Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative

⭐️Dinner, Door Prizes, and More! There is still time to register!

3 months ago, Kristen Weatherall

Flyer for Arkansas Children’s Week 2026 workshop “Learning Comes Alive Outdoors” for early childhood educators in Plummerville on March 12 from 6–8 PM.

Big things are happening at Southside Bee Branch Preschool. From joyful classrooms to intentional instruction, this team is doing the work that matters most. When educators are committed to growing their impact, children feel it. And you can feel it here!

3 months ago, Kristen Weatherall

Teacher sitting on a colorful classroom rug reading a book to preschool children during circle time. Educational posters about number formation and life cycles are displayed on the wall behind her.

Dramatic play center labeled “ABC Pet Shop” with stuffed animals, a toy cash register, and adoption certificates set up for imaginative play.

Tabletop literacy activity with uppercase letter cards and a tray of fine motor materials including pom-poms, yarn, feathers, and play dough tools.

Young child working independently at a table using a counting board with numbered squares and small manipulatives for early math practice.

Teacher and young student sitting closely together on a classroom rug, smiling while reviewing a lesson binder during one-on-one instruction.

Preschool child engaged in hands-on learning, arranging small wooden logs and toy frogs on a mat as part of a nature-based play activity.

Partnering with North Little Rock School District teachers has been a joy. They are doing incredible work for students. From planning, analyzing data, and co-teaching, we are thankful for this opportunity.

3 months ago, Jennifer McMahan

Teacher at the front of the room doing a Morphology lesson on the board with her students

Teacher at the front of the room helping students to break down the word noctambulist

Teacher holding chart at the front of the room with his to break down a writing prompt

Teacher sitting looking at data and developing lessons for her students

Principal sitting coaching another teacher

Arch Ford was honored to host Dr. Corrales from Fueling Brains during his recent visit to our region. He had the opportunity to visit incredible schools, see Nurturing Minds in action, and connect with teachers and leaders who are intentionally building executive function skills in their classrooms. What he saw was powerful. Executive function matters, and our educators are leading the way! We are proud of the work happening across our cooperative and grateful for this meaningful partnership.

3 months ago, Kristen Weatherall

for professional educators forward facing posed in front of the B branch school district sign

Child standing at a table with a feeling brain tray working on a math activity

Child sitting at a table working on a feeling brains tray that is a math activity with numbers and buttons

professional educator sitting at a table working in a small group with two children

teacher standing, showing another educator something on a computer screen

A shelf with the nurturing minds trays on them

Watching ArPEP educators in action is a powerful reminder that passion and perseverance make a difference everyday. We are proud of the impact they are making on Arkansas schools!

3 months ago, Jennifer McMahan

Teacher supporting small groups of students working on a project

These three ladies have teamed up (with a little emotional support from Archie) to begin the work of establishing a common language for behavior expectations at Shirley Elementary. They will continue this work throughout the spring semester so they will be prepared as a staff to begin the 2026-2027 school year. We are so proud of their work, and it's only just beginning!

3 months ago, Bethany Hill

Elementary and middle school counselors from the region recently met at Arch Ford to collaborate, network, and learn together. They had kid talks, shared ideas about mentoring and check in systems, and learned more about collaborative problem solving with students.

3 months ago, Bethany Hill

Using Evaluation Results to Guide Service Design and IEPs: Target Audience - Building Level Admin & Special Education Teachers

This half-day professional development session focuses on analyzing data from initial and three-year reevaluation results or reports to better understand the whole child and guide effective IEP development and service design. Participants will learn how to translate evaluation data into meaningful decisions related to PLAAFPs, goals, accommodations, and services. Teachers and administrators will leave with a clearer, shared understanding of how evaluation data drives compliant, student-centered planning.

Wednesday, March 18 - Register Here

Wednesday, April 8 - Register Here

Applying Evaluation Data to IEP Development: Guided Work Session: Target Audience - Special Education Teachers

This half-day guided work session is designed for teachers who attended the original evaluation data PD. Participants will apply learning by working directly with data from initial and three-year reevaluation results or reports to strengthen PLAAFPs, align measurable goals, and refine IEP components. Support will be available to clarify expectations and ensure alignment between evaluation data, student needs, and service design.

