.

“Let people know how special this place is, and I know what it’ll bring. It will bring in students and their parents to look at our District and look at our city. “As far as achievement? I’d like to see us work toward National Blue Ribbon School Status.”

Filming for the “In View” segment was done before the end of the 2013-14 school year.  Production will take place during the summer and the half hour program feature Benton School District will air in the fourth quarter.