Trojan Teacher Residency Program - News - ��Vlog��ý Little Rock

��Vlog��ý Little Rock Teacher Residency Graduate Named Jacksonville Middle School Teacher of the Year

Justin Bates — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Chadwick Comer was part of the inaugural Trojan Teacher Residency Program at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, spending a full year co-teaching with a mentor educator while earning a salary and completing his degree. He is now being recognized as Teacher of the Year at Jacksonville Middle School, the same place where his teaching career began.

The paid teacher residency program places education majors in a K-12 classroom for a full academic year, allowing them to co-teach with an experienced mentor while completing their coursework. Comer, a Middle Childhood Educational Development major, graduated in 2024 and was hired by Jacksonville Middle School immediately after completing the program.

“It was definitely helpful earning an income while completing my last year of college,” Comer said. “The program builds confidence by allowing you to be in the classroom on a full-time basis. From day one, you are teaching, planning, grading, and meeting with parents under the watchful eye of a mentor teacher who is ready to step in if things get overwhelming.”

Comer said spending a full year in the classroom and as part of the school community also made the transition from student to full-time teacher seamless.

“It was an easy decision to stay,” he said. “The entire staff was incredibly supportive from the first day to the last. We were treated as teachers, not interns or observers. We were teachers in every sense of the word.”

Now in his second year in the classroom, Comer said being named Teacher of the Year is both humbling and affirming.

“As a second-year teacher, it means a great deal to me,” he said. “It means that I am noticed and valued. I work with so many amazing teachers that it makes this award mean that much more.”

Comer said having a mentor teacher and utilizing the residency model helped bridge the gap between coursework and classroom realities.

“There is a significant difference between theory and practice,” he said. “An experienced mentor teacher is the bridge between what we learned in class and what we should do in the classroom.”

He said the residency experience was a more effective method than the traditional student-teaching models.

“Traditional models were weekly observations,” Comer said. “You visited the classroom for a day and went home. The residency program puts you in the classroom the entire time. You learn the curriculum, form bonds with students, and become part of the school community.”

Comer’s experience is part of a broader shift in teacher preparation across the state. Beginning in 2027, Arkansas will require all first-time teacher candidates to complete a one-year supervised residency as part of their licensure process, expanding clinical training beyond traditional student teaching.

Dr. Rachel Eells, director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Education, said the residency model positions graduates and school districts for long-term success.

“As Arkansas moves to require one-year residencies for all teacher candidates, we are committed to providing a high-quality experience that includes coaching and support from our team, along with opportunities to co-teach with strong mentor teachers,” Eells said. “Our close partnerships with districts like Jacksonville also allow some residents to earn a salary while completing their training.”

Eells said Comer exemplifies the impact of that approach.

“We are incredibly proud to have worked with Mr. Comer as part of our inaugural Trojan Teacher Residency cohort,” she said. “From the beginning of his residency, he demonstrated a deep commitment to his students, his school, and his district. He exemplifies excellence in education and continues to lead by example by returning to campus to participate in alumni panels and encourage future teacher residents.”

Comer encourages future students considering the paid residency pathway to be professional, prepare, and build relationships.

“You are not just participating in a residency — you are building a real-time résumé,” he said. “You are not a resident. You are a teacher.”

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Three ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Students Matched with Mentor Teachers in Little Rock School District

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:02:00 +0000

Three ��Vlog��ý Little Rock students will gain invaluable experience as they serve year-long teacher residencies with Little Rock School District this school year.

The aspiring educators were celebrated during a May 9 Match Day event at J.A. Fair K-8 Preparatory Academy, where they learned who their mentor teachers would be for the 2025–26 school year as part of the Trojan Teacher Residency Program.

The event marked the first time the university has placed teacher residents at J.A. Fair and is part of ��Vlog��ý Little Rock’s innovative, year-long paid residency program supported by Forward Arkansas. It provides future educators with hands-on classroom experience while being mentored by veteran teachers.

The three new residents—Kimbree Earnest, Britnie Harvill, and Sarah Smith—are all seniors majoring in elementary education.

Kimbree Earnest of Benton will teach second grade alongside Mrs. Carla Abraham. She described the Match Day celebration as overwhelming in the best way.

“The Match Day event held by J.A. Fair was amazing! I was amazed at how much time, money, and effort they put into making us feel so welcomed,” Earnest said. “I left Match Day feeling excited and ready for next fall!”

Earnest said she pursued education because of her passion for children and the desire to make a difference.

“I want to be someone special in their lives, especially those who need someone like that,” she said. “Being selected for the residency program was a huge relief. I’ve worked part time throughout college to make ends meet, and being paid to complete my residency is a huge blessing. I’m also thrilled to already have my foot in the door at a district I want to work for.”

Britnie Harvill of Hensley and Sarah Smith of Little Rock were equally excited after meeting their mentors. Harvill was matched with third-grade teacher Sarah McPherson, a Teacher of the Year at J.A. Fair, while Smith will teach third grade alongside Mrs. Gilseppe Brishana.

