Still at work this summer

PEA RIDGE — The halls of the Pea Ridge Intermediate School are empty and the principal hasn’t seen anyfaculty members in days; it’s summer.

When Sarah Stokes, principal of Pea Ridge Intermediate School, isn’t traveling or capturing stunning images with her camera she is preparing for the next school year.

After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Missouri Southern University and her master’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas, Stokes was on the road to becoming an educator.

She celebrates this year as her 24th working in education and her 15th working as an administrator.

Before she moved to Pea Ridge, she spent 17 years in Dover working in the high school level.

Though there’s a major agedifference between elementary and high school students, she was surprised by how easy the transition was.

“Discipline is a bit different,” Stokes said. “High school students can get in their car and skip class while elementary students act out on the playground during recess.”

While discipline may be different for elementary students, she realizes that children have similar needs.

“Good teaching is good teaching, no matter what level you’re at,” Stokes said.

From her experience in education, Stokes is able to identify the makings of a good teacher, which has helped with the transition.

Stokes with her staff to help them get acquainted with new policies and curriculum changes such as the common core curriculum this upcoming school year.

“We’re trying to learn more about it and teachers are attending workshops for math and literacy,” Stokes said.

Currently, Stokes is working onthe budget for next year, scheduling for students and professional development with teachers.

“Teachers attend workshops throughout the summer to get acquainted with what’s new in the field,” she said.

Last year was Stokes’ first year as the principal of Pea Ridge Intermediate School and the most important thing she learned was about culture.

“Just because you’ve worked at a small school in Arkansas before doesn’t mean the culture is the same at another school,” she explained.

Stokes learned the importance of being open to the things that are important to people in the area when she became a principal in Pea Ridge.

Stokes’ husband, Dale, is the principal of Elkins High School and they have four children and three grandchildren.

The Stokes spend much of their time traveling and spending time with one another. Sarah Stokes recently returned from her travels to Austria, Germany and Switzerland.