News

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.

Just before Thanksgiving break, twelve members of Thaden’s Model United Nations Club traveled with sponsors Ms. King and Dr. Maher to the 60th Arkansas Model United Nations (AMUN) conference, held at the University of Central Arkansas in Conway. Head Delegate Brennan M. ‘29, Joelie K. ‘26, K L. ‘27, Stellen H. ‘28, and Anna S. ‘28 represented the Republic of Sierra Leone. Eden-Belle R. ‘27, Bella W. ‘28, Killian S. ‘27, Ethan S. ‘28, Lindley S. ‘27, Jesse C. ‘28, and Emma H. ‘29 represented the Arab Republic of Egypt.

After many hours of preparation, researching their assigned country and committee topics, students had to translate their knowledge and diplomatic skills into action. Eden-Belle said: “AMUN was a fascinating experience that pushed me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to see my capabilities! I spoke numerous times in front of roughly 100 delegates about the pressing matter of nuclear warfare, with the pressure of writing speeches on the spot or answering crafty questions. Although initially intimidating, this collaborative experience gave me insight not only into my skill set, but into its real-world application.”

Students worked with peers from high schools across the state to debate and propose solutions to issues as diverse as air pollution around the world, global wealth inequality, and human rights abuses from cyber attacks. Brennan said: “During the conference I debated and worked with a large group of people on solutions to air pollution. We had a productive session and learned about different viewpoints. Overall, my experience was amazing and I am looking forward to participating next year.”

The conference’s Secretariat recognized both Thaden delegations for Best Position Paper. Several students received individual recognition: Jesse C. received Outstanding Delegate for the Council of the Arab League; Brennan M. received Outstanding Delegate-Runner Up for the Novice General Assembly (GA) Committee; Emma H. received Outstanding Delegate-Honorable Mention for the Novice GA Committee; Anna S. received Outstanding Delegate-Honorable Mention for the Security Council; and Lindley S. received Outstanding Delegate-Honorable Mention for the Historical Security Council.

The club will travel to Chicago in February to compete in the University of Chicago’s Model UN Conference.