Wednesday, March 18 - Register Here

Wednesday, April 8 - Register Here

3 months ago, Laura Watford

Using Special Ed Evaluation Results Three Hour AM; to make big decisions; calling all admin and sped teachers; Wednesday, 3/18 Wednesday 4/8; Applying Special Ed Evaluation Results Three Hour PM; directly to ieps; workday flow calling all sped teachers

Calling all Special Education Teachers...
This full-day professional development session supports Special Education teachers in proactively writing high-quality, compliant IEPs before the busy spring season. Participants will learn how to use Atlas and DLM data in conjunction with other forms of data to make data-driven decisions, develop well-rounded PLAAFPs, and write clear, measurable goals aligned to student needs. The session also emphasizes effective collaboration with IEP team members and families to ensure data, input, and instructional priorities are accurately reflected. Teachers will leave with practical strategies and tools to streamline the IEP process while improving quality, confidence, and consistency.
2/24 - Register Here
3/10 - Register Here
4/3 - Register Here

3 months ago, Laura Watford

Special Education PD Opportunity: Data Driven IEP Development Tuesday Feb 24 Tuesday March 10 Friday March 3 IEP I encourage Progress

9-12 counselors, (or 7-12 if you are configured as such) we hope you join us for this day of collaboration for high school counselors across the region. We will take a deep dive into life skills that enhance student success plans, goal setting, career pathways, graduation requirements, and have protected time to network and learn from other counselors across the region. Come with your ideas, struggles, questions, and celebrations! Register here---> https://www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=573208

4 months ago, Bethany Hill

Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative hosted a three-day CLASS Observer Training designed to prepare early childhood providers to become certified CLASS observers. Facilitated by Kristen Weatherall, Dayna Lewis, and Melinda McFerron, participants engaged in in-depth learning around the CLASS domains, dimensions, and indicators, building the knowledge and observation skills needed to reliably assess classroom interactions and successfully complete the CLASS certification process.

4 months ago, Kristen Weatherall

professional educators at tables with learning materials, observing video evidence of class domains.

professional educators, seated at tables, observing a preschool classroom via video evidence

professional educators, who facilitated the training posed facing forward with emotional support dog.

professional educators, seated at tables practicing the coding process of class observations.

professional educators, seated at tables with class materials, practicing the coding process for class observations

professional educators, seated at tables watching a preschool classroom via video practicing the coding process for class observations.

🌟 BIG NEWS, EARLY CHILDHOOD FRIENDS! 🌟
We’re launching another CLASS Observer Training!
Ready to deepen your understanding of high-quality teacher–child interactions? Join us at Arch Ford for Pre-K CLASS Observer Training on January 13–15, 2026! This FREE 18-hour training is led by Kristen Weatherall, Dayna Lewis, and Melinda McFerron.

👉 Register: https://www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=571667

5 months ago, Kristen Weatherall

This is a flyer about an upcoming CLASS certification course.Ready to deepen your understanding of high-quality teacher–child interactions? Join us at Arch Ford for Pre-K CLASS® Observer Training on January 13–15, 2026! This FREE 18-hour training is led by Kristen Weatherall, Dayna Lewis, and Melinda McFerron. Only 15 seats available.

🎉✨ Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative is celebrating 50 Years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)! ✨🎉

Today, November 29, marks the 50th anniversary of the signing of IDEA — a landmark law that transformed education by ensuring that students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment.

