Hello Acorn Elementary Community!

I am Beth Jackson, and I am honored to be the principal of Acorn Elementary.  As principal, I embrace the opportunity to partner with you to provide a safe, engaging, and caring educational environment as we work together to reach everyone's potential.

As I begin my 40th year in education, I am committed to ensuring every Acorn Elementary student receives the very best education possible, and that all stakeholders are partners in our success.  Our efforts to educate our children are more impactful when we all work together.

On a more personal note, I am married to my very supportive husband of 36 years, Ken.  We have two children and five grandchildren.  My favorite pastime is spending time with my family, especially our annual CampNanandGramps!  We own and operate a poultry farm in Dierks.  While we maintain our farm and home in Dierks, I am excited to reside in the Acorn community as well and enjoy building strong relationships with teachers, students, families, and the community.  

I am truly blessed to be part of the Ouachita River School District family and the instructional leader of Acorn Elementary.

Proud to be a Tiger!

#AEStigersSERVE

Contact:

bejackson@orsd.k12.ar.us

My role is to work in collaboration with teachers, students and parents to help manage the behavior of our students at school, both positive and negative. My goal is to help all of our students feel safe and cared for while at school as well as helping prepare them for being out in the world. I am also the tennis coach!

About me:

I am in my 10th year at ORSD where I have served many roles over the years. I am currently working on my Masters Degree. I am married to Mrs. Amanda Bohlman, who is a 1st grade teacher at Acorn Elementary. I really enjoy spending time with my family and watching and coaching my kids to do whatever it is they are doing!

Contact:

sbohlman@orsd.k12.ar.us

As a school nurse, my role is to ensure the health and well being of our students and staff by providing a range of services. 

          -First Aid and Emergency Care

         - Health Assessments and Screenings

         - Health Education

         - Chronic Disease Management

         - Mental Health Support

I Have been married to my wonderful husband Thomas for the past 24 years.  We have two grown children and lots of animals.  This will be by 5th year caring for the students and staff at Acorn and plan to keep doing so in the future.  I enjoy spending time outdoors and surrounded by the people I love. 

Contact:

abennett@orsd.k12.ar.us

As a passionate First Grade Teacher, I enjoy teaching all subjects while fostering a love of learning in my students. I aim to make learning a fun, engaging experience that sparks a lifelong passion for knowledge. I believe in creating a classroom environment where students feel valued, loved, and inspired to reach their full potential.

About Me:

• I am in my 19th year of teaching

• I have been married for 22 years

• I have seven children 

• I love to travel, shop, decorate, and cheer on my kiddos

• 2023 DMESC Rural Education Teacher of the Year

Contact:

abohlman@orsd.k12.ar.us

I believe that an educator is a giver of gifts; the gift of knowledge, the gift of curiosity, the gift of opportunity.

The role of an educational leader is to be a facilitator that supports teachers and should in turn enable students to become responsible for their own learning through the discovery of knowledge driven by a curious mind.  This journey opens the doors of opportunity. 

I believethat all children have the ability to learn. My passion is to help themdiscover their passions in order to connect what they are learning to what they love.

Contact:

bhooper@orsd.k12.ar.us

My role at Acorn Elementary is teaching 6th grade Literacy/Language Arts. My husband and I have worked as teachers in the Acorn school system for decades and our four children all graduated from Acorn. I have previously taught Kindergarten and Fourth Grade, and worked as a Reading Interventionist for upper elementary through high school students. I got my National Board Certification in 2013 and graduated with my Master's degree in Reading K-12 in 2015. 

I grew up in Vandervoort and attended Van-Cove School. Some of my hobbies are watching basketball and football, reading, baking, hiking, and bird watching.

Contact:

bjackson@orsd.k12.ar.us

• As the Acorn Elementary Secretary, I greet and assist students, parents, and visitors who come to the school office. I am here to help with every need, from enrollment and distributing important memos to answering phone calls and directing inquiries to the appropriate person. Assisting the principal, teachers, and other staff with any needs and organizing, maintaining, and documenting records and student files are essential to my role. I am dedicated and strive to do my best every day. My goal is to create a welcoming and organized environment that supports the success of our school community

About Me:

• As a 2002 Acorn Graduate, my blood runs Blue & Gold!

