Leading the way AEA Professional Development Conference
The Arkansas Education Association is a licensed provider* of Professional Development through the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education. As a provider, we work to ensure that educators in Arkansas have quality professional learning opportunities to advance their craft and career.
Each year, AEA offers an array of specialized trainings that improve the skill sets, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness for educators to thrive to the benefit of their students. The opportunities provided are tied to professional growth and skill development, and support educator expansion in the field of study to practice.
In addition, we support educators seeking to develop leadership capabilities while fostering creative development of a personal professional development plan. It’s important for educators to take ownership of shaping their careers and in that process, expand their skills and knowledge to reach higher levels of intellectual and scientific mastery. We offer educators the opportunity to track their own growth and development so they can individualize their career trajectory.
General Conference Information
The 2025 Conference will take place November 6-7, 2025. Information on registration and location will be posted when it becomes available.
Use this Intent to Attend form to let your administration know of your intention to attend. It must be delivered to them by October 6, 2025.
Apply to be a Presenter or Vendor
Highlights from the 2024 Conference
Forrest Rozzell Lecture Series: Featured Speaker
Each year, as part of our Professional Development Conference, we host a speaker as part of our Rozzell Lecture Series.
The 2025 Featured Speaker will be Representative and AEA Member, Jessie McGruder.
About Representative McGruder
Rep. Jessie McGruder is serving his first term in the Arkansas House. He represents District 35, which includes portions of Crittenden and Cross County.
For the 95th General Assembly, he serves on the House Education Committee and the House Aging, Children and Youth, Legislative and Military Affairs Committee.
In addition to his legislative work, Rep. McGruder coaches football, basketball, and track teams at Wonder Jr High School in West Memphis.
He is a lifelong Arkansan and a graduate of Arkansas State University. He is currently earning his Masters in Education from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Rep. McGruder resides in Marion with his devoted wife of over 25 years. Together they have 6 children in addition to his extensive extended family.