For five decades, IDEA has opened doors to inclusion, opportunity, and lifelong success — empowering millions of students, families, and educators to dream bigger and achieve more. 💛

At Arch Ford, we are proud to honor this milestone and to recognize the teachers, families, advocates, and students who make the promise of IDEA come alive every day. Here’s to 50 years of progress — and to an even brighter, more inclusive future for all learners! 💫

#IDEA50 #ArchFordProud #InclusionMatters #SpecialEducation #EveryStudentEveryDay #CelebratingProgress#ArchFordGrows

5 months ago, Laura Watford

Arch Ford Educational Cooperative IDEA 1975 - 2025 Celebrating 50 Years of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

Elementary counselors in the Arch Ford region recently spent the day with Bethany for a time of networking, collaboration, and learning! They explored the power of adult regulation, executive functioning development in young people, and how they can contribute to systemic change on how we approach student behavior. This is an amazing group! #archfordserves #yourBESTsolution

5 months ago, Bethany Hill

Administrator Book Study: Help for Billy-ZOOM Join Arch Ford for a virtual book study on Help for Billy, by Heather Forbes and Jim Sporleder. Together, we will take a deep dive into how to approach challenging behaviors while exploring the role of neuroscience in education today. Administrators will discuss challenging scenarios as they learn to better support both teachers and students. Our state and national trends show that the most vulnerable students are the people who receive the harshest punishments (seclusion, corporal punishment, restraint, suspension, expulsion). Through a trauma-invested lens, school staff can empowered to lead students and each other through challenges and cultivate a community of safety and belonging for all. There will be 8 biweekly meetings starting on January 29, 2026. I will starting sending email communication on January 20th. These will be Zoom meeting from 9:30 to 10:30. The first 15 to register will get a free book! https://www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=571774 #archfordserves

5 months ago, Bethany Hill

Elementary educators at South Side Bee Branch recently spent a whole morning learning about brain science, executive functioning development, the impact of childhood adversity on brain development, and how excessive screen time has impacted child development. They also learned how common, universal language for expectations and how regulated adults can create a community of safety and belonging for all. This is the very beginnings of building a system for adults and students that will create that level of belonging for all!

5 months ago, Bethany Hill

Through the work of our Local Lead, Arch Ford provided preschool students with a high-quality arts-integrated experience through Tiny Toy Tales, led by teaching artist Kassie Misiewicz. During this interactive storytelling session, children engaged with narrative elements through props, movement, and imaginative play. This experience supported early learning skills including making predictions, letter identification, retelling, comprehension, and vocabulary, while also strengthening language development and oral expression. What a fun week with some of our tiniest learners as they explored story, language, and creativity through the arts.

6 months ago, Kristen Weatherall

Professional educator sitting on the carpet in front of children in a semi circle. Educator is holding up a box. The box is full of props to tell a story.

professional educator in front of class, demonstrating reaching to the sun. Children facing educator. Children are also reaching to the sun.

professional educator sitting in front of children on carpet. Telling a story with props.

professional educator telling a story with props.

professional educator posing with young children.

professional educator sitting on the carpet in front of a group of children. Educator is holding up a box that contains props for a story.

professional educator telling a story to children using movement. Children can be seen doing the movement and smiling.

Mentoring Program Specialists Vandy Nash and Jennifer McMahan recently facilitated a session for Conway's mentor teachers and their novice teachers. We are proud of the work this district is doing to support their novice teachers.

6 months ago, Jennifer McMahan

Trainer and presentation at the front of the room. groups of teachers sitting at tables

Facilitator smiling while speaking with a novice teacher. they are sitting across from each other at a table

Facilitator at the front of the room presenting to teachers

Groups of teachers discussing student engagement

groups of teachers sitting at tables discussing student engagement

We are so proud of all the hard work our ArPEP candidates are doing in our schools!

6 months ago, Jennifer McMahan

Teacher at the front of the room laughing with students

Teacher at the front of the room teaching

Teacher at the front of the room pointing to presentation with Spanish vocabulary

Teacher writing notes on smartboard for his students

🎃👻 Crestwood Elementary Teachers know how to mix learning and fun! 👻🎃

This week, the Crestwood team hosted a Halloween party to celebrate and explore their learners’ needs — combining collaboration, creativity, and a touch of spooky spirit! 🧡🕸️

We love seeing teachers come together to share ideas, build community, and keep student success at the heart of everything they do. Way to go, Crestwood Elementary! 🍎✨

#CrestwoodElementary #TeacherLife #LearningIsFun #SpookySeason #CollaborationInAction

#yourBESTsolution #ArchFordServes

6 months ago, Laura Watford