Another great day of learning at GFESC! 📚🔬 Today's Science Curriculum Cohort: Amplify workshop gave K–8 educators the opportunity to dive into curriculum planning, pacing, assessments, and data analysis to help prepare for a successful school year. Thank you to everyone who participated and to Amber Cobb for leading today's engaging session! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC

This week, educators kicked off the K–2 RISE training with Days 1 and 2, exploring the science of reading, evidence-based literacy practices, and the critical role of phonological awareness in early reading success. We're excited to see participants continue building their knowledge throughout the remaining RISE sessions! A special thank you to Sandy Shepard and Dallas Henderson from the Arkansas Department of Education for leading these engaging and informative sessions. We also extend our appreciation to County Line School District for generously allowing us to use their high school library to host this training. #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #ScienceOfReading #RISEArkansas #EarlyLiteracy

Congratulations to the educators who completed Days 5 and 6 of the 3–6 RISE training this week! Throughout these final sessions, participants strengthened their understanding of reading comprehension, lesson internalization, and evidence-based literacy instruction grounded in the science of reading. We appreciate their commitment to helping every student become a successful reader. #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #ScienceOfReading #RISEArkansas #LiteracyLeadership

Today's Elevating Elementary Instruction with AI Tools workshop gave educators practical strategies for using AI to enhance instruction, personalize learning, and streamline everyday classroom tasks. From lesson planning to family communication, participants explored innovative ways to make AI a valuable teaching partner. Thank you to Karen Grady for leading today's engaging session! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #AIinEducation #ElementaryEducation #EdTech

Being prepared can make all the difference!! Educators gathered on Monday, Wednesday, and again today to complete CPR/AED/First Aid Certification, building the skills and confidence needed to respond in emergency situations within the school setting. Thank you to Katelyn Chambers for leading this important training and to all who participated in strengthening school safety for their students and communities. #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #SchoolSafety #CPRTraining #FirstAid #AED

Educators joined us today for School-Based Identification of Dyslexia in Grades 4–12, where they explored updated legislation, screening processes, and best practices for identifying students who may benefit from dyslexia intervention services. Sessions like these help ensure schools are equipped to make informed decisions that support student success. Thank you to Elizabeth Reeves for leading today's informative workshop! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #Dyslexia #StudentSuccess

We're halfway through an incredible week with our 2026–2027 ArPEP Year 1 Cohort! 🎉 Our first-year teachers have been learning, connecting, and building a strong foundation for a successful school year. We're excited to share this midweek glimpse of all the great work happening and can't wait to highlight the rest of the week on Friday! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #ArPEP #FirstYearTeachers

Today's Leveraging AI Tools to Enhance Secondary Instruction workshop gave educators practical strategies for using AI to enhance teaching and learning in the secondary classroom. Participants explored ways to create engaging, differentiated lessons, strengthen connections to high-quality instructional materials, and streamline classroom planning to better support student success. Thank you to everyone who joined us and to Karen Grady for leading today's engaging session! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #AIinEducation #SecondaryEducation

Today, participants gained valuable, life-saving knowledge during our Narcan and Stop the Bleed Training. Attendees learned to recognize the signs of an opioid overdose, understand the use of naloxone, and practice essential bleeding control techniques to help prepare for emergency situations in schools and communities. Thank you to everyone who attended and to Katelyn Chambers for leading today's important training! 🩺💙 #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #SchoolSafety #ProfessionalLearning

Strong writers start with strong foundations! ✏️ Today's K–2 Writing workshop explored the essential role of handwriting, sentence-level writing, and comprehension in building young learners' literacy skills. Participants left with research-based strategies and ready-to-use activities to strengthen writing instruction in their classrooms. A special thank you to Sandy Shepard and Dallas Henderson from the Arkansas Department of Education for leading today's engaging and informative session! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #EarlyLiteracy #WritingInstruction

