Melissa Fink, who has served at Jones Elementary since 2004, has been named Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Curriculum and Instruction. She is replacing Maribel Childress who was named Superintendent of the Gravette School District.
“I want to thank Dr. (Superintendent Jim) Rollins, the administrative team and the school board for this awesome opportunity I’ve been given to serve our district. Springdale has always been my home. It raised me as a student and continues to raise me as an educator. I’m very grateful I’ll be able to give back to the district that has given me so much.”
Fink is a graduate of Springdale High School. In fact, she attended Springdale Schools from kindergarten through high school. Her oldest daughter is graduating from Springdale High this year. She earned an undergraduate degree in science and education from the University of Arkansas before receiving a master’s in education from the UA.
After finishing at the UA, Fink taught five years at Parson Hills Elementary where Childress was the principal. In 2004 she was hired as assistant principal at Jones Elementary. She was elevated to principal in 2007.
“Mrs. Fink is widely respected within the Springdale School District as well as at the state and national levels for her efforts to personalize learning for all children,” said Dr. Rollins. “Her ‘Jones University’ community education program is a model for patron engagement and she has demonstrated exceptional leadership in serving the needs of the whole child.
“Mrs. Fink is a trusted member of the Springdale educational team and all concerned feel free to go to her and share ideas for developing processes for addressing the challenging issues our district is facing. She is a natural for the role of Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Curriculum and Instruction.”
Fink is currently working on obtaining credentials for the superintendent’s certificate and upon completion will begin work immediately on earning her doctoral degree in educational administration, which she plans to complete in December, 2022. Her new position is effective July 1.