Parks Family Gift to Help Bring Arts Integrated Learning to Classrooms Across Arkansas

A gift to Arkansas A+ in honor of lifetime educator Peggy Parks will ensure more educators across Arkansas have access to the tools and training needed to create vibrant, student-centered classrooms.

The gift from Peggy's son, David, and his wife, Pam, will have a direct impact on educators and students across the state who are served by the wide variety of programs offered by Arkansas A+.

Housed in the College of Education and Health Professions, Arkansas A+ drives whole-school transformation through arts integration. The organization plans to use the donation to support operations and programs directly, strengthening its ability to serve current partner schools and teachers while expanding its reach.

"Through their generous support of nursing, teacher education, science and technology education, and now arts-integrated learning with Arkansas A+, the Parks family has consistently created opportunities that continue to impact students and communities across Arkansas," said Dean Kate Mamiseishvili. "Their longtime commitment reflects a belief in the power of education, and we couldn't be more grateful for their continued investment in our college's mission."

Peggy Parks devoted her life to education and service. After discovering her passion for teaching in a classroom of students, she went on to teach fourth grade for 30 years in Prairie Grove, shaping the lives of countless children. 

Her commitment extended far beyond the classroom, with decades of leadership in her church and service on boards that support education, the arts and her community.

"I think Mom would be very pleased to support a program that makes education more fun and interesting," said David and Pam Parks. "Her love of teaching and her love of the University of Arkansas made this donation an easy decision."

Arkansas A+ specializes in dynamic professional development programs that inspire creativity and strengthen teaching practices, as well as large-scale whole-school transformation programs that weave the arts into core academic subjects.

"We are honored to celebrate Peggy Parks and extend our deepest thanks to the Parks Family for their vision and generosity," said Arkansas A+ Executive Director Alyssa Wilson. "Because of this donation and others like it, the work of A+ continues to expand and support teachers across Arkansas."

Since 2022, Arkansas A+ has recruited 18 new member schools that are committed to the multi-year A+ transformation process. Collectively, they have worked with 38 schools since their inception in the early 2000s.

In 2025, A+ delivered 34 arts integration programs for 398 teachers across the state, a 36% increase from the previous year. This increase in programming helped expand the organization's reach to over 24,000 students, almost double its total in 2024.

Wilson said selfless gestures, like that of the Parks' family, have the power to change the lives of students and educators across Arkansas.

"Peggy Parks' legacy lives on through this act of generosity," she said. "It is a legacy rooted in care, belief in others and a deep understanding of the power of education to shape lives and communities."