Our Faculty

Mr. Higginbotham began teaching music at Forest Park in 2018. He is certified in the Orff-Schulwerk Method and holds a B.A. in Music from the University of Arkansas, Little Rock and a Master's in Jazz Studies from the University of Arkansas, Monticello. He completed graduate level study in World Music Drumming and is a professional bass player and singer.

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Mr. Higginbotham's Favorite Things:

Birthday: April 24

Drink of Choice: Lemonade

Place to Eat: Senor Tequila

Monogram Initials: D.B.H.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Bueno, Rx Bar, Chocolate Chip Cookies

Colors: Turquoise

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Dillards

Hobbies & Interests: Play Music, Tai Chi, Swim, Run, the Park with Family, Cheering on the K.C. Royals

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Ms. Cook has been teaching at Forest Park since 2009. She studied Literature and Art at the University of Mississippi and attended graduate school at the University of Arkansas. She began her career teaching middle and high school English before transitioning to Art. She says she feels blessed to teach something that she loves and to spend time every day with her favorite artists, children.

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Mr. Finney began teaching at Forest Park in 2008 and has over two decades of experience in education. He received his B.A. in History from Lyon College, and he holds a  Master's in Gifted in Talented K-12 Education from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. He holds a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certification, Middle Childhood Generalist. In 2008 Mr. Finney received the​ Arkansans for Gifted and Talented Education (AGATE) Graduate Curriculum Award.

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Mr. Finney's Favorite Things:

Birthday: June 9

Drink of Choice: Coke Zero

Place to Eat: Casa Manana

Monogram Initials: J.F.D.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Mixed Nuts

Colors: Orange

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Target

Hobbies & Interests: Reading,Travel

Lunch Order: Sonic#1 with Fries and Arnold Palmer to Drink

Coach Smith is a fan favorite among all the Forest Park Rangers! He holds a

Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and Masters of the Arts in Teaching from the University of Arkansas Monticello. Coach Smith is Certified in Health and Physical Education P-6, 7-12 and is a Member of AAPERD (American Alliance for Physical Education Recreation and Dance). He is also a Veteran and served in the United States Army for eight years, made two tours of Iraq, and reached the rank of Sergeant with duties that included Squad Leader and Assistant Convoy Commander.

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Coach Smith's Favorite Things:

Birthday: November 8

Drink of Choice: Water

Place to Eat: U.S. Pizza

Monogram Initials: L.C.S. 

Sweet Treat/Snack: Peanut Butter M&M’s

Colors: Blue

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Academy Sports 

Hobbies & Interests: Playing the Guitar & Working Out

Lunch Order: Chicken Nuggets & Fries

Ms. Graves began at Forest Park in 2010 and has over two decades of teaching experience. She holds a B.S. in Education from Southern Arkansas University and a Master's in Library Science from the University of Central Arkansas. She says, "I love being the Forest Park Library Media Specialist! It is a dream job, and when I'm spending time with my bookworms, it doesn't feel like a job at all!"

Ms. Gray began teaching at Forest Park in 2009. She earned her B.A. from Philander Smith College and her Master's in Guidance and Counseling from  Trevecca Nazarene University.

Ms. Nehus began teaching at Forest Park in 2002. She holds a B.S. Occupational Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas and has more than three decades of experience in pediatrics.

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Ms. Nehus' Favorite Things:

Birthday: November 14

Drink of Choice: Unsweet Tea, Mocha

Place to Eat: New Places (No Mexican)

Monogram Initials: S.A.N.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Peanuts, Chocolate

Colors: Blue & Green

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Target

Hobbies & Interests: Hike, Bike, Garden

Lunch Order: Salads

Ms. Parker began teaching at Forest Park in 2020. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Education & Middle School Social Studies and her Masters of Educational Leadership with an Endorsement in Dyslexia from the University of Central Arkansas. She received her designation as an Education Specialist in Reading from Arkansas State University. She is trained in Orton-Gillingham, Wilson Reading System, and the Barton - Reading & Spelling System.

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Ms. Parker's Favorite Things:

Birthday: March 28

Drink of Choice: Non-Sweet Tea

Place to Eat: Yaya's, Burges, Zaza's

Monogram Initials: T.S.P.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Peanut M&Ms, Mixed Nuts

Colors: Red & Black 

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Tulips

Hobbies & Interests: Reading, Going to the Lake, Cheering on the Razorbacks

Ms. McKay has over two decades of teaching experience. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Master's in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She is also Orton-Gillingham trained. Ms. McKay was named the Little Rock School District Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006.

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Ms. McKay's Favorite Things:

Birthday: December 27

Drink of Choice: Coffee

Place to Eat: Tazikis

Monogram Initials: .K.M.K.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Dark Chocolate 

Colors: Pink, Blue 

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Anthropology

Hobbies & Interests: Reading, Shopping, Decorating 

Lunch Order: Large Unsweetened Tea, Chicken Nuggets

Ms. Sterling began teaching at Forest Park in 2017.

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Ms. Sterling's Favorite Things:

Birthday: January 15

Drink of Choice: Sparkling or Flavored water

Place to Eat: Chick fil-A

Monogram Initials: D.E.S.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Milk chocolate

Colors: Pink

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Target

Hobbies & Interests: Tennis

Lunch Order: 3 Strip Meal with Fries and Diet Lemonade (Chick fill-A)

Ms. Turner began teaching at Forest Park in 2022.

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Ms. Turner's Favorite Things:

Birthday: August 25

Drink of Choice: Diet Coke with Lime

Place to Eat: Yaya's, Izzy's, Tazikis, Chick fil-A 

Monogram Initials: P.T.M.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Sweet - Anything Chocolate, Snack: Hummus, White Cheddar Popcorn, Flavor Blasted Goldfish

Colors: Pink!

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Target, Amazon

Hobbies & Interests: Exercising, DIY Projects, Cooking

Lunch Order: Chick fil-A: 8 count Grilled Nugget Meal with a side of Pickles and Honey Roasted BBQ Sauce with a Coke Zero

Mr. Hansen graduated from Hendrix College and in addition to working as a Para-Professional he oversees Coding and Chess Club at Forest Park. 

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Ms. Rouse has served as a Para-Professional at Forest Park for many years. Her kind demeanor and patience working with students who need 1:1 and small group support throughout the day is extremely helpful. She also assists with lunch and recess. We are beyond fortunate to have her at our school.

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Ms. Rouse's Favorite Things:

Birthday: February 5

Drink of Choice: Lemonade

Place to Eat: Mighty Crab

Monogram Initials: V.R.J.

Sweet Treat/Snack: Ghirardelli Sea Salt Caramel and Milk Chocolate 

Colors: Purple and Royal blue

Favorite Place to Shop/ Gift Cards: Amazon

Hobbies & Interests: Shopping, Interior Decorating, Floral Designing

Lunch Order: Chicken Strips or Nuggets, Fries & Lemonade (Chick fil-A)

Mr. Farr has been at Forest Park for several years as a para-professional. He is also an avid runner and Track Coach. He  oversees lunch and recess and assists in classrooms throughout the day. We are so lucky to have him on staff.

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Birthday: September 28

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