Forward Arkansas - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

Four ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Students Celebrate Match Day with Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Four University of Arkansas at Little Rock students were honored on May 9 during a special Match Day ceremony hosted by the , marking the next step in their journey to becoming teachers through the Trojan Teacher Residency Program.

The celebratory event was held at Pinewood Elementary School. The four future educators – Amari Boone, Melissa Lambert, Laura Reynolds, and Baxley Travis – were invited to the stage to open an envelope that revealed their mentor teachers, grade levels, and school placements for the 2025-26 academic year. The residents are matched with experienced educators who will guide them throughout their year-long residency.

Amari Boone, an elementary education major from Little Rock, will be working in kindergarten at Bobby G. Lester Elementary School with mentor teacher Melissa Comier. Boone’s passion for teaching began at a young age through Sunday School and mentoring her younger cousins.

“I feel very privileged to be part of this residency program,” Boone said. “I feel well prepared and, most importantly, overly supported. I can’t imagine how being a teacher would be without experiencing this first.”

She said the Match Day event was more than she expected and helped her feel comfortable about the year ahead.

“I met my mentor teacher, and I love her already. She was super sweet, and I felt very comfortable with her.”

Melissa Lambert, a special education master’s student and mother of four boys from Austin, Arkansas, will complete her residency at Jacksonville Middle School under mentor Kathy Eason. This marks the first time that a special education student will complete a residency through the Trojan Teacher Residency Program.

“I am a nontraditional student,” Lambert said. “I have three sons who have needed specialized instruction and helping them during their educational careers inspired me to do the same for others.”

Lambert was overwhelmed by the support shown at Match Day and said the residency offers invaluable hands-on experience.

“I believe that learning in class is the start of your education. The on-the-job experience I will gain through this program will benefit me throughout my educational career.”

��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Education student Laura Reynolds, right, is matched with her teacher mentor, Regina Eubanks, left, during a Match Day event at Pineview Elementary School. Photo by Benjamin Krain.

Baxley Travis, a history major with a secondary education focus from Redfield, Arkansas, will also teach at Jacksonville Middle School, co-teaching eighth-grade social studies with mentor Zachary Dennis.

“Match Day was overwhelming but wonderful. I didn’t expect to be recognized and given so much encouragement,” Travis said. “Mr. Dennis seems like a great teacher, and I know I will learn a lot with him as my mentor.”

Inspired by great educators in her life, Travis said the residency offers an important stepping stone to becoming a confident and capable teacher.

“I think it will be a great way to get comfortable in a classroom and build my confidence as an educator,” she said.

Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann, social studies education coordinator and Travis’ advisor, said that Travis is lucky to be on the receiving end of so much ��Vlog��ý Little Rock history. Travis’ mentor, Dennis, is one of Mann’s former students who graduated ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2017. Dennis, in turn, completed his student teaching with another ��Vlog��ý Little Rock alumnus, Greg Frantal.

“I am glad to see our program’s legacy continue with the expansion of our yearlong residency partnership to students in our secondary licensure programs in Jacksonville,” Mann said. “It is a privilege to re-engage with former students like Zach as they share their classrooms and their expertise with current students.”

The Trojan Teacher Residency Program, launched in 2023 through a grant from Forward Arkansas, is designed to address the state’s teacher shortage by offering education majors a full year of co-teaching and mentorship, while also providing financial support.

“With support from Forward Arkansas, we had a vision for a year-long paid residency program, but we could not do that on our own,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “A testament to the success of this model is the fact that three of the students who were residents are now full-time teachers in the district.”

The new Trojan Teacher residents and their teacher mentors gathers for a picture at Pineview Elementary School. Pictured from left to right are Zachary Dennis, Baxley Travis, Regina Eubanks, Laura Reynolds, Kathy Eason, Melissa Lambert, Amari Boone, and Melissa Cormier.

Jacksonville North Pulaski Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Owoh praised the value the residency program brings to the district.

“This program brings up-and-coming teachers into our classrooms and allows us to play a role in their development,” Owoh said. “It’s a win for everyone—our students, our schools, and the future of education in Arkansas.”

