Reclaiming Hope

NEA Today, Mar 2005 by Simon, Matt

For 32 years, Helen Hollowayput all her heart and energy into teaching social studies to middle schoolers. It didn't go unnoticed.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES of the University of Central Arkansas recently endowed a $100,000 scholarship in Holloway's name to honor her commitment to education.

It was a fitting tribute to an educator who never stopped giving to the residents of De Vails Bluff, Arkansas, once she left the classroom. Eight years ago, Holloway founded her own after-school tutoring program at a local church, where she tutors between 15 and 22 students a year in language arts and social studies.

"The program used to be just me and the kids, but we're expanding," says Holloway. Just last year, she enlisted two other tutors, including her husband, Don, a former math teacher.

If that wasn't enough, Holloway also logs many hours volunteering at the Prairie County Hope Chest, which provides clothing and transportation to help De Vails Bluff residents moving from welfare to work. And she's the president of the Prairie County Retired Teachers Association, as well as a member of the Arkansas Education Association-Retired Advisory Board.

So does she ever plan to take time off for herself? "Absolutely," she insists. "I might use that extra time to do some traveling."

But she has no plans to give up her volunteering.

"I love it too much," Holloway says. "My father taught me to leave the world a better place than I found it, and I've believed that all my life."

-MATT SIMON

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