The Team

Beginning her 19th year in education, and her second year at Gentry, Melissa Fullmer worked as a teacher and coach in Texas. Originally from Gravette, she is happy to be back home and in this new phase of education helping students figure out what they want to pursue in life, after high school. She loves this job, finds it rewarding and feels it has reignited her joy for helping student, and finds the H.I.R.E.D! has been a wonderful and challenging change in all her years of experience in education. 

"I hope our students gain the knowledge and exposure they deserve to help them find what fits their needs for the future"

You can reach Melissa at mfullmer@gentrypioneers.com

Mary Smithers joined the H.I.R.E.D! team in 2022, leaving the role of registar at Gravette High School, to become the Career Coach there. She recently completed her education to become a school counselor, and gets to do many of the same things she wanted to do as a counselor, as a career coach. She has been in education, in many different roles, for several years. She comes with experience as a teacher, a coach, in administrative services, and now as the career coach! Mary cares deeply about her students success and does whatever she need in order to make sure they have the opportunities they need. 

You can reach Mary at mary.smithers@gravetteschools.net

Amanda Creamer is beginner her 3rd year as the H.I.R.E.D! College and Career Coach from Greenland High School. Amanda has extensive experience at the collegiate level, formerly working at the University of Missouri and the University of Arkansas, working with student athletes, academic services, recruiting, placements, etc. She has also worked for the MO Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Creamer is a graduate of the U of A and Central Baptist!

"I love the opportunities that H.I.R.E.D! program has given me to help students not only decide what their next step is after high school, but to help them grow as individuals each day. It has been a very rewarding experience and I look forward to continuing this work!"

You can reach Amanda at acreamer@greenlandsd.com

A veteran educator, Sarah Simmons has had a lifelong career at Lincoln High School. She has held various roles such as a business teacher, ALE coordinator, instructional coach, and now the career coach for the high school. She brings a great amount of knowledge and experience to this role and we know her students are lucky to have her. 

"This has been the exact thing that we have needed in education. It is the one thing that I think can make a huge difference in our kids, and I am so happy I get to serve as the career coach for my students."

You can reach Sarah at ssimmons@lincolncsd.com

After 2 years of serving as the Career Coach for Huntsville and St. Paul, Stetson Ledbetter assumed the role of H.I.R.E.D! Project Director in August of 2024. He is from the Northwest Arkansas area and loves the opportunity to work to improve the lives of students in the area. Whether it is helping students with a college application, getting them a job shadow, or setting them up with an amazing company to work with after high school, he has found a passion in this work and looks forward to continuing the H.I.R.E.D! legacy. 

"I love that our program allows us to be embedded into the schools as district employees and connect with the teachers and the students on what their hopeful career is first, and then guide their pathway to that career. To me, this makes all the difference in the students we serve!"

You can reach Stetson at sledbetter@apsrc.net