• My husband and I have been married for 22 years and have five children and one granddaughter. That we enjoy watching and cheering on in their sports and academics.

• I have been the Acorn Archery Coach for 3 years. Enjoy watching students love for the sport grow.

• I love to spend time with family and friends.

Contact:

bmoore@orsd.k12.ar.us

As the K-6 Alternative Education Teacher at our school, I am dedicated to providing a supportive and adaptive learning environment for students who benefit from an alternative educational approach. My role involves working closely with young learners, and parents to develop personalized educational plans that address their unique needs and learning styles.

Contact:

cwatkins@orsd.k12.ar.us

My name is Jasmine Johnson and I am a second grade teacher at Acorn Elementary. I have a husband named Zack and two sons named Benaiah and Lucas. I graduated from Acorn in 2014 then went on to get my bachelors degree from SAU in Elementary Education.

Contact:

jjohnson@orsd.k12.ar.us

 My job is to teach children the foundational skills necessary for their academic and social/emotional development. It is my mission to provide a classroom that is positive and inclusive so that children feel safe to be themselves and grow to their highest potential. I make it a priority to build relationships with each of my students so that I can learn their individual needs and provide them with the best education possible. 

I absolutely love it! 

About Me: I am an Acorn alumni, so serving a school district that has made a remarkable impact on who I am today has been such an incredible experience. I received my degree in education  from Southern Arkansas University. I enjoy spending time with my husband and our three kids. In my spare time I enjoy doing anything outside!

Contact:

jpowell@orsd.k12.ar.us

Contact:

jnewcomb@orsd.k12.ar.us

My name is Kendra Priddy, and I teach First Grade at Acorn Elementary. I am truly passionate about teaching our students! I strive to create a learning environment where students know they are loved and cared for as they develop a love for learning! 

About me:

* I am a 2005 Acorn Alumni

* This is my 14th year teaching

* I have a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction.

*I became a National Board Certified Teacher in 2017 and completed recertification for NBCT in 2022. 

*My husband Colby and I have been married for 13 years and have two sons; Axton and Gannon. 

* My spare time is spent with making memories with my family! 

Contact:

kpriddy@orsd.k12.ar.us

I am in my 18th year at Acorn. I teach 3rd grade ELA and Social Studies but have previously taught 1st and 2nd grades. I have a Master's degree and am National Board certified. I live in Mena with my husband and 2 boys.

Contact:

kmyers@orsd.k12.ar.us

My name is Kim Larucci, and I teach First Grade at Acorn Elementary. This is my second year of teaching First grade at AES after teaching preschool for 18 years on the Acorn campus. I have been married to John for 25 yrs. We have two wonderful children, Kiersten-20 who is a SR. in college and Regan-15, a 10 th grader at Acorn High School.

My hobbies include shopping for antiques at flea markets, working outside in my yard, going jeeping in Shady, and spending time with family and friends, wherever that may be.

Teaching has always been a passion of mine. I am so thankful I get to live out a dream of mine at Acorn Elementary.

Contact:

klarucci@orsd.k12.ar.us

I am Kim Posey, the Library Media Specialist for grades K-6 at AES. My primary responsibility is to provide a diverse collection of books for all students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Each homeroom class visits the library once a week, where we focus on developing library skills, complemented by an introduction to technology.

About Me:
This marks my 20th year in education. I began my teaching journey as a 4th Grade teacher at Vandervoort Elementary, which is now part of Cossatot River Schools. I spent five years teaching Kindergarten before pursuing further education to earn my Master's degree in Library Media & Technology. I have now been serving as a Librarian for 12 years.

