On Saturday, February 11, Arkansas Teacher Corps fellows and staff met at Chicot Elementary in Little Rock for the third All Corps professional development of the 2022-23 year. The all-day event began with a mindfulness session led by a guest facilitator from the social-emotional learning non-profit Breathe For Change in the morning, followed by content-specific development and equity after lunch. Overall, 90% of fellows reported experiencing a moment of mindfulness during the Breathe for Change session and growing as a facilitator of their content.
5 Join 2023 Cohort After 2nd Deadline
ATC staff recently completed the selection process for our second application deadline of the year. For the January 1 early deadline, we received 21 applications, interviewed 10 applicants, and accepted 5 fellows for the 2023 cohort.
Survey Assesses Students’ Social-Emotional Readiness
A recent survey of students taught by Arkansas Teacher Corps fellows found that students’ self-reported grit has increased since September 2021 when the fall survey was last administered and grit was rated the overall lowest. Students again rated self-management and instruction as the highest overall with little change from before. However, students also indicated a decrease in growth mindset, or the belief that a person's intelligence and abilities can be improved through new learning, challenge, and practice.
10 Selected for 2023 Cohort After 1st Deadline
ATC staff recently completed the selection process for our first application deadline of the year. For the Nov 1 expedited deadline, we received 33 applications, interviewed 19 applicants, and offered 10 fellowships for the 2023 cohort.
Fellows Focus on Equity, Lesson Planning at 2nd PD
On Saturday, November 12, Arkansas Teacher Corps fellows and staff met at Chicot Elementary in Little Rock for the second All Corps professional development of the 2022-23 year. The all-day event began with equity in the morning, followed by content-specific development and a rousing lesson planning competition after lunch. Overall, 89% of fellows felt that the day's PD empowered them facilitate ATC's mission of excellent, equitable education, and 86% felt they have the ongoing support from ATC they need to be successful.
ATC Fellows Named Teachers of the Month in Pine Bluff
Congratulations to four Arkansas Teacher Corps fellows who were recently named Teacher of the Month for October 2022 in the Pine Bluff School District: Delaney Wells (ATC '18), Shiwanda Perry (ATC '20), Torres Eskew (ATC '22), and Tavorres Eskew (ATC '22).
ATC, Teach Plus AR Host Twitter Chat on Self-Care
Arkansas Teacher Corps and Teach Plus Arkansas partnered to co-host a Twitter chat about self-care on September 27, 2022 in honor of National Self-Care Awareness Month.
ATC Staff, Fellows Attend Education Innovation Rally
On September 26-27, Arkansas Teacher Corps staff and fellows attended the 2022 Education Innovation Rally in Hot Springs, AR hosted by the U of A’s Office of Innovation for Education. ATC executive director Brandon Lucius and ATC director of institute Matthew Caston led breakout sessions on teacher retention and team leadership respectively. ATC teacher coach Kendra Ide, recruiter Whitney Carter, summer equity co-facilitator Dasnee McChristian, and fellows Ava Hollins-Rogers (ATC ’20) and Tyler Lewis (ATC ’20) were also in attendance.
ATC Staff Hold Team Retreat at DeGray Lake
Arkansas Teacher Corps staff gathered on September 12-14 for a retreat at DeGray Lake State Park in Bismarck, AR. For new staff and returning team members alike, the three-day retreat provided the perfect opportunity to get to know each other, reconnect, and build community among our team. From core values to program expectations to PD logistics, the ATC team is ready for the 2022-23 year!
ATC Receives $205,800 Grant For Fellow Support
Arkansas Teacher Corps was awarded a grant totaling $205,800 by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) in August 2022. Grant funds will provide additional supports for fellows in the areas of teacher licensure, wraparound support, and educator wellness for the 2022-23 school year.