As Match Day concluded, district leaders, mentors, university faculty, and residents celebrated with photos, handshakes, and shared excitement for the year ahead.

“I don’t want you to just look at this as just Match Day,” said Dr. Janice Walker, JNPSD assistant superintendent. “I want you to look at this as a journey that you’re starting as a partnership, because that’s what it is. It’s one in which you will grow, learn, and build relationships, and you’re going to be able to inspire.”

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New Cohort of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Teaching Residents Join Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 14:00:44 +0000

After a successful first year of a new teacher residency program, a second cohort of teacher residents from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock have joined (JNPSD) to learn how to become day-one ready teachers.

“The residency program has been an invaluable opportunity for professional growth for our educators as well as our teacher interns,” JNPSD Superintendent Jeremy Owoh said. “It provides hands-on experience and mentorship that are critical for developing effective pedagogical skills. I highly recommend the residency program to any superintendent or principal looking to enhance their educator’s professional capacity and increase their educator pipeline to the District, and I am happy to welcome this second cohort of teaching residents to JNPSD.”

The seven new residents are working in Bayou Meto Elementary, Bobby G. Lester Elementary, and Murrell Taylor Elementary schools for the 2024-25 school year.

The new teacher residents include Fallon Armstrong, mentored by teacher Amanda Lercher; Trula Bell, mentored by teacher Regina Eubanks; Averee Betts, mentored by teacher Wanda Eskridge; Trinity Gilstrap, mentored by teacher Ashley Polen; Maggee Powell, mentored by teacher Kimberly Williams; Layla Schwab, mentored by teacher Sarah Henderson; and Janelle Solis, mentored by teacher Danielle Pelletier. Dr. Terri Guy serves as the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock site coordinator for JNPSD.

“The Trojan Teacher Residents in Jacksonville are working in three different schools, providing high impact math tutoring to small groups of students,” said Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate Endowed Director of the School of Education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. “Our partnership with Jacksonville has allowed us to shift to respond to their district’s needs, and these residents applied for the role, knowing that this was the particular need for this year. We are pleased to be able to partner for experiences that accomplish multiple goals.”

Last year, the first participants of the teacher residency program worked in Jacksonville at Murrell Taylor Elementary and Jacksonville Middle School. In lieu of traditional student teaching, residents spent the entire academic year in the same classroom with an experienced teacher mentor, learning all the tricks of the trade to be successful educators.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I loved and enjoyed being around kids. I enjoyed it so much I would set up my room as a ‘classroom’ and play teacher with my family and friends,” said Averee Betts, a senior elementary education major from Benton who is teaching fourth-grade math. “I am very thankful for this opportunity and to be a part of the Jacksonville School District. This residency also is very hands-on and helps prepare me by having the opportunity to teach and be the teacher of the classroom.”

The teacher residency program is supported by a grant from , which is helping ��Vlog��ý Little Rock address Arkansas’s teacher shortage by working to increase the number and diversity of teacher candidates entering the field.

Maggee Powell, a senior elementary education major from Benton, originally planned to go into healthcare, but quickly realized that it wasn’t for her.

“I had a realization that my true passion is with kids, that being in a classroom is where I saw myself,” Powell said, adding that participating in the residency program has allowed her to grow as a teacher.

“Being in an internship with a support system is truly so important,” Powell said. “I feel supported by my colleagues and my fellow classmates. Murrell Taylor has shown me a true support system, and I am forever thankful. I have grown to love Murrell Taylor and the people at it. They have welcomed me like I was already family.”

Trinity Gilstrap, a senior middle childhood education major concentrating in science from Cabot, is teaching fifth-grade science and writing at Bayou Meto Elementary. She credits her fourth-grade teacher Mr. West for inspiring her to become a teacher, but thanks her teacher mentor Ashley Polen for showing her how to be a good teacher.

“Being a part of this teacher residency program is helping me prepare to be a day-one ready teacher because I’m gaining confidence in teaching,” Gilstrap said. “I’m seeing all aspects of what a teacher really does and how to handle a classroom. So, when it comes time for me to teach, I’ll know what to do and how to do things!”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock and Jacksonville North Pulaski School District Partner on Innovative New Teacher Residency Program

Fri, 22 Sep 2023 13:05:59 +0000

In a groundbreaking collaboration that promises to redefine the landscape of teacher education, the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the have joined forces to introduce an innovative new teacher residency program.