I am married to Jake, and our son, Shawn, is currently in 9th grade at AHS. We share our home with four beloved pets who seem blissfully unaware that they are dogs. My interests include gardening, nurturing house plants, and thrift shopping for vintage items. I also have a passion for traveling and exploring new destinations. Ultimately, my long-term aspiration is to retire near a beach in Florida

Contact:

kposey@orsd.k12.ar.us

My role at ORSD is to provide direct therapy services to students enrolled at ORSD and referred through our District referral process. My therapeutic style is student-centered, with an emphasis on respect and empathy. My mission is to help our students gain more self-confidence, a stronger sense of identity or authenticity, greater success in establishing interpersonal relationships, and more trust in their own decisions. 

Services provided include:

• Individual Counseling

• Small Group Counseling

• Behavior Management Intervention

• Crisis Intervention and Referrals 

• Serve students K-12, Oden & Acorn campuses

About Me:

• ORSD has been a huge part of my life for a long time now. I am a 2006 Oden High School graduate working in the district for 10 years. I have a Master's Degree in School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health. I enjoy spending time with my husband and our four daughters. In my spare time, I enjoy trail running and training for the next big race.

CONTACT:

kledbetter@orsd.k12.ar.us

479-394-4833 ext. 306

I teach 4th grade math and science. This is my fifth year of teaching and fourth year at Acorn Elementary. I graduated from Cossatot River High school  in 2017 and I received my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in 2020. I enjoy spending my time with my husband and son.

Contact:

lroberts@orsd.k12.ar.us

As the Gifted and Talented Coordinator for ORSD my mission is to identify, develop, advocate for, and support the unique needs of gifted and talented students, ensuring they have the resources and opportunities to thrive. I am passionate about developing engaging educational programs that cater to the diverse abilities and interests of our gifted learners. I strive to create a challenging curriculum that stimulates their intellectual growth and keeps them motivated.

About Me:

• I am in my 16th year of education..

• I hold a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, with endorsements in Gifted and Talented, Special Education, Online Teaching, and Physical Education & Health.

• My additional roles at ORSD include: Advanced Placement Coordinator for Acorn High School, ORSD High School Quiz Bowl coach, substitute bus driver, and I also provide Special Education Services to elementary students.

• My husband, Jon, and I have 3 daughters.

• In my spare time I enjoy camping and spending quality time with my family.

Contact:

ldaniels@orsd.k12.ar.us 479-394-4833 EXT403

I enjoy reading, eating and binge watching true crime & Walking Dead.

Contact:

lpearson@orsd.k12.ar.us

I am a Special Education (SPED) paraprofessional who implements Response to Intervention (RTI) strategies and facilitates Telemedicine Speech services. I work with small groups to enhance segmenting, reading, and writing skills.

About Me:

I've been part of the ORSD family for 4 wonderful years. I'm currently working on my teaching degree. When I'm not busy with studies, I love spending quality time with my husband, and our three amazing children. And nothing beats relaxing with a good book and a comforting cup of coffee.

Contact:

michele.kindcaid@orsd.k12.ar.us

I teach Music and P.E. at Acorn Elementary.  Music is a huge part of my life and I hope to spark a love for music in each of my students, that will last a lifetime.  Music positively impacts children’s academic performance, develops social skills, and promotes creativity that is crucial to a child’s development.  No matter if I’m in the gaga pit with students or if we’re singing at the top of our lungs, I hope my students know that they are LOVED, and that we can do HARD things!  The most rewarding part of my position is building relationships and getting to be a small part of each child’s growth and success in life.

I graduated with my Bachelor of Science in Education from Liberty University.  In my spare time, you’ll find me somewhere with my family.  My husband, four kids, daughter in love, and grandson are my world! I enjoy camping, spending time on the beach, shopping, and cooking for my family!  

Contact:

mleonard@orsd.k12.ar.us

My role at the Acorn School Campus as the school resource officer is to ensure safety amongst both staff and students. I also help educate students with Constitutional and Arkansas state laws, as well as prepare students for life.

About Me:  I am an Acorn graduate of 2018, I am excited to expand my passion for law enforcement to the Acorn Campus and to help further educate our students and community. I enjoy spending time with my wife and taking rides in our jeep.

Contact info :

Wmcpherson@orsd.k12.ar.us   

(479)-394-5544 ext. 111

In my role at ORSD I work with students who struggle with reading.  I conduct testing to see if a student qualifies for an intervention.  If a student qualifies, an intervention is given to help the student.

