School for Advanced Studies Wins 2025 Trailblazer Award at Spark Symposium
Leaders from the School for Advanced Studies recently attended the 2025 Spark Symposium for Charter Schools in Little Rock, hosted by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center. During the event, the School for Advanced Studies was honored with the Trailblazer Award. Associate Head of School Aaron Pellowski accepted the award on behalf of the entire […]
What’s a Hellbender, Anyway? Fascinating Facts About the SAS Mascot
Meet the School for Advanced Studies Northwest Arkansas mascot, the Ozark hellbender! The hellbender is a large, aquatic salamander native to the Arkansas region. Learn more about this unique mascot! The Ozark hellbender is one of a kind The Ozark hellbender is a subspecies of the Northern American hellbender—one of only three species of giant […]
Introducing Alex Kihn: PE Teacher, Head Basketball Coach, Career Development
Welcome Alex Kihn! Alex Kihn is a native of Rogers!. He graduated from Heritage High School where he was a two-time varsity letterman in basketball, a three-time letterman in tennis, and an Eagle Scout. He has amassed 7 years of coaching experience at every level of the game. His passion for coaching and teaching started […]
Introducing Samara Camyn: Art Teacher
Welcome Samara Camyn! Samara Camyn is a practicing artist based in Northwest Arkansas. She has a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and has achieved academic excellence in studio art from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. With a strong foundation in graphic design and studio art, Samara has shared her knowledge and passion for […]
Introducing John McGowan: History Teacher
Welcome John McGowan! Mr. John McGowan has a passion for making History engaging and thought provoking for students. John hails from Fayetteville and is a graduate of the University of Tulsa. He also earned a Masters in the Art of Teaching at the University of Central Arkansas. With his love of teaching history, John grew […]
Introducing Ryan Trickey: Music and Performing Arts Teacher
Welcome Ryan Trickey! Met Ryan Trickey! A graduate of the University of Arkansas, Ryan is an accomplished Middle and High School Music teacher. He spent two years teaching K-12 Music, Band, and Choir in Kingston, Arkansas before spending the last six years as Band Director at Elkins High School and Elkins Middle School. In those […]
Introducing Elizabeth Curington: Library Media Specialist and English Teacher.
Welcome Elizabeth Curington! Ms. Curington has been an English teacher in the Rogers Public Schools for over 20 years. Ms. Curington has taught 7th, 8th, and 9th grades. Her motto is “Every kid is a reader.” They just might not have found the right book –yet! Ms. Curington spent her childhood exploring the world through […]
Introducing Raymond Herndon: Math, Music and Computer Science Teacher
We are excited to welcome Raymond Herndon to the School for Advanced Studies! Raymond’s journey in education spans working with preschoolers to high school students. He has taught a wide array of subjects including algebra, geometry, general and exploratory science, web design, game design, art, music, chess, and coached a variety of sports. With his […]
Introducing Kate Cochran: English Teacher
Kate has been an educator in Northwest Arkansas since 2013. After growing up in upstate New York, in a small town called Unadilla, her family moved to Arkansas in 2000, and Kate enrolled at the University of Arkansas after high school graduation. While studying in Fayetteville, Kate met her husband, Thomas, who hails from Louisiana. […]
Introducing Dr. Rod Wittenberg: Biology Teacher
A book titled Snakes of the World obtained at a 1st grade book fair ignited my lifelong fascination for science and herpetology. I earned graduate degrees in biology allowed me to study and write about the evolution and ecology of venomous snakes. These endeavors took me to Ethiopia in search of the poorly known venomous […]
