LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Rajeswari Aravindan and Chad Collins were both awarded the People Committed to Serving Scholars Daily Inspiration in Education Award during the April meeting of the PCSSD Board of Education.
Aravindan was the classified awardee, and Collins was the certified awardee.
Aravindan is a special needs paraprofessional-individual at Joe T. Robinson Elementary. She holds a Bachelor of Science in physics and a master’s degree in computer applications, both earned in Tamilnadu, India. Before joining PCSSD, she taught mathematics and computer science for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. In her current role, she provides individual support for students with special needs.
Her personal and professional goals center on fostering an inclusive, high‑independence classroom environment where every student feels valued. Over the past year, she has mentored a student with autism, contributing to improved social interactions and reduced behavioral incidents. Her strengths include patience, empathy, adaptability, one‑on‑one support and detailed behavioral logging.
In her nomination, Aravindan was described as “sweet, dedicated and always willing to assist wherever needed.” The nomination noted that she “consistently goes above and beyond in supporting her one‑to‑one student and does so with patience and care,” adding that her professionalism and commitment “does not go unnoticed.”
Chad Collins has served at Sylvan Hills High School since 2001 in multiple roles, including math and engineering teacher, wrestling coach and basketball assistant. He is a 1993 graduate of Sylvan Hills and has had four children graduate from the school. He currently teaches construction and coaches football and track.
This is the first year for the school’s Introduction to Construction program, and Collins has helped connect students’ work to the broader community.
SHHS added an Introduction to Construction course in the 2025-2026 school year. Collins has taught the course in its first year, and his classes partnered with the art department to create Christmas‑themed door hangers for residents of three Sherwood nursing homes. Students also built wooden flags for retired veteran teachers, school resource officers and local firefighters.
In his nomination, Collins was described as someone who “does a tremendous job of explaining not only what is required for each project, but the meaning of what these projects are, and the impacts that they have for people within our community.” The nomination noted that his approach helps students take pride in their work and understand the value of contributing to others.
