Arkansas Educator Volume 44, No. 2

in this issue of the Educator, we visit a school librarian who reads stories to students by creating compelling visuals through ASL; meet a Pine Bluff Bus driver who secured fair pay for her colleagues; and see the AEA president give the gift of reading to students across the state. We also celebrate NEA’s first in-person Representative Assembly since 2019. This edition includes summer highlights as educators called on lawmakers to #payAReducators now, a healthcare update, and a word from AEA’s new interim Executive Director. Read these stories and much more in this issue of the Arkansas Educator!

Past Issues

Arkansas Educator Volume 43, No. 1

In this issue of the Arkansas Educator, we visit a classroom at Strong High School where a local president works to keep kids on track while addressing underlying behavior issues and ensuring her students know she cares. We also peek into a Fort Smith AP class where students run a mock election to better understand how the American political system works. The History teacher wants lawmakers to drop the inflammatory rhetoric and attempts to limit students’ access to honest and accurate information. We also have an update on bills drafted to improve the educator health insurance plan, and information about a new opportunity for student loan relief. Find out what you need to know to take full advantage of the new opportunity and much more!

Arkansas Educator Volume 42, No. 2

In this issue of the Arkansas Educator, meet the computer science teacher from Hot Springs who brings a new perspective to the national career tech conversation, as well as makes sure his students have all the tools to succeed in the ever-expanding world of technology. Learn more about the school voucher program that has frustrated parents and advocates for students with disabilities. This issue also includes an important update on public school employees’ health insurance plan, and the work AEA did to ensure educators did not face a huge increase in their premiums. Read these important stories and more!

Arkansas Educator Volume 42, No. 1

In the latest Arkansas Educator, hear from a Little Rock Library Media Specialist who is not afraid to speak up and act if (and when) she sees an issue, as well as a Benton Technology Aide whose role was radically redefined by the expansion of virtual learning in response to the pandemic. We also look into the flaws of standardized testing, and question why students are taking statewide standardized tests amidst a public health emergency. This issue also includes a look at big education issues being considered at the state Capitol and much more!

Arkansas Educator Volume 41, No. 5

In this issue, we visit Fayetteville Public Schools where a Pre-K director overcame challenges to build a strong program that’s thriving during the pandemic. We also meet the Rogers EA President as she works to keep students healthy while finding new ways to keep her local engaged and advocating for safe working conditions. Educators have been called on to do extraordinary things in dangerous circumstances as the COVID-19 pandemic rages around our state. We highlight educators's return to in-person teaching and offer an anonymous opportunity to share their experiences. The virus is also sure to affect the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session, set to begin January 11th. We anticipate a contentious and difficult session for education in Arkansas. Check out our legislative update and much more in the Educator!

Arkansas Educator Volume 41, No. 4

In this issue of the Arkansas Educator we travel to North Little Rock, where manufacturing teacher and local President Patrick Bruce is building his students’ confidence and hands on skills, while providing stable leadership in a district with high administrative turnover. We also meet Little Rock School Nurse Jamie Alverson, who says the response to the pandemic shows just how important our schools are to the social fabric of our nation and how much our educators are willing to sacrifice to meet their students’ needs. This issue also includes important voter information and a recap of the work AEA is doing to support and advocate for health and safety amid the coronavirus health pandemic. Read these stories and more!

Arkansas Educator Volume 41, No. 3

In this issue of the Arkansas Educator we travel to Pine Bluff where an art teacher is inspiring students at the same school where she developed a love of art. We also meet a Forrest City native who is building student reading skills. This issue went to print as Arkansas’s public schools closed to onsite instruction to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Business closures and rising unemployment hit the state budget hard, forcing lawmakers into two socially distant sessions. Find out what it means for public schools in our legislative update. While state lawmakers deal with the budget impact of the coronavirus, we also take a look at an effort to reduce property taxes that could have devastating effects on school funding in our state. Read these stories and more!

Arkansas Educator Volume 41, No. 2

In this issue we look at the troubling story behind state takeovers which are being promoted by groups seeking to privatize education. Readers will meet an early career educator working in Hope to increase opportunity for his students, many of whom are living in poverty. We also visit Arkansas Tech University where a student member is laying a new foundation for the Aspiring Educator program. Arkansas educators can also learn more about retirement in this issues’ Q&A segment with Clint Rhoden, the Executive Director of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System. The issue also includes an update on the new business items passed during the AEA Representative Assembly, the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the merger of the Arkansas Education Association and the Arkansas Teachers Association, and much more!

Arkansas Educator Volume 41, No. 1

In the Summer 2019 Issue of the Arkansas Educator we look at some of the power players behind the push to privatize education in our state and across the nation. We also visit 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Stacey McAdoo’s classroom, and find out where she developed her award-winning teaching style. This issue also includes a peek at Paraprofessional and Bus Driver Lisa Schichtl’s work to set students on a new career path in Conway’s body shop. Find out how education fared during the 2019 Legislative session, and how AEA members influenced legislation at the Capitol, and so much more!

Teacher Pipeline Turnaround: Arkansas works to promote the profession

In the Winter 2019 Issue of the Arkansas Educator we take a look at the state’s efforts to address a shortage in the teacher pipeline, and how one local association is supporting their district’s new hires. We also visit Huntsville, where a newly energized local is standing up for students and bringing the community together to support candidates in local races who share their hopes for the school district. We also look at the state’s unprecedented attack on the Teacher Fair Dismissal Act and the Public-School Employee Fair Hearing Act, as well as detail what educators stand to lose if the laws are waived in your district. The issue also includes candidate statements for the upcoming AEA Primary Election, and so much more!

Educators Engage: AEA Members Get Involved at the Capitol and Across the State

In this issue of the Arkansas Educator, we travel the state for a series of forums where educators share stories of student success. We also take a look at the surprising role education issues played during this year's Fiscal and Special Sessions, and talk to the Chairman of the House Education Committee. Don't miss the profile of Ashley Kincannon, a young professional educator from Lake Hamilton Junior High who continues to learn new skills to be the best for her students, while also making sure her peers understand the value of AEA membership. We also visit Pulaski County Special School District to shine a spotlight on Audrey Nichols' work to ensure the school days at Landmark Elementary hum along smoothly.

Welcome to the Redesigned Arkansas Educator

We are excited to share the newly revived Arkansas Educator! We see the transformative work AEA members are doing every day, but it’s important for those stories to be shared across the state. AEA's staff stands ready to walk alongside members to ensure you are empowered to be at your best for your students, your profession and for each other. We want the Educator to be a platform to highlight the incredible things AEA members do in classrooms, school buildings and communities every day. This is your magazine. It will also serve as a space to learn about new trends in public education, share ideas, learn about what’s happening with local associations across Arkansas and to stay up-to-date with political and policy changes impacting public education.

The Future is NOW - Arkansas Educators Embracing Technology

In this issue of the Arkansas Educator, we look at the many ways technology is being used to improve student success. We also spoke with the Arkansas Department of Education about micro-credentials, a new digital way for educators to demonstrate skills and qualify for professional development. Be sure to check out the profile of Fayetteville Education Association's former president Trevor Cooperescue, where he discusses the local's incredible growth over the last few years, and offers tips to spread the success to your part of the state. We also visited Parson Hills Elementary in the Springdale School District to speak with Juan Ruiz, an Education Support Professional who says helping others is his favorite thing to do. Read all of this, and much more right now at this link!