Arkansas teacher praised for his dedication [Video]

WHITE HALL, Ark. — One educator in White Hall is being recognized by the state and his community for his heart and dedication. 

David Small, a science teacher at White Hall Middle School, has spent 16 years shaping the future of his students one lesson at a time. 

But, for this Pine Bluff native, the journey to the classroom was anything but traditional. 

“I was a chef at a Harbor Oaks Restaurant for about 13 years before I started teaching, and I also ran an Italian restaurant for about two years,” Small said.

His career pivot came when he realized that his untraditional hours as a chef no longer suited his role as a single father at the time. 

Determined to provide stability and a brighter future, Small pursued an alternative …