Today's SPED Eligibility workshop at GFESC, led by Rebecca Ballard, provided educators with a deeper understanding of Arkansas's 12 special education disability categories and the required evaluation components for each. Thank you to Rebecca for sharing her expertise and to everyone who participated in strengthening their knowledge to better support students! 💙📚 #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #SpecialEducation #ProfessionalLearning

Over the past two days, educators joined us at GFESC to explore Unlocking Rigor: Practical Application of Webb's Depth of Knowledge (DOK) with dedicated Elementary (K–5) and Secondary (6–12) sessions. Participants gained practical strategies for increasing rigor, strengthening instructional coherence, and creating standards-aligned learning experiences for all students. Thank you to everyone who attended and invested in improving teaching and learning! 📚✨ #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #WebbsDOK #InstructionalRigor #ProfessionalLearning

Today at GFESC, Lindsay Reed led LAUNCH for Students (LFS) Facilitator Training, equipping facilitators with the knowledge and tools needed to support successful implementation at the school and district levels. Participants explored key program components, the tiered support structure, and processes for documenting and escalating issues. Thank you to Lindsay and everyone who participated! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #LAUNCHforStudents #ProfessionalLearning

Over the past two days, educators at GFESC strengthened their literacy instruction through Sonday System 1 & 2 training. Participants explored multisensory, Orton-Gillingham-based strategies and gained hands-on experience with practical tools to support struggling readers in phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Thank you to everyone who joined us and invested in helping students become confident, successful readers! 📚✨ #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #ScienceOfReading #Literacy #ProfessionalLearning

Today at GFESC, district points of contact gathered for District Point of Contact Information – Novice to learn about supporting mentor and novice teachers throughout the school year. Participants reviewed roles, responsibilities, available cooperative support, and key resources to help build a successful foundation for new educators. A special thank you to Angela Miller, Kelly Burns, and Jennifer King for leading today's informative session! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #NoviceTeachers #ProfessionalLearning

Over the past two days, new school nurses joined us at GFESC for Novice School Nurse Training! 🩺 Participants explored the essential roles and responsibilities of school nursing, learned about state requirements and reporting, and gained valuable resources to support a successful start to the school year. A special thank you to Tracy Starks and Katelyn Chambers for leading this informative training and helping prepare our newest school nurses for success! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #SchoolNurses #ProfessionalLearning

It was a full day of learning at GFESC! ➕📊 Educators explored ATLAS Classroom Tools to strengthen instruction and assessment in mathematics, then spent the afternoon focusing on effective math intervention strategies to help close learning gaps and support student success. Thank you to everyone who joined us in building stronger math classrooms! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #MathEducation #MathIntervention #ATLASClassroom #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentAchievement #TeacherTools #ArkansasEducation #SupportingEducators

Great writing starts with great instruction! ✏️📚 Today's Building Writers All Day Long: K–2 Strategies that Stick workshop, led by Candy Goff and Leslie Battles, gave educators practical, ready-to-use strategies for embedding meaningful writing into every part of the school day. Thank you to everyone who joined us to strengthen writing instruction and empower our youngest learners! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #BuildingWriters #EarlyLiteracy #WritingInstruction #K2Education #HQIM #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherTools #ArkansasEducation

Educators explored the power of AI in today's MagicSchool AI for Computer Science workshop! 💻🤖 Participants discovered how to use MagicSchool AI to create engaging coding activities, simplify complex computer science concepts, and design dynamic learning experiences for students. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of innovation and learning! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #MagicSchoolAI #ComputerScience #ArtificialIntelligence #Coding #STEMEducation #EdTech #FutureReady #ProfessionalDevelopment #ArkansasEducation

Supporting new teachers starts with strong mentors! 🍎🤝 Today's GFESC Mentoring Meeting, led by Angela Miller, Jennifer King, and Kelly Burns, equipped experienced educators with the tools and strategies to guide, encourage, and inspire novice teachers. Thank you to our presenters and participants for investing in the success of the next generation of educators! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #TeacherMentors #MentorTeachers #NewTeacherSupport #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherLeadership #GrowTogether #ArkansasEducation #SupportingEducators

