Readies self, school for transition

— Editor’s note: This is the last in a three-part series on Neal and his vision for the Pea RidgeSchool District.

Rick Neal is already preparing for the transition from high school principal to superintendent. He helped interview the candidates for his replacement as well as conducted the interviews for the two new positions- assistant principal and director of technology and communications/alternative learning.

Neal, who has been principal at Pea Ridge since 2005, has been in education for 28 years. He admits there will be a “huge learning curve” in the superintendent’s position, but he believes it’s a position for which he is prepared.

“I’m going to have a huge learning curve ... it’s a totally different job in regards to high school principal. But, that can also be my strength. I have such great people in my life that I can pick up the phone and contact who will help me with decisions.

“I’ve been blessed to work in Berryville for Dr. Roberts, Frank Holman at Lincoln, Ken Ramey at Siloam Springs - good administrators in my life that have been able to help me,” Neal said.

“I love Dr. Smith’s leadership, he’s a wonderful writer, but I’ll be a little different,” Neal said.

“I’m coming to see teachers, getting out of my office to see what’s going on. It’s going to be time management, it’s important for me to be visible... teachers, maintenance, transportation all would like to see me involved.

“Preparation for Common Core will be number one emphasis on my mind,” Neal said adding that he is interested in changing the “every day traditional classroom” into a more active 21st century classroom - “more project based.”

“That’s how kids are learning, through social networking and all the resources that are provided with them. There are so many things you can do with it. Why fight it?”

“We have so many challenges in education today and we have probably one of the best administrative teams in the area to guide us with the direction that we need to be to have students career and college ready.

My job will be to provide the leadership and give you the services that you need which allow the 21st century student to grow and to make our community productive.

“We have to focus, not only on math, literacy, science and social studies, but our work force is in dire need. We’re living in an agricultural society - 80 percent of the jobs are related to the agricultural field. Peopletie agriculture to cattle and poultry, but just think of all the food processes and food related industries. It’s all tied to the agricultural world. We need to be a little more redirected in where we are going with the job market.

“It’s important for me to be a part, to be in tune.

I have a unique pulse on people,” Neal said. “I want to bring out those conversations, and collaborate with everybody in the room. Even when I coached and when I taught, I saw it as an interdisciplinary unit - that’s being visionary, bringing real life aspect. We can’t stay the same, because we get same results.

“When you coach and when you teach, you learn how to be successful,” Neal said adding that he’s learned to change and grow.

Neal recalled: “Dad said ‘I never thought you’d do anything but coach. Even when you were in eighth grade that’s all you wanted to do.

I cannot believe what’s happened to you.’”

“I’m very humbled by that. I’ve had good teachers. I was challenged.

“In school, I was the jock,arrogant. It is a shock to me what these kids are doing now compared to what was going in 1978-79. I would kill for the opportunity. I don’t think it was a point of emphasis. My focus was getting that scholarship to play baseball. That ball motivated me to go to school,” he said.

“I think you grow and you realize how people want to be treated because that’s how you want to be treated.

You have people in your life who will tell you what you want to hear and people who will tell you the truth. I’ve had people who would tell me the truth.”

Neal and his wife Sheila have been married 28 years.

She is a teacher and coach in Springdale. They have two sons, Heath, 26, and Cody, 22, both students at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. Heath served five years in the Navy. He graduated from Berryville High school in 2002. Cody graduated from Pea Ridge in 2006.

Neal takes the superintendent position July 1 and Jon Laffoon will take the seat of high school principal.

News, Pages 1 on 04/18/2012