As the Kathy Medford Preschool Director, I manage the day-to-day operations of the preschool and consult with the staff daily.

This is my 31st year in education.  I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren. 

Contact:

phackworth@orsd.k12.ar.us

As an elementary paraprofessional, my role includes assisting with instruction, supporting student learning, and managing classroom activities. I also support the K-6 Alternative Education classroom in delivering a tailored educational experience for students who thrive in a non-traditional learning environment. I work closely with students to provide individualized support, and help implement personalized educational plans and ensure that each child’s unique needs are met.

Contact:

rlane@orsd.k12.ar.us

My name is Rhonda Willborg and I teach 2nd Grade at Acorn Elementary. I am in my 21st year of teaching, with 20 of those years on the Acorn campus. I’ve been married to my husband Bobby for 25 years. We have two grown children and a daughter-in-law, all of which graduated from Acorn High School. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family.

Conact:

rwillborg@orsd.k12.ar.us

Hello! My name is Shauna Wagner. This is my 7th year as a Paraprofessional on the Acorn Campus here at ORSD. While I have had many roles while working at ORSD, this year I am blessed to be working in the Elementary doing small group reading interventions. It is a joy seeing those that I work with meet and pass goals we have made together. 

• My husband, Jacob, and I have been married for 22 years.

• We have four children: Jordan-Senior, Hayden-Junior, Summer-5th Grade, Abi-4th Grade

• I love to spend time with my family, read, watch movies, listen to music, and travel, but my all time favorite pastime is watching my kids play basketball.

Contact:

swagner@orsd.k12.ar.us

My name is Stacy Wilcher and I teach 3rd Grade Math and Science. I am currently in my sixth year of teaching, and this is my fourth year at Acorn! I graduated from Cossatot River High School in 2015. I attended the University of Arkansas where I got my Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education in 2019. I enjoy reading, binge watching my favorite shows, fishing and spending time with my family.

Contact:

swilcher@orsd.k12.ar.us

Acorn Elementary is where I started my career as a teacher 30+ years ago. I spent many years teaching language arts and GT. I am now the math and science teacher in 2nd grade. 

My certification is:

-K-6 Elementary, early childhood

-K-12 GT

I've been married to Nathan Howard for 35 year. We have one daughter, a son in law, and two precious grandsons. 

There is nothing I love more than spending time with them. 

Contact:

showard@orsd.k12.ar.us

My name is Tessa Chaney, and I get to teach Kindergarten. Setting a strong foundation for young learners is so important, and I find joy in helping them discover the power of reading. I’ve been married for five years to my high school sweetheart, Nathan, whom I met on this campus. We share one little boy, whose energy and joy bring us so much fulfillment. When I’m not in the classroom, I love spending time outdoors with my family, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Contact:

tchaney@orsd.k12.ar.us

As the Language Arts and Social Studies teacher for 5th Grade, I strive to foster a continued love for reading and learning in my students, as well as respect and kindness toward our school family and community. This is my 22nd year in education, my 12th here at Acorn Elementary, and I am proud to be a part of my students' learning journeys. 

I have been married to my husband for 24 years.  We have five children and one grandchild. We enjoy spending time with our family and friends, working with the youth at our church, and camping.  Some of my favorite hobbies are reading, playing/listening to music and drinking coffee.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” ― Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Contact:

tkesterson@orsd.k12.ar.us

   I teach Elementary PE and 5th grade Science. I have taught for 15 years. I have coached Volleyball, Track, Softball and Basketball previously. Education has always been a passion of mine. I was raised by a phenomenal science teacher (Mrs. Rusert) who made learning fun. This motivated me to do the same with my students. "Not all classrooms have four walls" is my favorite quote, and one that I live by as a teacher. 

       I love being outdoors! My family and I camp as often as possible! I also love to ride horses with my kids.  I have been married for 12 years, and have 2 great kids! We spend as much time as possible enjoying our beautiful state! 

        "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue" Proverbs 31:26

Contact:

thollin@orsd.k12.ar.us