Allicia Nodurfth
Mrs. Allicia Nodurfth is a dedicated educator at Russellville High School in Russellville, Arkansas. As the RHS Library Media Specialist for the past two years, Mrs. Nodurfth has embraced her role with passion and commitment. She has worked tirelessly to revive a library program that was not functioning, transforming it into a vibrant and dynamic resource for students and staff alike.
In this position, Mrs. Nodurfth has the unique opportunity to engage with every student, totaling approximately 1200 students annually. Her deep love for books and her ability to connect with students allows her to find the perfect book for each individual, especially reluctant readers. Over the past two years, she has created and implemented a successful reading incentive program and hosted several popular book clubs for students. Additionally, she has made it her personal goal to create an inviting, welcoming space within the library, ensuring that all students feel comfortable and encouraged to explore the world of literature.
Mrs. Nodurfth has also worked to engage the community by hosting a special holiday open house, allowing students and their families to visit and use the library after hours. She is dedicated to making her lessons, the collection, and the overall library environment more inclusive to groups of students who may sometimes feel marginalized. This includes increasing the number of Spanish titles in the collection, incorporating books of all levels into the main collection through an effort called "Everybody Reads," allowing students to have lunch in the library, and providing a space for a student-created, student-led prayer group in the mornings.
Mrs. Nodurfth finds great fulfillment in helping students discover the joy of reading, making her an invaluable asset to the Russellville High School community.
Clubs and extracurricular activities allow students to develop leadership skills and find ways to contribute meaningfully to their community. Club advisors and sponsors often support these clubs with their own funds or through fundraising activities. To support our outstanding educators and the clubs they oversee, NSHSS is giving two (2) high school educators a $500 grant to help provide additional opportunities to their student clubs.