Southside teacher surprised with national award

Southside, Arkansas – When a teacher in Northeast Arkansas was given the Milken Educator Award, it was the surprise of a lifetime.

Derek Tharp, a fifth-grade math teacher at Southside Middle School, was given the honor on Thursday, January 9.

The staff was unaware that the school was holding an assembly at the Southside Junior High gym, but when Tharp’s name was called, the gym erupted in cheers.

Getting this medal is an honor, Tharp stated.

Tharp described his feelings as “overwhelmed, shocked, disbelief, truly honored.” “I see the work that my colleagues and I know that countless other educators across the state and nation do every day, and I don’t feel like I deserve something like this.”

One national honor that helps honor educators across the country for their excellence and commitment to their pupils is the Milken Educator Award. Tharp received a $25,000 award.

Tharp received the award from Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Olivia, who was accompanied by representatives from the Milken Family Foundation.

Olivia remarked, “We’re really excited about any opportunity we can take to celebrate, elevate, and thank our teachers for their dedication and passion for improving student learning.”

Tharp has been a teacher for ten years. His mother is a former educator. Adam and Courtney Prince, his sister and brother-in-law, are also Southside teachers.

“He is a true team player, not a self-thinker or selfish at all, and I have never seen someone accept an award with such humility,” Aaron remarked. “He dedicates his entire being to his students, his craft, and his family, so his acceptance of that award is merely a reflection of who he is.”

According to Tharp, service was the best use of the funds.

“I want to return that to the people I work with.” Every single person I deal with and teach with every day, who sees the youngsters in this community in their daily lives, deserves a piece of that, Tharp said.

Aaron remarked, “I keep thinking about a verse in the Bible that says greater is he who is in me than you are in the world, and Derek Tharp is a perfect example of that.”

Everyone who attended today’s ceremony, including Governor Sanders, congratulated Tharp on receiving this esteemed honor.

According to Tharp, he will keep instructing and mentoring his students.