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We’re excited to share that Dr. Rich Maher, History and Social Sciences faculty member, was named a 2026 Impact Educator semifinalist by the Morehead-Cain Foundation—a national recognition honoring educators who have made a meaningful difference in students’ lives.

The Impact Educator initiative highlights teachers and mentors who are nominated by high school seniors advancing in the Morehead-Cain Scholarship process. Students can choose to recognize the educators who challenged them, supported them, and helped shape who they are becoming. This year’s group of semi-finalists includes 503 educators from across the country and around the world.

This recognition reflects what makes Dr. Maher and Thaden teachers so special; educators who challenge students academically while also encouraging curiosity, confidence, and a sense of purpose beyond the classroom. 

We’re grateful for the care, intention, and education that Rich brings to his students every day, and we’re proud to celebrate this well-earned recognition! 

Autumn N. ’28 was selected to collaborate with Crayola on an educational video for the SEEK Evidence series, marking the second time a Thaden student has been chosen for this national collaboration. As part of the project, Autumn created a video featuring her drawing Abundantly Fulfilled, guiding viewers through close observation and discussion of her artwork.

The SEEK Evidence learning routine invites students to explore art by asking questions such as: What do you see? Why do you say that? What is the evidence? These prompts encourage careful looking, conversation, and critical thinking.

Autumn’s video has been shared on Crayola's Youtube page to help students engage more deeply with works of art. In addition to this collaboration, Autumn also earned a Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Gold Key for Abundantly Fulfilled.

Congratulations to Autumn on this exciting accomplishment! 

Watch the video here.

Shelly O’Dell, Assistant Head of Middle School and Music Faculty, recently earned a Certificate in School Management and Leadership by completing coursework through a partnership between the Harvard Graduate School of Education and Harvard Business School Online. The program was divided into four sections: Leading Learning, Leading Change, Leading Strategy and Innovation, and Leading People. Participants in the course included school leaders and administrators from across the globe.

As a school community, we value continuing education as an essential part of professional growth, knowing that when educators continue to learn, our entire school community benefits. Shelly shares, “I loved diving into the coursework, applying my learning directly to my work at Thaden, and connecting with a myriad of school leaders in a variety of educational settings. It stretched my thinking and gave me fresh perspectives and tools to support our students, faculty, and community.” 

Before winter break, a group of Thaden Grade 8 students—Ben F., Ezra W., Britain M., Annie A., and Natalie C.—had the opportunity to attend a Youth Town Hall with former President Barack Obama at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. The event invited students from across Arkansas to engage in conversation about leadership, civic responsibility, and the challenges facing their generation.

Students left the experience with powerful insights. Natalie C. reflected that President Obama shared how leadership is about empowering others and helping them see a path forward. Annie A. was struck by his advice to think less about what you want to be and more about the problems you hope to solve—a message that resonated deeply with the group.

Following the event, students were invited to respond to the prompt, “What does independence mean to you?” Selected student responses from across the state will be featured in an upcoming art installation as part of the American 250: Common Threads exhibit at Crystal Bridges. Thaden students were selected through a blind application process and chosen by a review committee.

This experience offered students a meaningful opportunity to reflect on leadership, independence, and civic engagement—lessons that extend well beyond the classroom and into the world they are helping to shape.