Today's You Want Me to Do What? Modifications and Accommodations in the Classroom workshop, led by Kris Shinn, gave educators practical tools to better support every learner. 🍎 Participants explored the legal requirements, their role in implementing accommodations and modifications, creative classroom strategies, and effective ways to document student progress. Thank you to Kris for sharing valuable insights that will make a lasting impact in classrooms across our region! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #SpecialEducation #InclusiveEducation #Accommodations #Modifications #ProfessionalDevelopment #TeacherTools #StudentSuccess #ArkansasEducation

That's a wrap on our 6-day K-2 RISE professional learning series! 📚🍎 This week, educators completed Days 5 and 6, diving into vocabulary development, oral language, and reading comprehension while exploring practical strategies to help young learners become confident, successful readers. Thank you to Arkansas Department of Education staff Sandy Shepard and Dallas Henderson for leading this outstanding series and sharing their expertise with educators from across our region. Thank you to everyone who participated and invested in strengthening literacy instruction for Arkansas students! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #K2RISE #ScienceOfReading #EarlyLiteracy #ReadingSuccess #LiteracyMatters #ProfessionalDevelopment #ArkansasEducation #SupportingEducators #FutureReaders

Creativity and technology came together yesterday and today at GFESC during Making with CS: Creating, Coding, and Teaching How AI Learns! 🤖🎨 Educators explored hands-on ways to teach coding, computer science, and the basics of artificial intelligence through creative, engaging activities that students will love. We can't wait to see these innovative ideas come to life in classrooms across our region! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #ComputerScience #Coding #ArtificialIntelligence #STEMEducation #FutureReady #InnovationInEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #ArkansasEducation

Today we welcomed school nurses from across our region for the GFESC Back to School Nurse Workshop led by Katelyn Chambers! 🩺 Participants received important back-to-school updates, reviewed changes to laws and requirements, and gained valuable information to help them prepare for a successful school year. Thank you to all who attended and to Katelyn for leading another informative session! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #SchoolNurses #BacktoSchool

Every student deserves to feel seen, valued, and connected. 💙 Today's Reeling in the Outcast Student workshop, led by Karen Grady, equipped educators with practical strategies to engage disconnected learners, build meaningful relationships, and create classrooms where every student has a sense of belonging. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this impactful day of learning! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #StudentSuccess #EducatorSupport #BelongingMatters #PositiveClassrooms #EveryStudentCounts #ArkansasEducation

Math educators spent the day at GFESC with Candice Cumbie and Sheila Masingale, exploring ATLAS Classroom tools to strengthen instruction and assessment while also diving into effective math intervention strategies and Math Intervention Plans. Participants left with practical resources and strategies to better support student learning and achievement. Thank you to both presenters for an engaging day of professional learning! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #ATLAS

Today at GFESC, participants completed CPI Certification Training with Karen Grady, building the skills and confidence to safely and effectively respond to crisis situations using nonviolent intervention strategies. Thank you, Karen, for leading this valuable training and helping educators promote the care, welfare, safety, and security of everyone involved. 💙 #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #CPItraining

What a great way to wrap up an incredible week! 🎉 On the final day of our 5-day Early Childhood workshop on Friday, participants finished with CPI, Sensory Solutions for the PreK Classroom, and Roadmap to Readiness. We also welcomed special guests from A-State, who shared valuable sessions on Themes for PreK and High Contrast for Infants. Thank you to everyone who joined us this week for all the learning, laughter, and fun! A special thank you to Elizabeth Churchman for organizing a fantastic week of professional learning. 💙 #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #EarlyChildhood

Today, educators took learning beyond the classroom during Into the Outdoors at Petit Jean State Park! 🌿🪨 Led by Amber Cobb, participants explored Arkansas's incredible geology, ecosystems, and natural history through hands-on investigations at Rock House Cave, Bear Hollow, and Cedar Falls Overlook. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of discovery, exploration, and outdoor learning! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC

Today at GFESC, school nurses and health professionals sharpened their skills during the Hearing, Vision, BMI, and Scoliosis Training! 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ Thank you to Katelyn Chambers for leading this important training and to everyone who participated in helping ensure Arkansas students receive the required health screenings with confidence and care. #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #SchoolNurses #StudentHealth #ProfessionalDevelopment #ArkansasEducation