6 Inducted Into Hope Educators Hall of Fame

The Hope Public Schools held an Educator’s Hall of Fame at First National Bank of Tom Bean on Friday. Dr Crossley started by thanking everyone for being there.

The first person honored was Mr. Jack Watkins who taught Agriculture in the schools for many years. The family was asked to stand up and were applauded by the rest of the room.

Mr. Watkins spoke noting it was an honor and because of Mr. Troy Buck he taught for 25 years. He also set up the Spring Hill Agriculture program and taught there for years. Teachers he taught with included Mr. Hezekiah Smith, Dr. Roy Turner, and Mrs. Judy Garrett.

Dr. Crossley mentioned that the district, while not getting the millage had had private donors chip in for the upgrades keeping the legacy alive.

Mrs. Dora Caldwell was the next person to be honored. The Caldwell family also stood and were applauded. Her daughter spoke in appreciation of the honor and said there is always a story and there is a look she had.   Caldwell’s son wasn’t allowed to have her as a teacher but said she inspired him with great literature which has served him in his career in New York. He also joked that he had learned an aversion to math from her. He said there was a great pleasure in seeing those who were her students and now are her friends .  Sharon Caldwell said she had gotten to hear tremendous stories.

Mrs. Just Garrett was the next person to be honored. She was said to be sweet, patient, knowledgeable, funny and a legacy-builder.  Mrs. Garrett said it was just something she did for years. She said she learned so much from her students.  Mrs. Garrett said she was fortunate to do what she loved and that she loved her students.  Her daughter said she always had animals and her peers told her to tell her mom to take it easy.

The next person to be honored was Mr. Hezekiah Smith. He was a strong disciplinarian who used uncanny wisdom in teaching practical skills. His son said his dad was over the agricultural department at Yerger and moved over to Hope High School when the schools consolidated. Mr. Buck handed the gavel over to Mr. Smith stating he was the senior there. Daughter Sharon Smith Holly said her mother and father were smiling as they didn’t expect to receive honors. She said he was protective of all of them and was a proud man. He didn’t want to receive more than he gave.  Mr. Smith’s son said his father was committed to education and the transition of merging the schools was pretty smooth. Hope was truly exceptional. He said his dad’s efforts had paid off as all of the children have advanced degrees.

The next person to be honored was Mrs. Kathryn Dickinson. She spent 30 years as a teacher and administrator.  After trying to do something else, she returned home and was a secretary at Guernsey. She watched the teachers and said “if they can do that so can I”. Dickinson studied to be a teacher and rose in the ranks, becoming an administrator over time.  Dickinson said she has a large family and explained why they weren’t there with her at the event. She said she loves her family, love Hope and love the school district.  Sister Carlene,  the baby of the family, stated she knows Dickinson loves the community. She came to Hope when it consolidated with Guernsey. She gives to the school and is quite dedicated.  Dickinson was spoken of as one of the kindest people with the most loving heart and was thanked for the loving person she is. Another person said she was grateful for the dedication to every student.  Dr. Crossley said when he was hired as the superintendent, Dickinson told him to keep kids first. His immediate reaction was that she didn’t like him but in meeting her said she radiated passion and joy. Hope reminds him of his hometown and said that it wouldn’t be that way without the people who love you.  Dickinson wears so many hats. She became a board member because of her love of the students and district. Dickinson also has a passion for the Razorbacks.

The last person to be honored was Dr. Roy Turner. He spent more than 30 years striving to the educate the students. He was one of the districts most loved and respected educators. He passed away suddenly much too young.  When Dr. Crossley was hired, Dr. Turner showed him around every nook and cranny of the school and poured his heart out about his 30 years of education and what he wanted for the community and for the students. He told Dr. Crossley about his appreciation about the conversation they were had. Dr. Crossley stated, “That man was gold – he made me a better person.”  A former student said Dr. Turner inspired and motivated them. He inspired them to go to college. He also stated that he became known as the Volkswagen man. To this day he is still inspiring them.  One of the family members said as a girl growing up in Fulton among guys that he was protective but could be talked to. He told her, “You ain’t nothing”, reminding her to stay humble and remember why she was doing it.

Dr. Turner was said to be a man of honor. Whatever he did and wherever he went he did it in a way that people honored him. If he was there today the event wouldn’t end until 5 as he knew how to talk. He could say something off the top of his head. He loved his students, loved his staff and loved his family.  Mrs Dickinson said she loved going into his classroom and observing lessons. He was a wonderful teacher.  He not only loved the kids, he loved his faculty. The kids were more excited about him than they were about having her as a teacher. They would talk for hours because teaching is tough. He was a wonderful man and a wonderful leader.  The meeting ended with announcements of it being National Coaches Day, the Yerger Museum being open and announcements about the game and Magnet party beforehand. There were free tickets to the game for honorees.