The Institute for the Creative Arts, the first Performing & Visual Arts High School in Arkansas, is pleased to announce its Founding Board of Directors.
The five-member Founding Board includes Mrs. Jeannie Cole, Mr. David Cravens, Dr. Rick Foti, Ms. JoAnna Lever, and Ms. Kaylee Rainwater. Each come with a wealth of experience in key areas including education, finance, public school board experience, and parent engagement.
Jeannie Cole: Experience in Public School Boards
BA in Music Education, Harding University
Arkansas PTA President
National PTA Legislative Committee
National PTA Mentor
FSPS Board of Education
FSPS Board of Education President
ASBA President’s Award for 500+ hours of continuing education
NSBA Advocacy Institute delegate
Fort Smith Spirit of the Frontier award
Arkansas Times Public School Hero
Arkansas Leadership Academy
Leadership Fort Smith
Dr. Rick Foti: Experience in Arts Administration & K-12
40 years of experience in education
Served in elementary and special education in Missouri, Mississippi, and Arkansas
Director of Special Education for 4 years
Principal at Parker elementary for 4 years
Principal at Trusty elementary for 14 years.
Degree in music from Hendrix College
Doctorate of Educational Administration from UMKC
Served as Executive Director at Community Services Clearinghouse for 8 years and has served on numerous nonprofit boards
JoAnna Lever: Experience in K-12 Charter Startup
Director of Community Relations, Rogers Public Schools
Education Consultant, Self-employed
Vice President of Education, Goodwill Industries of Arkansas
Director of Charter Development, Arkansas Public School Resource Center
Fayetteville School District
o Director of Personalized Learning
o Founding Principal of the Fayetteville Virtual Academy
o Instructional Facilitator
Fort Smith Public Schools, Teacher, and Literacy Coach
Master of Education Educational Leadership and Administration, U of A
Bachelor of Science Elementary Education and Teaching at ATU
Kaylee Rainwater: Experience in Finance/Parent
Vice-President of Commercial Banking for Arvest Bank Fort Smith
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at University of Central Arkansas
Master of Business Administration at Webster University
Currently earning her Graduate Degree in Banking from The Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University