The transformative initiative provides teacher candidates with high-impact, paid residencies that will prepare these aspiring educators to be ready for their classrooms on their first day as a teacher.

“Resident teachers play a vital role in the public education system, providing not only academic instruction, but also serving as mentors and role models for scholars. Their presence in the classroom ensures a level of continuity and stability that is essential for creating a positive and supportive learning environment,” said Dr. Jeremy Owoh, superintendent of Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. “We are excited about this partnership with ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and the opportunity to invest in the future of our scholars and school community.”

The new residency program was announced Sept. 21 at Jacksonville Middle School. The first five ��Vlog��ý Little Rock education students participating in the program include Chadwick Comer, Syrena Crotts, Laury Miller, Myah Steed, and Rachel Vickers.

With classrooms as their training ground and mentorship as their compass, aspiring educators are set to embark on a journey that will shape not only their own careers but the minds of countless students for generations to come.

“We cannot thank Dr. Owoh and the whole JNPSD team enough for supporting our teacher candidates in their learning, both through connecting them with expert mentor teachers, and also through funding their experience so they can actually afford to have the immersive experience that we know is best for teacher training,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.

Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education, states how a new teacher residency program with Jacksonville North Pulaski School District will prepare new teachers to be day-one ready.

Teacher candidates are normally not compensated while they complete their required internships in local schools, creating a barrier to graduation for students who have additional work, family, and financial obligations.

“It is our belief that by providing students with paid residencies, the ability to learn with expert national partners, and the opportunity to collaborate with a local school district like the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, our teacher candidates are going to be prepared for the classroom like never before,” said ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Chancellor Christina S. Drale.

Supported by a grant from , the residency model allows teacher candidates to spend a year working with experienced teacher mentors in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District. The grant is designed to aid ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in increasing the number and diversity of teacher candidates entering the field. The university’s proven track record of providing affordable, quality education to students made it the perfect partner for this grant.

“This program is a public commitment to the continuation of a very special partnership that is made possible through the generosity of Forward Arkansas,” Drale said. “The need for quality teachers in our state and in our community has never been greater. Here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, we have embarked on a comprehensive program to recruit, train, and retain K-12 teachers in Arkansas. We are grateful to the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District and U.S. Prep for their strong support and collaboration on this program.”

Chadwick Comer, a senior middle childhood education major from North Little Rock, said that participating in the teacher residency program is strongly helping him prepare for his future as a teacher.

“The teacher residency program is significantly different from the teacher observation program,” Comer said. “As a teacher resident, I feel more empowered in the classroom. While as a student observer, I was not certain of my place. It’s all real time, and it’s in the moment. I was here for professional development, and I will be here until the last day of school in the same classroom with the same students. Teaching English and language arts is my passion.”

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��Vlog��ý Little Rock Welcomes Longtime Educator as Interim Director of School of Education

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 13:00:32 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has named longtime teacher and administrator Dr. Rachel Eells as the new interim director of the School of Education.

“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Dr. Eells back to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “An esteemed and accomplished alum, Dr. Eells joins us at a very exciting time as we continue to elevate the standard of excellence in teacher preparation. I look forward to working with her toward our goal of becoming the top provider of day-one ready teachers in Arkansas.”

Eells earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Concordia College followed by a master’s degree in gifted and talented education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock. She started her teaching career in Little Rock as a teacher of special education, art, and gifted and talented education at Christ Lutheran Church, but Eells said teaching has been her goal since she was a child.

“It seems like I have always been a teacher,” Eells said. “Even when I was in high school, I was teaching summer camp or Sunday School. It felt right to me even at that young age. My mother was a teacher, served as my first-grade teacher, and I saw her moving up through higher education. Everything I do, I can help people find a deeper understanding about themselves, and I really enjoy that.”

She later moved to Chicago where she earned a Ph.D. in educational psychology from Loyola University Chicago. Her dissertation focused on the relationship between collective teacher efficacy and student achievement.

