A chef-turned-educator is getting praise for his passion for making a difference and having a positive impact on students.
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 …