Trojan Teacher Residency Panel Kicks Off Third Year with Advice and Encouragement for New Residents, Mentors
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Education welcomed the 2025-26 cohort of the Trojan Teacher Residency Program with an inspiring panel at the Bailey Alumni Center.
The Trojan Teachers Residency Program provides year-long, paid residencies for teacher candidates who are paired with experienced mentor teachers in local schools in central Arkansas. Supported by a grant from Forward Arkansas, the immersive program gives aspiring teachers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the classroom throughout an entire school year, preparing them to be day-one ready as educators when they graduate.
The July 28 panel served as a highlight of orientation day and marked the launch of the program鈥檚 third year, when residents will be teaching in and . It featured current educators who previously completed the residency program and a longtime district partner who has helped shape its success.
Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate endowed director of the School of Education, moderated the panel, which included Chadwick Comer, a seventh grade English teacher who completed his residency in the program鈥檚 first year; Tinaya Brown, a May graduate of the program who will teach kindergarten at J.A. Fair K-8 Preparatory Academy in the fall; and Dr. Janice Walker, assistant superintendent at the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District.
鈥淭his orientation is about helping our new residents learn from those who have walked this path before,鈥� Eells said. 鈥淥ur panelists are examples of what this program can do to prepare teachers to succeed.鈥�
Comer shared how he transitioned from observing his mentor teacher to becoming an active co-teacher early in his residency.
鈥淚 quickly realized this was a shared classroom,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y mentor made me feel welcomed, and I adapted fast. That support allowed me to grow and eventually lead the class with confidence.鈥�
Brown emphasized the importance of staying organized and avoiding procrastination.
鈥淚f you start doing things at the last minute, it won鈥檛 work,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou have to think about the performance of your students and stay ahead.鈥�
Walker highlighted the impact the program has had on her school district, particularly in recruiting and retaining quality educators.
鈥淗aving residents in our district has changed the landscape,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淲hen I walk into classrooms, it can be hard to tell who is the resident and who is the teacher. They鈥檙e contributing so much. This is a journey, and it鈥檚 about building trust and empowering future teachers.鈥�
Throughout the panel, the speakers underscored the value of reflection, honest feedback, and strong relationships between residents and mentor teachers.
鈥淚 needed brute honesty,鈥� Brown recalled. 鈥淓ven if it hurt my feelings, I wanted to improve. I made actionable steps and implemented them.鈥�
Comer echoed the importance of reflection and co-planning between himself and his mentor.
鈥淒aily reflection helped me improve and build a template for my first year of teaching,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t gave me a foundation.鈥�
Eells encouraged residents to embrace the program鈥檚 supportive structure.
鈥淭his experience gives you the freedom to try new things while having someone there to guide you,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 rare in education.鈥�
The panelists also shared advice on building relationships with students and their school communities.
鈥淏uild bonds with your mentor teacher, your students, and your school,鈥� Comer suggested. 鈥淭hose are the people you鈥檒l work with for the year and maybe for many years to come.鈥�
Walker said that school districts get the benefit of working with and training skilled residents for a year, which is an excellent recruitment tool.
鈥淲ith the training that鈥檚 given here at 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock, you are coming in with a great skill set,鈥� Walker said. 鈥淭he benefit that we get is a year-long interview process. The goal of our district is to hire every resident to be a part of our district. I call it our family. If we instill the very best in you, you will serve the students with excellence.鈥