Our Faculty
Front Office and Support Staff
Theresa Courtney-Ketcher
Principal
Ms. Ketcher has over four decades of experience in education and has spent more than 20 years at Forest Park. She earned her B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education K-12 at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, received her M.S. in Education with Certification of Administration plus 18 hours in Curriculum Supervision from the University of Central Arkansas, and completed graduate course work on reading instruction through the University of Kansas. She also received certification through the Harvard Graduate School of Education in The Art of Craft of Principalship.
Additionally, Ms. Ketcher has won numerous awards throughout her career, including: Administrator of the Year for the State by the Arkansas PTA (2014), Little Rock PTA Council Administrator of the Year (2008), Arkansas Association of Elementary Schools' Principal of the Year Finalist (2008), LRSD VIP’s Administrator of the Year Award, U.S. Department of Education’s Bell Award for Principals of National Blue Ribbon Schools and was a 2012 Nominee for the Patriotic Award from The National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. She holds certifications and licenses in K-9 Administration; K-12 Curriculum Specialist; K-12 Special Education; and K-6 Teacher.
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Robin Holmes
School Secretary
Before Ms. Holmes was our school Secretary, she was a Forest Park parent. She has a heart for all children and keeps the pulse of all things Forest Park. Hers is the friendly voice you'll hear when you call our office. We are so lucky to have her!
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Pam Kuhn, R.N., B.S.N.
School Nurse
Nurse Kuhn has been with Forest Park since 2014 and has decades of experience in nursing. Before becoming a school nurse, she worked at Arkansas Children’s Hospital -- in Critical Care (PICU), General Practice Clinic, and Interventional Radiology. We are extremely blessed to have her always looking after the health and welfare of our students.
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Pre-Kindergarten
Rana Baiyatti
Pre-K Teacher
Ms. Baiyatti began her teaching career at Forest Park in 2011 as a Pre-K Teaching Assistant and transitioned into the role of Lead Teacher last year. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Translation from Baghdad, Iraq as well as an Associate Degree from Pulaski Tech.
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Shawntell Cunningham
Pre-K Assistant Teacher
Ms. Cunningham has a long teaching career at Forest Park as a Pre-K Teaching Assistant. She is a friendly and familiar face to current and former students alike. She is also a Forest Park parent.
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Ms. Cunningham's Favorite Things
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Kindergarten
Belinda Johnson
Teacher
Ms. Johnson has been teaching at Forest Park for over 20 years, beginning in 2002. She holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville and has also received ​ELLA Training Certification. She was named the Forest Park Teacher of the Year in 2005 and 2008.
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Keri Richmond
Teacher
Ms. Richmond has taught for a decade at Forest Park, beginning in 2014. She holds a B.S. in Early Education from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock, and earned her Master's Degree in Educational Theory and Practice from Arkansas State University. She is a graduate of the Arkansas Leadership Academy: Teacher Leadership Institute 2014/2015. Additionally, Ms. Richmond is ELLA, CGI and Orton-Gillingham trained, and ESL endorsed. She is the mother of three including a current Ranger.
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Ms. Richmond's Favorite Things
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Candace Robertson
Teacher
Ms. Robertson has been teaching at Forest Park since 2021. She earned her degree from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock and has almost a decade of experience in teaching.
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Ms. Robertson's Favorite Things
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First Grade
Whitney Corry
Teacher
Ms. Corry began teaching at Forest Park in 2013. She is the mother of a Forest Park alum as well as a current Ranger. She attended Arkansas State University where she earned a B.S. in Education and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership. Ms. Corry is also Orton-Gillingham trained.
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Sarah Drake
Teacher
Ms. Drake began teaching at Forest Park in 2020. She attended the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville where she received a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree of Arts in Teaching. She is the proud parent of two children.​​​​
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Samantha Porcelli
Teacher
Ms. Porcelli began teaching at Forest Park in 2017. She attended Henderson State University where she earned a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and a Master's Degree in Developmental Therapy. Additionally, Ms. Porcelli is Orton-Gillingham Trained and is pursuing a Masters in Dyslexia Therapy.
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Ms. Porcelli's Favorite Things
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Second Grade
Teacher
Erin Duck
Ms. Duck has been teaching at Forest Park since 2019. She grew up in Nashville, TN and holds a B.S. in International Business and Economics and a minor in German and Sociology from the University of South Carolina. She received her Master's Degree in Reading from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock and is a Certified Dyslexia Therapist and Reading Specialist. Ms. Duck began her teaching career as a Teach for America Corps Member in the Mississippi Delta. She is CGI, LETRS, and Orton-Gillingham trained.
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Teacher
Kristin Taylor
Ms. Taylor previously served as the Forest Park ROOTS Garden Educator before transitioning to her current role as a teacher. She holds a B.A. in Biology from Johns Hopkins University and a Master's Degree in Genetics from North Carolina State University. Ms. Taylor also previously taught high school chemistry and biology in both North Carolina and Florida. She is also a Forest Park parent.
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Teacher
Chap Williams
Mr. Williams earned his B.A. in English from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. He also holds a Master's Degree in Teaching from the University of Arkansas - Monticello. He is National Board Certified and completed the program for G.T. certification from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. Mr. Williams was named a Forest Park Teacher of the Year in 2023. He is a proud parent of two, including one Ranger.
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Third Grade
Teacher
Mary Haley
This is Ms. Haley's second year at Forest Park. She recently taught at another local elementary school. She has 17 years of teaching experience and holds a B.S. and a Master's Degree of Theory and Practice in Teaching.