The Trojan Teacher Residency Program, now in its third year and funded through a grant from Forward Arkansas, emphasizes collaboration between the university and school districts to better prepare teachers. Each resident is matched with a certified mentor who has at least three years of teaching experience. Together, they co-teach and plan lessons, giving students a more authentic and practical experience than traditional student teaching.

The celebratory Match Day event at J.A. Fair included performances from student dancers and cheerleaders, speeches from school and university leaders, and a gift presentation for each resident.

Superintendent Dr. Jermall Wright offered a warm welcome and encouraged the residents to embrace the journey ahead.

“Welcome to the Little Rock School District family,” Wright said. “This moment marks a new chapter in your educational journey. At a time when few individuals are seeking to become educators, I want to applaud your courage for stepping into this calling.”

Each resident received personalized gifts from their mentor teachers as they began building the important relationships that will define their residency year and shape their futures as educators.

“We’re excited to see these three teacher residents grow as educators,” said Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate endowed director of the ��Vlog��ý Little Rock School of Education. “We can’t wait to see what this year brings.”

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Trojan Teacher Residency Panel Kicks Off Third Year with Advice and Encouragement for New Residents, Mentors

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

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’s 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’s 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.

“This orientation is about helping our new residents learn from those who have walked this path before,” Eells said. “Our panelists are examples of what this program can do to prepare teachers to succeed.”

Comer shared how he transitioned from observing his mentor teacher to becoming an active co-teacher early in his residency.

“I quickly realized this was a shared classroom,” he said. “My mentor made me feel welcomed, and I adapted fast. That support allowed me to grow and eventually lead the class with confidence.”

Brown emphasized the importance of staying organized and avoiding procrastination.

“If you start doing things at the last minute, it won’t work,” she said. “You have to think about the performance of your students and stay ahead.”

Walker highlighted the impact the program has had on her school district, particularly in recruiting and retaining quality educators.

“Having residents in our district has changed the landscape,” Walker said. “When I walk into classrooms, it can be hard to tell who is the resident and who is the teacher. They’re contributing so much. This is a journey, and it’s about building trust and empowering future teachers.”

Throughout the panel, the speakers underscored the value of reflection, honest feedback, and strong relationships between residents and mentor teachers.

“I needed brute honesty,” Brown recalled. “Even if it hurt my feelings, I wanted to improve. I made actionable steps and implemented them.”

Comer echoed the importance of reflection and co-planning between himself and his mentor.

“Daily reflection helped me improve and build a template for my first year of teaching,” he said. “It gave me a foundation.”

Eells encouraged residents to embrace the program’s supportive structure.

“This experience gives you the freedom to try new things while having someone there to guide you,” she said. “That’s rare in education.”

The panelists also shared advice on building relationships with students and their school communities.

“Build bonds with your mentor teacher, your students, and your school,” Comer suggested. “Those are the people you’ll work with for the year and maybe for many years to come.”

Walker said that school districts get the benefit of working with and training skilled residents for a year, which is an excellent recruitment tool.

“With the training that’s given here at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, you are coming in with a great skill set,” Walker said. “The 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.”

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Retired ��Vlog��ý Little Rock Professor Donates $10,000 to Support Future Educators

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 15:29:20 +0000

Dr. Melville Fuller, professor emeritus of education at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, has donated $10,000 to the School of Education to support the Trojan Teachers Residency Program, an innovative teacher training initiative entering its third year.

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. 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.

“I was excited to hear about this new residency program,” said Fuller, who taught at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock from 1974 until his retirement in 1995. “It’s a big step forward from what I did for 22 years at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, when I would visit student teachers four or five times a semester. Now they get to spend a full year with a teacher and learn the ins and outs of the profession. That makes a real difference.”

The donation will directly support student residents by helping offset the costs associated with their training and participation in the program.

Dr. Rachel Eells, Windgate Foundation Endowed Director of the School of Education, expressed her appreciation for Fuller’s gift.

“We’re so grateful to Dr. Fuller for this generous support of the Trojan Teachers Residency Program,” Eells said. “His gift will help ensure that our teacher candidates are well-prepared and supported as they develop into the next generation of outstanding educators.”

Fuller, who now lives in Franklin, Tennessee, remains deeply passionate about education. Since retiring, he has continued teaching young students about science and paleontology, his favorite subject, through summer programs like the Young Scholars Institute, where children affectionately call him “Dr. Dino.” He even has a fossilized tooth from a T-Rex, estimated to be from around 66 million years ago, that he found in Montana that is a big hit among his young students.

Reflecting on his time at ��Vlog��ý Little Rock, Fuller called it “the best time of my life.”

“We had so many wonderful education students,” Fuller said. “Some of them drove 75 miles a day just to come to class. Supporting this new generation of teachers is one way I can continue to give back to the university and the profession I love.”

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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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Trojan Teacher Residency Program - News - ����Vlog��ý Little Rock

����Vlog��ý Little Rock Teacher Residency Graduate Named Jacksonville Middle School Teacher of the Year

Three ����Vlog��ý Little Rock Students Matched with Mentor Teachers in Little Rock School District