Today's Empowering SPED Teachers with AI Tools to Support Individualized Instruction workshop gave special education teachers practical ways to use AI to personalize learning, streamline planning, and better support student success. Participants explored innovative strategies they can take back to their classrooms right away. Thank you to Karen Grady for leading this informative session and to everyone who joined us! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #SpecialEducation #AIinEducation

Today's GFESC Stop Teaching Skills, Start Building Readers: Text-Centered Comprehension (Grades K–5) workshop equipped educators with practical strategies to strengthen reading comprehension through high-quality texts, purposeful writing, and explicit syntax instruction. Participants left with tools and resources to help students build deeper understanding and confidence as readers. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of meaningful professional learning and to Sandy Shepard and Dallas Henderson from the Ark Dept of Education for leading this workshop today! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #Literacy #ReadingInstruction #TeacherPD

Planning for a successful school year was the focus of today's GFESC Math Curriculum Planning Day (6–12)! Educators spent the day diving into Arkansas math standards, HQIM resources, ATLAS Blueprints, intervention planning, pacing guides, and data analysis to build strong instructional plans that support student success. Thank you to everyone who participated and to Candice Cumbie for leading today's valuable learning experience! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #MathEducation #ArkansasEducation #TeacherPD

🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July! ❤️🤍💙 As we celebrate our nation’s independence, we honor the freedoms that make learning, growing, and serving our communities possible. From all of us at GFESC, we wish our educators, students, families, district partners, and communities a safe, joyful, and memorable 250th Independence Day. Thank you for all you do to support education and inspire the next generation! Have a wonderful Fourth of July filled with family, friends, and celebration! 🎆

Another great day of professional learning at GFESC! Today, Elizabeth Reeves led a workshop on utilizing screening data for school-based identification of dyslexia in grades K–3. Educators explored legislative updates, the screening process, and best practices for identifying early indicators of dyslexia to support informed decision-making and student success. Thank you to everyone who participated! #GFESC #DyslexiaAwareness #ProfessionalLearning #Literacy

Today, GFESC GT educators came together for a productive Educator Work Day led by Karen Grady! Participants collaborated, refined instructional units, and worked through TAV documentation to strengthen gifted education programs and prepare for a successful year ahead. Thank you to everyone for your dedication and teamwork! #GiftedEducation #ProfessionalLearning #GFESC #TeacherCollaboration

Day 3 and 4 of the 3–6 RISE training are in the books! 📚 Educators continued building their understanding of the English language by exploring word origins, spelling patterns, vocabulary development, and effective assessment practices. Through hands-on learning and classroom connections, participants gained valuable strategies to help students become stronger readers, writers, and communicators. We’re excited to continue the journey as we head into the last two days of training next week! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #RISEArkansas #LiteracyLeadership

Educators joined us today for Science Acceleration: Teaching Honors Science for 5th, 6th, & 7th Grade, exploring new honors science pathways and strategies to support advanced learners. Participants examined instructional materials, pacing guides, and student data to help ensure engaging, rigorous learning experiences for students ready to go beyond grade-level content. Thank you to everyone who attended and invested in preparing the next generation of science learners! 🔬🚀 #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #ScienceEducation #HonorsScience #FutureReadyStudents

Today’s Beyond the Bookshelves workshop empowered library media specialists with practical AI tools to enhance learning, streamline organization, and support student engagement. Participants explored ways to create stronger prompts, develop engaging reading activities, support diverse learners, and leverage AI for research, planning, and collection management. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this innovative day of learning! 📚✨ #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #AILiteracy #LibraryMediaSpecialists #FutureReadyLibraries

Educators spent the day exploring the power of creativity and innovation at GFESC's The Creative Equation: STEM + Arts = Engagement workshop! Through hands-on activities centered around balance, participants discovered new ways to connect STEAM concepts, encourage critical thinking, and spark student curiosity. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of creating, exploring, and reimagining learning! 🎨⚙️🔬 #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #STEAMEducation #ArkansasAPlus