Arch Forward Systems Specialist Jacob Sisson joined passionate K–12 educators in Dover as they dialed up the rigor, sharpened assessment practices, and aligned instruction to hit the mark in both achievement and growth. Dover School District is not just improving—they're "Scaling Up to Excellence"!
#yourbestsolution
#aflp
#studentsfirst
Today we had 160+ Arch Ford ESC educators with us for the 4th annual Finding Balance Conference. The campus was alive with laughter, learning, and collaboration.
Breakout sessions included Financial Security, Journaling, Setting Boundaries, Pickleball and Teacher Life Hacks!
We love educators and we love being able to pour back into them! 🩷
Still looking for a groundbreaking PD? This one will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about kids and screens. 📱🧠 Join us for a powerful session inspired by The Anxious Generation and Glow Kids, two game-changing books that unpack the rising mental health crisis and the digital dilemma our children face. Learn what the research really says and walk away with practical strategies to help students thrive in a tech-saturated world. Don’t miss this timely and transformative training!
The Early Childhood Program is wrapping up National Speech-Language-Hearing Month by honoring our Speech Pathologists! We are so proud of these ladies and the services they provide to our students!
The Early Childhood Program finished the 2024-2025 school year strong! They closed out current files, prepared materials for next year, and are now headed home to enjoy the well-deserved summer break!
We kicked off our summer of professional development at Arch Ford with an incredible first day! From building stronger School Climates to exploring Cultural Connections in Fine Arts and boosting Middle Level Engagement in Math, today was full of energy, insight, and inspiration.
This co-op is for YOU, our educators. This is your space to connect, reflect, and grow. Whether you're here for one session or the whole summer, we’re so glad you’ll be rooted in learning with us this summer.
🚨 Science Teachers: Virtual Lab Safety & Chemical Right to Know Training! 🧪💻
Cindy Bunch is hosting a virtual PD session on June 23 from 8:30–11:30 AM featuring Renea’ Craig from Arkansas Occupational Safety and Health (AR Dept. of Labor and Licensing). This 3-hour training will cover:
✅ Annual Chemical Right to Know training (compliant with AR Dept. of Labor Act 556 of 1991)
✅ Science Lab Safety guidelines for all teachers working in lab settings
📅 Register on escWorks – Session #549489
📬 Zoom link and materials will be emailed the day before to the address used to register.
Please share with any science teachers who may benefit. Reach out to Cindy Bunch with any questions!
https://www.escweb.net/ar_ade/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=549489
🎉 BIG NEWS! Arch Ford CTE is proud to announce a total of $443,587.91 recently awarded in Start-Up and Modernization Grants across our region! 💼🔧🚜
These funds are fueling the future of Career & Technical Education — supporting current programs and helping to create new opportunities. From updated labs to new equipment, these grants are helping students gain real-world skills that lead to real-world success. 🌟📚💡
👏 Congratulations to all the schools and educators making a difference in CTE!
#ArchFordCTE #CareerReady #CTEWorks
Arch Forward Learning Partners kicked off summer learning by collaborating with the Vilonia Leadership Teams to identify key indicators of districtwide instructional success. Bethany Hill and Jacob Sisson guided leaders through a reflective journey focused on essential components of Tier 1 instructional practices, barriers to high-impact learning, and strategies for fostering authentic engagement. Leaders will continue building on this experience at the upcoming AFLP Summer Principals Institute.
Writing session- just added! Great Minds leaders will take participants through the writing found in Wit and Wisdom and connect it with the knowledge students are gaining. This session will give Wit and Wisdom users confidence teaching writing using their HQIM. June 11 830-330 ESC# 561525
The South Conway County School District formed a Student Success Team to build a system of common language across all campuses. The team recently spent time with Bethany Hill to begin building this language from the ground up! They will be collaborating throughout the summer to create a matrix that will support students and staff. We are so proud of this work taking place through our Arch Forward Learning Partnership! #ArchFordServes #yourBESTsolution
Arch Ford proudly celebrated four incredible women who will retire at the end of this fiscal year. Each of them has dedicated many years of service to school districts across Arkansas, making a lasting impact in countless ways. Their commitment and contributions have touched the lives of students throughout the state, and for that, we are deeply grateful.
Kelli, Susan, Angela, and Lisa-
We wish each of you a restful and well-deserved retirement. Thank you for your unwavering dedication and service!
Local Leads from every county in Arkansas came together for a powerful day of learning, collaboration, and celebration at Arch Ford. These dedicated professionals serve as the boots-on-the-ground leaders for early childhood education in their communities—ensuring strong connections between local programs, families, and state initiatives.
It’s clear, great things are happening in early childhood education across Arkansas, and this incredible group is leading the charge.
Mentoring Support Specialist Jennifer McMahan spent the day in Wynne observing ArPEP candidate Kaleb Landers as he guided students through a graphite tracing activity focused on perspective. We're incredibly proud of all our ArPEP candidates!
These students from Shirley Elementary have been learning about the role of working dogs! Archie and Bethany shared information with them and Archie was there for all the lovies and snuggles! He also had a play date with Rufus who works on the Shirley High School campus. #ArchFordServes #yourBESTsolution #dogsinschools
Mentoring Specialist Bethany Hill recently spent time with first year teachers and their mentors in the Conway School District. They reflected on the year and began thinking of their professional needs for the new school year. We are so proud of this group for almost completing their first year as an educator! #ArchFordServes #yourBESTsolution
We had such a great time at our local LEAD meeting at Arch Ford! Huge thanks to Curricula Concepts for joining us as guest speakers and to Fueling Brains for providing a delicious meal! Your support truly means the world.
It’s inspiring to see the collaboration and community we’ve built together. The conversations, connections, and shared ideas show the power of what we can accomplish when we come together with a common purpose.
Have you signed up for Summer PD yet? If you want to make sure you get a seat in the high-demand sessions, you might want to register now! Many sessions are filling and waiting lists are growing!
https://sites.google.com/archford.org/summer2025/home
#ArchFordGrows
#yourBESTsolution
#ArchFordServes
Happy Arkansas Children’s Week!
This year’s theme is “Fall in Love with Reading!”
Our local lead had a wonderful time celebrating with early childhood providers in our area by bringing stories to life and sparking a love for books in young minds.
Reading aloud to young children isn't just fun. It plays a powerful role in their development. It supports language skills, boosts cognitive growth, and nurtures social-emotional connections.
Fun Fact:
Children who are read to regularly hear 1.4 million more words by the time they enter school than those who aren't. That’s the power of a good story!
If you are a pre-k educator, director, or support staff, and you want to know more about engaging young children in read aloud, check out the link below to see professional development opportunities at Arch Ford this summer!
https://sites.google.com/archford.org/summer2025/early-childhood?authuser=0
Mr. Harrison, middle school principal at Two Rivers School District, is known for his barber skills! He has completed over 200 haircuts in the past couple of years! #ArchFordServes #yourBESTsolution
