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

Today, educators at GFESC explored practical strategies for strengthening executive functioning skills in the classroom during Built, Not Born: Teaching Executive Function Skills. Participants gained valuable tools to support organization, self-monitoring, emotional regulation, and other essential skills that help students thrive. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a day of learning and growth! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #ExecutiveFunctioning #StudentSuccess

Two impactful days of professional learning came to a close today as educators deepened their knowledge of effective writing instruction for grades 3–10. Participants explored ATLAS writing data, Arkansas standards alignment, and the new six-point ATLAS writing rubric while analyzing student writing samples and developing strategies to support student growth. Thank you to everyone who attended and to Arkansas Department of Education presenters Sandy Shepard and Dallas Henderson for leading this valuable professional learning experience. #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #ATLASWriting #ArkansasEducators

Educators spent the day today exploring how assessment can drive meaningful science instruction here at GFESC! Participants learned how to use ATLAS Achievement Level Descriptors (ALDs), analyze assessment data, and strengthen alignment to performance expectations while examining examples of 3D assessment items. Thank you to Amber Cobb for leading this engaging and informative professional learning session! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #ScienceEducation #ATLASScience

Two days of coding, creativity, and game design wrapped up yesterday! Educators explored Python and Pygame fundamentals while building a Snake game from scratch, learning coding concepts, game development principles, and strategies for bringing engaging computer science experiences into their classrooms. Thank you to everyone who participated in this exciting hands-on learning opportunity! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #GFESC #ComputerScience #Pygame #GameDevelopment #CodingEducation

Today at GFESC, participants completed the AHA CPR Instructor Certification course, gaining the knowledge and skills needed to train others in lifesaving CPR, AED, and first aid techniques. Thank you to Emergency Education Associates for providing this valuable training and to all attendees for their commitment to building safer communities. #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #CPRInstructor #LifeSavingSkills #AHATraining

The final day of TESS Observation Training wrapped up today at GFESC! Over the past three days, participants have strengthened their skills in observing instruction, collecting evidence, calibrating ratings, and delivering feedback that supports teacher growth and student achievement. Thank you to everyone who invested their time in this valuable professional learning experience! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #TESSTraining #EducationalLeadership #TeacherGrowth

Today, educators traded the classroom for the outdoors at Lake Fort Smith State Park during the Rocks, Ridges, and Reservoirs workshop! Participants explored the geology, natural history, and water resources of the Boston Mountains while discovering ways to create meaningful, curriculum-connected field trip experiences for their students. Thank you to the Arkansas State Park Interpreters for sharing their expertise and helping educators connect learning to Arkansas’s natural heritage. Special thanks to the Park Interpreters: Jill McMahan from Greenwood School District and Chad Lowe with the Arkansas Game and Fish. #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #LakeFortSmithStatePark #OutdoorLearning #ArkansasEducation #FieldTripReady

Two days of learning, reflection, and growth wrapped up today at GFESC during the 3-6 RISE training! Participants explored the foundations of reading, including phonological awareness, phonics, word recognition, and effective instructional practices to support student literacy success. Thank you to all the educators who invested their time in strengthening reading instruction for students across our region. We'll see you back next week for more learning! #BetterTogether #ConnectGrowServe #RISEArkansas #LiteracyMatters #ScienceOfReading