Denisa Douthit brings a variety of experience to her new role as assistant principal at Noel Elementary School.
She started her career as a substitute teacher in Gravette, Ark., and then she worked as a migrant clerk, which is a federally-funded position in which she worked with children of migrant workers. Then she worked as a kindergarten aide.
In 2001 she went back to school and earned her degree in elementary education at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla. Then she taught third grade for 10 years at Gravette. After that, she earned her master's degree in educational leadership at Arkansas State University.
Next, she became director of the high school alternative program for three years at Gravette. Then she left Gravette and was hired by McDonald County as principal of Mustang Academy for a year. Finally, she got the job at Noel Elementary.
Asked why she wanted to be an administrator, she said, "I just wanted to make a bigger impact. I felt like I made an impact in my classroom, and I wanted to expand that. I felt the best way to do that was to become a leader of leaders."
She commented on what she enjoys about education.
"I love the kids. I love to get them enthusiastic about school. I, personally, loved school my whole life. I feel I bring some enthusiasm to the building," she said.
She said she likes that the kids can know someone cares about them.
Douthit grew up in Fayetteville and graduated from Fayetteville High School. She has been married 26 years to her husband, Ken, and they have two sons and a daughter and three grandchildren. They own log cabin rentals and the Arthur Murray Motel in Noel.
Her philosophy on education is, "Every child can learn. Every child can grow. Every child deserves the best we can give," she said.
She continued, "I think students today have so many outside factors that influence their lives, and so school is the safe haven where they can come and be loved and cared for and educated. Sometimes we're the only calm in the chaos."
She said her year is going wonderfully so far.
"I was nervous about getting back to the younger kids after being in high school the last four years," she said, but she said it has given her an advantage to have seen the whole spectrum.
"I believe kids know when someone loves and cares for them, and I believe that's what I bring to the table," she said.
She added, "If you can make school a happy place and a place they want to be, they're going to want to continue that education and finish what they started."
Douthit said she plans to get her education specialist degree in curriculum and instruction. Her goal is to be a building level principal, ideally in Noel.
General News on 10/18/2018