In 2007, Eells joined Concordia University Chicago, where she worked as a professor of educational psychology, chair of the psychology department, and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Prior to joining ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Eells served as vice president for academic affairs and a professor of education at Concordia College New York. She returned to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in 2022 as a visiting professor of education and said she’s enjoyed catching up with former students and colleagues.

“Just this past summer, I taught one of my Christ Lutheran students at a graduate class at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock,” Eells said. “That is one thing that is fun about coming back to Little Rock. I’m seeing the kids I taught as adults at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock or out working in the community. It’s especially fun to see the students who have gone into teaching.”

Eells said that she is happy to be in a leadership role at such an exciting time for the School of Education. ��Vlog��ý Little Rock is partnering with the Little Rock and Jacksonville North Pulaski School Districts to start a teacher residency program this school year where 11 students will be training an entire year in the school districts. The goal of the program is to produce high-quality, highly trained teachers who are ready for their classrooms on day one.

The residency program is funded by a grant from Forward Arkansas. Since 2021, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has received more than $550,000 from Forward Arkansas to develop an innovative model focused on reimaging teacher education.

��Vlog��ý Little Rock also received a $3.5 million grant from the Windgate Foundation to endow the directorship of the School of Education in May. This gift will support the transformation of teacher education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in its quest to become a premier provider of teachers in the state.

“The School of Education is at an exciting time for upward growth,” Eells said. “I am proud to support the faculty while they bring their expertise to help prepare the best teacher candidates in the state. I am looking forward to working closely with the Arkansas Department of Education to promote excellence in our schools.”

Eells is married to Brandon Eells, an actor and photographer, and they have a daughter Lucy, who is a junior at Parkview Arts Science Magnet High School. Her father-in-law is the late Paul Eells, a popular sportscaster who was known as the “Voice of the Razorbacks” for broadcasting University of Arkansas basketball games. Outside of work, Eells enjoys crocheting, reading, theater, working out, and watching the wildlife in her backyard.

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Windgate Foundation Supports Teacher Education with $3.5 Million Grant

Mon, 22 May 2023 13:33:33 +0000

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock has received a $3.5 million grant from the to endow the directorship of its School of Education. This gift will support the transformation of teacher education at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock in its quest to become a premier provider of teachers in the state.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Windgate Foundation for their generous support of this effort,” said Chancellor Christina S. Drale. “High quality teacher education has never been more important. This funding will help us sustain strong leadership for the program and will make possible further investment in innovative teacher preparation at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock.”

The Windgate Director of the School of Education will play a direct role in ensuring the School of Education graduates day-one ready teacher candidates. Primary goals will be strengthening partnerships with K-12 schools and state school districts, increasing enrollment, supporting curricular innovation and meaningful assessment, raising awareness of the program, and raising funds to support teacher preparation efforts.

“We were impressed with the work of Chancellor Drale and the education leadership team in articulating their vision and plan to transform teacher education,” said Pat Forgy, executive director of Windgate Foundation. “These critical improvements will allow ��Vlog��ý Little Rock to provide a clear pathway for classroom-ready teachers in Arkansas. It is our honor to support this effort, and we look forward to seeing the impact it will have in the years ahead.”

“We’re grateful for the support of the Windgate Foundation,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “They have long been a friend to ��Vlog��ý Little Rock and the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. Their commitment to improving teacher preparation efforts will not only impact students at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, but it will pay dividends for children in Arkansas for generations to come.”

Since 2021, ��Vlog��ý Little Rock has received more than $550,000 from Forward Arkansas to develop an innovative model focused on reimaging teacher education. The generous support from the Windgate Foundation allows the university to strengthen its transformative work by launching a national search for the first Windgate Director of the School of Education.

“Our faculty have worked incredibly hard to develop an innovative approach to how we approach teacher education and preparation,” said Dean Estes. “The new Windgate Director of the School of Education will play a critical role in expanding that work so that by the time our students graduate they will be fully prepared for a rewarding career that will help build positive learning environments for K-12 students throughout Arkansas schools.”

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Forward Arkansas - News - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

Four ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Students Celebrate Match Day with Jacksonville North Pulaski School District

New Cohort of ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Teaching Residents Join Jacksonville North Pulaski School District