Governor’s Distinguished Scholarships - Students who meet the following minimum eligibility criteria are eligible to be named Governor’s Distinguished Scholars: either a 32 composite score on a single ACT or 1410 combined math and critical reasoning score on a single SAT AND either a 3.50 academic grade point average or selection as a National Achievement Finalist or National Merit Finalist. If funding allows, up to 375 Governor’s Distinguished Scholars may be named. The Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship will pay up to $10,000 per year for tuition, mandatory fees, room and board.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April Hagans, Principal of Clinton Elementary School in the Clinton School District, was recently named the Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) Principal of the Year. Mr. Mike Mertens, AAEA Assistant Executive Director, and Mr. Stacy DeFoor, AAESP President, presented Ms. Hagans with the award during a school board meeting on April 19, 2020.
This award is given each year to an Arkansas elementary level principal who has succeeded in providing high-quality learning opportunities for students and has been acknowledged by peers for exemplary contribution to the profession.
Ms. Hagans is in her 5th year as principal in the Clinton School District. April helped establish Clinton Elementary School as a school focused on "ensuring high levels of learning for all," merging two schools into one school with a unified mission. She oversaw the implementation of Professional Learning Communities collaborating around student learning and united by a common vision and collective commitments. Ms. Hagans also led the whole school implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports to create a culture of shared expectations that celebrates and reinforces positive student behavior.
April is dedicated to the education of Arkansas students and very deserving of this award as evidenced in the following comments:
"Besides being a joy to work with, April is a take-charge person who is able to present creative ideas and communicate the benefits. .. She showed exceptional leadership by leading the application process for the district for the state PLC Cohort Project. April also has successfully established a positive culture in which her love for students is viewable as the Principal of Clinton Elementary School. "— Jay Chalk, Superintendent of Clinton Public Schools
"Ms. Hagans is extremely knowledgeable in the field of elementary education. She is a continuous learner and is always researching the emerging trends in education to evaluate the potential impact they may have on the students in her building. She is unafraid to be an early adopter of a program if she feels it will benefit her students. " 
Michael Wells, Principal at Clinton Junior High School
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