GENTRY, AR — Gentry Public Schools welcomed Dr. Aaron Abbott to campus this week for a firsthand look at the district’s students, classrooms, and career-focused programs.
Abbott, who serves on the Arkansas State Board of Education, spent the morning touring multiple campuses and visiting a variety of programs, including ESL classes, Career and Technical Education (CTE) spaces, and a rehearsal with Gentry High School’s choir students. His visit coincided with CTE Month, offering an opportunity to highlight the district’s strong emphasis on preparing students for life after high school.
During the visit, Abbott also saw the Be Pro Be Proud truck on campus and met with student ambassadors to hear directly about their experiences.
“I'm grateful for the chance to spend time at Gentry Public Schools,” Abbott said. “From seeing the Be Pro Be Proud truck on campus, to visiting classrooms, to hearing directly from their outstanding student ambassadors, it was clear how intentional this community is about preparing students for life after high school.”
Abbott said he was especially impressed by the enthusiasm he observed among students exploring career pathways.
“I loved seeing kids genuinely excited about career pathways and future opportunities,” he said. “That kind of energy does not happen by accident. It reflects strong leadership, committed educators, and a culture that believes in its students.”
In addition to his service on the State Board of Education, Abbott works as an Account Manager and Consultant at Halda, partnering with colleges and universities nationwide to strengthen student recruitment and student success initiatives.
District leaders expressed appreciation for Abbott’s visit and his willingness to spend time in local schools, noting that opportunities for state leaders to see classrooms and students firsthand are invaluable.
"We really enjoyed Dr. Abbott's visit and are thankful for his interest in our district and the innovative things we are doing in Gentry," Gentry Superintendent Dr. Tyler Broyles said. "Dr. Abbott and Adrienne Woods, the Chair of the State Board, do an outstanding job of taking the perspectives of Northwest Arkansas with them to Little Rock, and we appreciate their leadership."
“It was a great visit,” Abbott added, “and it is easy to see why Gentry continues to be the choice for so many families.”