Walker Receives STEM Designation
Elementary school receives distinctive recognition
Walker Elementary School has earned the STEM Model School designation from the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"We are overwhelmingly proud of the hard work this designation represents from our students, staff and the Northwest Arkansas community," said Walker Principal Lynn Ryan. "Through meaningful partnerships with nearly 60 local businesses, individuals, organizations and other Springdale schools, students have gained authentic opportunities to apply STEM skills to real-world experiences and see the impact of their learning beyond the classroom."
Walker is one of three Springdale schools to officially received the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math designation and one of just 15 Arkansas public schools to earn the title, according to the DESE website.
Shaw Elementary School and Young Elementary School also earned the designation in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Ryan said transitioning into an intentional STEM environment requires a total shift in how students are taught, moving away from passive learning and leaning heavily into project-based, hands-on exploration.
"That transformation takes teamwork. It takes visionary leadership on the ground, and we are deeply grateful to Mrs. Bethany Cebuhar, our STEM and GT teacher," she said. "Her hard work, expertise and dedication provided the critical training and ongoing support our staff needed to make this shift happen."
It's been inspiring to watch the Walker staff embrace this challenge under Cebuhar's guidance and to see students rise to meet it, Ryan said.
"Earning state recognition for STEM excellence is a major milestone for our school, but the true reward is walking our halls and seeing bright, curious minds put STEM into practice — collaborating, thinking critically, communicating boldly and driving innovation through creativity every day.," she said.
The AR STEM Model Program connects the Arkansas's STEM education system to Arkansas careers and career training opportunities, according to the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education website. The program is based on the Federal STEM Vision to build strong foundations in STEM literacy, increase STEM education and prepare students for the future STEM workforce.
The goals of the AR STEM Model Program include:
• Increase STEM Opportunities for Arkansas Students
• Recognize Model STEM Schools across the State
• Develop and Strengthen Partnerships with Business, Industry, and Community
• Support Growth and Sustainability of the AR STEM Teacher Pipeline
STEM education provides opportunities for students to engage in authentic experiences in the classroom that are linked to community, occupations and the global world so all Arkansas students become STEM literate in their PreK-12 journey towards college and career readiness, according to the website.
Ryan expressed a heartfelt thank you to Michele Snyder at the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and Jenny Gammill with the Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.
"Their support, guidance, and belief in our school were instrumental in giving us the opportunity to pursue and earn this prestigious designation," Ryan said. "We are also incredibly grateful to the staff at Young Elementary and Shaw Elementary for their mentorship, encouragement, and support throughout this journey."
She emphasized that while the Model STEM recognition marks a huge milestone, it's just the beginning for Walker.
"Building a culture of innovation is an ongoing journey," Ryan said. "Thanks to the strong foundation laid by the Walker team and the unwavering support of our families and community, we are building a legacy where our students are equipped to lead, solve real-world problems, and shape the future."
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