University of Arkansas Alumnus to Lead National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

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Gary Stark

Gary Stark, who received a Doctor of Education from the University of Arkansas in 2006, has been named president and chief executive officer of the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, based in Santa Monica, Calif.  

In a news release Monday, Lowell Milken, chairman of the institute and founder of its TAP program, announced Stark's appointment by the institute's board of directors. Stark was formerly the institute's chief operating officer for two years and has served in senior management roles since 2001, when he was appointed executive director of Arkansas TAP.

TAP: The System for Teacher and Student Advancement, formerly the Teacher Advancement Program, is a comprehensive, research-driven reform model that provides career advancement, continuous on-site professional development, a transparent teacher-accountability system and differentiated pay for teachers based on their performance in the classroom and the performance of their students, according to the news release.

Stark assisted in developing some of the TAP pilot sites around the country and later joined the Milken Family Foundation as vice president of program development, the news release said. He also has experience as a building-level principal, assistant principal and a classroom teacher. His last principalship was at Helen Tyson Middle School in Springdale. During Stark’s tenure from 1997 to 2001, Tyson was selected as the state’s outstanding middle-level program. In 2001, he earned the prestigious Milken Educator Award for his accomplishments.

Stark is past board member of the Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators and past president of the Arkansas Association of Middle Level Administrators.