Fellows Take Moment for Mindfulness at 3rd PD

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.

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.

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 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.

Arkansas Teacher Corps Named UA Outstanding Team

Arkansas Teacher Corps was awarded the annual Outstanding Team Award for 2021 by the University of Arkansas Staff Senate. This honor celebrates ATC's successful transition to a new virtual coaching platform in response to the COVID-19 pandemic while increasing the amount of feedback per fellow and fellows' overall satisfaction with coaching.

Eight ATC Fellows Selected For Ed Equity Fellowship

Temisha Daniel (ATC '19), Nora Fisher-Cummings (ATC '20), Ava Hollins-Rogers (ATC '19), Maggie Howard (ATC '19), DaLecia Jones (ATC '19), Darrah Maxfield (ATC '19), Ta'Nessa Robinson (ATC '17), Kimberly Taylor (ATC '21), and Brianna Young (ATC '20) have been accepted to the Arkansas Academy for Educational Equity fellowship, a program of the College of Education & Health Professions at the University of Arkansas that results in a M.Ed. in Educational Equity.

Six ATC Fellows To Complete Yoga Teacher Training

Freda Calloway (ATC '20), TyKesha L Cross (ATC '20), DaLecia Jones (ATC '19), Max Parker (ATC '21), Randi Sparks (ATC '13), and Adrian Williams (ATC '14) were selected for sponsorship to complete the Breathe For Change 200-hour Wellness, SEL and Yoga Teacher Training. Upon completion, they will be certified to teach inclusive yoga classes and lead social-emotional learning within ATC and their school districts.

Students of ATC Fellows Report Greater Learning

A recent survey of students taught by Arkansas Teacher Corps fellows found that students' self-reported grit, self-efficacy, and emotional regulation have increased since September 2021 when the survey was previously administered. Students also reported notable growth in classroom learning and their teachers’ personal investment in their learning. However, students also indicated a decrease in growth mindset and self-management. 

ATC Receives $131,250 Grant to Support Fellows

Arkansas Teacher Corps was awarded a grant totaling $131,250 by the Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) in March 2022. Grant funds will provide additional supports for fellows in the areas of teacher licensure, wraparound support, and social-emotional learning for the 2021-22 school year.

Virtual Coaching Model Sees Greater Fellow Growth

Arkansas Teacher Corps made a quick pivot to virtual coaching when COVID hit Arkansas schools in 2020. Since then, our team's focus on continual learning and improvement have led us to formalize a technology plan, fully implement a comprehensive virtual coaching platform, and see our teacher-fellows make unprecedented gains: increased teacher satisfaction, retention, and growth.