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Teacher
Jenny Holmes
Ms. Holmes grew up in Little Rock and is a proud graduate of Central High School. She went on to attend the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville where she earned a B.S. in Education. Ms. Holmes is ELLA and Orton-Gillingham trained and has also received Effective Literacy Training. She has over two decades of experience and has been teaching at Forest Park since 2005. She was previously named Forest Park Teacher of the Year. In the 2018-2019 school year, Ms. Holmes was named as LRSD Teacher of the Year.
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Teacher
Jamie McRae
Ms. McRae began teaching at Forest Park in 2018. She hails from Kansas City, MO and attended the University of Arkansas -Fayetteville where she received her B.S. in Childhood Education. Ms. McRae began her teaching career with Teach for America serving at a rural school in South Carolina. She is Orton-Gillingham trained and has a decade of teaching experience. She is a proud parent of a daughter.
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Fourth Grade
Kelsey Henry
Teacher
Previously having taught in Northwest Arkansas, Ms. Henry joined us at Forest Park last year. She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville and has five years of experience in teaching.
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Anna Blair Williams
Teacher
Ms. Williams began teaching at Forest Park in 2015. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from Rhodes College and a Master's Degree in Elementary Education from Vanderbilt University. Ms. Williams was named as a Forest Park Teacher of the Year in 2023. She is a proud parent of two, including one Ranger.
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Ms. Williams's Favorite Things
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Fifth Grade
Teacher
Carolyn Dillard
Ms. Dillard is a long-time Forest Park teacher, having taught at our school since 2001. She holds a B.S. in Education from the University of Central Arkansas and is ELLA and Orton-Gillingham trained. She has also received Effective Literacy Training.
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Teacher
Yulonda Wallace
Ms. Wallace has more than three decades of experience in education and began her early teaching career at our school. She returned to Forest Park in 2005, and loves being a part of our Ranger community. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville and a Master's Degree in Library Science from the University of Central Arkansas. Ms. Wallace has received Effective Literacy, Investigations, and ESL Training. She was most recently named the 2024 Forest Park Teacher of the Year.
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Specialists
Rebecca Cook
Ms. Cook has been at Forest Park for over a decade, teaching here 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 feels blessed to teach something that she loves and to spend time every day with her favorite artists -- children.
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Kendrick Farr
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. His friendly and fun personality is a hit with the students at our school.
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Jason Finney
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 Degree in Gifted and Talented K-12 Education from the University of Arkansas - 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. He was also presented with the Economics Arkansas Bessie B. Moore Award in 2020.
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Michelle Graves
Ms. Graves has been at Forest Park since 2010 and has over two decades of teaching experience. She holds a B.S. in Education from Southern Arkansas University and a Master's Degree 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!"
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Margaret Gray
Ms. Gray has been with us at Forest Park since 2009. She earned her B.A. from Philander Smith College and her Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from Trevecca Nazarene University. She is a cheerful and pleasant presence with our students.
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Timothy Hansen
Mr. Hansen graduated from Hendrix College. In addition to working as a Para-Professional, he oversees the Coding and Chess Clubs at Forest Park.
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David Higginbotham
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 Degree 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. He is a proud Ranger parent.
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Mr. Higginbotham's Favorite Things​​
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Colby McIntosh
More information coming soon!​
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Ms. McIntosh's Favorite Things
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Kimberly McKay
Ms. McKay has over two decades of teaching experience. She received her B.S. in Elementary Education and Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. She is also Orton-Gillingham trained. Ms. McKay was named the Little Rock School District Teacher of the Year in 2005-2006. She was also a past recipient of the Forest Park Teacher of the Year Award.
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Sherry Nehus
Ms. Nehus has been teaching at Forest Park for over two decades, beginning in 2002. She holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy from the University of Central Arkansas and has more than three decades of experience in pediatrics.
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Patrick "Rudy" Ragar
Mr. Ragar, known as "Mr. Rudy" around the school, is a Little Rock native. He is a superstar around the children at Forest Park. His fun, friendly, and boisterous personality is a huge hit with our students. We are so fortunate to have him on our staff. As a testament, Mr. Rudy was named as the 2024 Forest Park Staff Member of the Year.
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Mr. Rudy's Favorite Things
Valerie Rouse
Ms. Rouse has served as a Para-Professional at Forest Park for many years. Her kind demeanor and patience is extremely helpful in working with students who need 1:1 and small group support throughout the day. She also assists with lunch and recess duties. We are so fortunate to have her at our school.
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Lonnie Smith
Coach Smith is a fan favorite among all the Forest Park Rangers (just ask them about his rendition of the "Happy Birthday" song). He holds a
B.A. in Physical Education and a Master's of the Arts Degree in Teaching from the University of Arkansas - Monticello. Coach Smith is certified in Health and Physical Education for P-6 and 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. We appreciate his service to our country.
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Deeni Sterling
Ms. Sterling began teaching at Forest Park in 2017. She has many years of experience in pediatrics.
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Ms. Sterling's Favorite Things
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Peyton Turner
Ms. Turner, a native of Little Rock, began teaching at Forest Park in 2022. A graduate of the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, she is a friendly and welcoming presence around our school. She is the proud parent of a daughter.
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Amy Walter
Ms. Walter has taught at Forest Park since 2009. She recently took on a Para-Professional role last year. She is the proud parent of a son.
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