TASD announces awards

Sponsor

– Mrs. Anne Formby, a math teacher and math department chair at Arkansas High School, was recently named as an Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalist. The Arkansas
Department of Education (ADE) announced the fourteen state finalist in a press release issued on Tuesday, August 15.

Governor Asa Hutchinson and ADE Commissioner Johnny Key, along with family, friends, and fellow educators, honored the fourteen finalists on August 30, at 9:00 a.m. at the Arkansas State Capitol.

As a regional finalists, Mrs. Formby will receive a cash award in the amount of $1,000.
After graduating from Arkansas High School in 1984, Anne went on to complete her Bachelor of Science – Mathematics in 1988 at the University of Notre Dame and later received a Master of Science in Education – Mathematics from Henderson State University.

“Anne was among fourteen of the state’s finest educators as she was celebrated at
the 2018 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Recognition Event. The Texarkana
Arkansas School District is proud that she is a part of the Razorback Family,”
commented Superintendent Dr. Becky Kesler.

 

The Lifetime Razorback Award was created to recognize an outstanding individual and fellow Razorback who exemplifies the true spirit of being a Razorback through relentless dedication, lifetime support, and unwavering service to our District.

This individual has spent his/her life upholding our Razorback traditions, striving for Razorback success, and has reached milestones with a selfless contributions in support of
our Razorback schools and students.

This person’s love and devotion of our District is never faltering, is continually
perpetuated by our achievements, and is absolutely priceless to our Razorback
family.

This year’s recipient was Mrs. Marilyn French. Prior to the mandatory integration in 1969, Mrs. French attended Booker T. Washington High School.

During her time at Washington, she was a majorette in the band and played the clarinet. She joined the Razorback family during her sophomore year in 1970 – Mrs. French is a proud 1973 graduate of Arkansas High School. In 1976, she received her Bachelor of Science in English and Counseling from East Texas State University and later attended the University of Houston – Clear Lake, where she obtained a Master of Education in Personnel Guidance and Counseling.

Mrs. French is a true Razorback – twenty-one of her thirty-six years in education
were spent in TASD. After returning to Texarkana in 1994, Mrs. French began her counseling position in the Texarkana Arkansas School District where she served as a counselor at all grade levels.

Marilyn married T.W. French in 1976. They have a daughter Tiffany and two sons Trey and Tony – all three children are graduates of Arkansas High School. She has one grandson Zaylon who is 12 years old.

Mrs. French takes pride in participating in the mission’s ministry at Lonoke Baptist Church where she has served for 35 years. “Receiving the Lifetime Razorback Award is surreal. I volunteer and help out in the community because it is something I love to do, never expecting anything in return,” said French. “I feel extremely grateful and I feel blessed to have shared this honor with family and friends.

In addition to volunteering at her church, Mrs. French enjoys supporting the Texarkana Literacy Council, Classroom Teachers Association, National Education Association, Arkansas School Counselor’s Association, All God’s Children Collectors Club, Phi Delta Kappa Teacher Sorority, Texas A&M Commerce Alumni Association, and the Panhellenic Council.

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