GFESC was pleased to host our monthly Counselors Meeting today!
This meeting provides an opportunity for counselors from across our region to receive important updates, collaborate with one another, and learn from guest speakers on relevant and timely topics. We had many that attended through zoom today, we appreciate the dedication our counselors show in supporting students’ academic success, well-being, and future goals.
#GFESC #CouselorMeeting #ProfessionalLearning
More of Van Buren School District’s new teachers jumping into second semester with confidence and heart♥️
Over the past three days, educators participated in the GFESC Infant/Toddler CLASS Observer Certification Training. This multi-day training prepared learners to become certified, reliable CLASS observers by building a strong understanding of the CLASS 2nd Edition Infant–Toddler tool. Participants practiced observing and scoring real classroom interactions, learned key observer responsibilities, and strengthened observation practices that reduce bias. A great three days of learning and professional growth!
#GFESC #EarlyChildhoodEducation #StrongerTogether
Secondary principals from across the region met at GFESC today for our monthly meeting. The day focused on collaboration, sharing updates, and discussing strategies to support students, staff, and school success. Always a valuable time to connect and work together!
#GFESC #SecondaryPrincipals #ConnectGrowServe
Van Buren School District’s newest teachers creating success in the classroom.
Elementary principals from across the region gathered at GFESC today for our monthly meeting. A great time for collaboration, sharing updates, and discussing strategies to support students, staff, and schools. Always valuable to connect and learn together!
#GFESC #ElementaryPrincipals #BetterTogether
Federal Programs Coordinators and Curriculum Coordinators gathered on the GFESC campus today for their monthly meeting, followed by an AR App Workday this afternoon.
In partnership with DESE, Education Service Cooperatives are supporting districts through a series of hands-on workdays from January–May to guide the AR App process. Each session focuses on a different component, helping districts conduct comprehensive needs assessments, analyze data, build AR App teams, and write goals and actions aligned to district needs.
Productive collaboration and meaningful planning to support high-quality district strategic plans—great work today! 👏
#GFESC #FederalPrograms #EducationCollaboration
Full house this past Saturday for ArPEP Year 1-2 at GFESC!
Excited to have had the Jr High 5A and up tournament on site today at GFESC! We had 12 teams onsite today: Alma: Middle and Freshmen teams. Fort Smith: Southside Freshman, Northside Freshman, Kimmons, Ramsey, Darby, Chaffin. Greenwood: Freshman and Jr High. Van Buren: Northridge and Butterfield
These teams were full of enthusiasm and competitive spirit. We had some coin tosses for tiebreakers after rounds and lots of encouragement for each other. Parents, Districts, and communities should be so proud of these students!!
First Place: Fort Smith Southside Freshman
Second Place: Van Buren Northridge
Third Place: Greenwood Freshman
Better Luck Next Time - Ramsey
MVP: Chase Wilson - Alma Freshman Team
#GFESC #QuizBowl #ThinkFast
GFESC's Accelerating Student Outcomes Leadership Team got to visit Waldron Middle School today. We visited classrooms and collaborated on ways to Accelerate!! Big Fun~~Go Bulldogs!!
#GFESC #ASO #WaldronBulldogs
Monthly Board and Superintendent's Meeting today. We enjoyed having our fantastic leaders come together to lead, learn and collaborate. We covered accelerating student outcomes, third grade promotion requirements, cybersecurity, legislative issues, specialist data overview and much more.
Ozark School District’s new teachers are working hard for students were Hillbilly pride runs deep.
What an amazing day at the GFESC's Jr High 4A and Below Quiz Bowl Tournament!! We had teams from Booneville, Charleston, Cedarville, Lavaca, Lamar, Mansfield, Mountainburg, Ozark, Paris, Scranton, Waldron, and West Fork competing today. These teams were rockstars! From competition and sportsmanship to supporting team members and good citizenship in caring for the facility, they made their schools, parents, and communities proud today. We even had a tie for the Better Luck Next Time tournament between Scranton and Mansfield, which was decided by one player from each team answering a winner-take-all trophy question in front of EVERYONE! What great competitors!! #GFESC #QuizBowl #StudentSuccess
1st - Ozark
2nd - Lavaca
3rd- Cedarville
Better Luck Next Time - Scranton
MVP - Joah Smith - Ozark
Paris School Distircts’ newest teachers and their students are ready for 2nd semester!
GFESC's Accelerating Student Outcome Leadership Team visited Ozark Middle School and Ozark Junior High School today. They got to visit classrooms and collaborate on ways to Accelerate!! Big Fun~~Go Hillbillies!!
#GFESC #ASO #OzarkHillbillies
We held the GT Educator Meeting today at GFESC! GT educators came together to collaborate, hear from guest speakers, and work through technical questions to better support gifted learners across our schools.
#GFESC #GTteachers #CollaborationInAction
GFESC hosted a two-day AR THRIVE Leader Academy for building-level leaders, counselors, and teachers working directly with student behavior in K–12 settings.
This academy focused on strengthening schoolwide systems to support student behavior and mental health—both proactively and reactively. Participants explored practical strategies for prevention, de-escalation, and positive behavioral support while building structures that intentionally teach academic and social behaviors.
Topics included:
✔️ Recognizing internal and external biases related to behavior
✔️ Identifying signs of trauma or distress impacting student behavior
✔️ Establishing a multi-tiered system of support for ALL students
✔️ Reinforcing desirable behaviors to effectively address challenging behaviors
We are proud to support our schools as they continue building safe, supportive learning environments for every student.
#GFESC #THRIVE #BetterTogether
GFESC's Accelerating Student Outcomes Leadership team visiting Paris High School this morning! They got to visit classrooms and collaborate on ways to accelerate!!
Big Fun~~Go Eagles!!
#GFESC #ASO #ParisEagles
Cedarville novice teachers are ready for 2026!
Mountainburg High School’s newest teacher Mr. Gray creating writers
