Teach Arkansas campaign receives new push from state, nonprofit

The Arkansas Department of Education’s Division of Elementary and Secondary Education and Forward Arkansas, a statewide education nonprofit organization, are dusting off the state’s previously existing Teach Arkansas campaign.

The revitalized Teach Arkansas campaign is meant to encourage more Arkansans to enter the teaching profession, in part by highlighting the pathways and financial incentives to becoming a teacher.

“All Arkansans agree that our students deserve a quality education,” Arkansas Education Secretary Johnny Key said. “For this to become a reality, schools across the state must be fully staffed with highly-qualified teachers. Teach Arkansas aims to encourage existing teachers to continue their careers while inspiring high school and college students and professionals in other fields to join them in shaping the lives of our state’s future leaders.”

As part of the rebrand, a new website — TeachArkansas.org — has been developed to provide current and future teachers an easily accessible hub for career resources. Teachers can find professional development opportunities to increase their existing skills and income. High school and college students can learn how to enter the teaching profession, and potential career- changers can learn about affordable pathways to the classroom. There are ways that teacher candidates can obtain a four-year degree plus teaching license at no cost to them.

In addition to a new website, one- on- one coaching with professionals trained in guiding current and future teachers through paths to licensure or career advancement also are available. Career advisers’ contact information can be accessed through TeachArkansas.org.

“Teach Arkansas makes it easier than ever before for current teachers to pinpoint opportunities for career advancement and, for those interested in becoming teachers, to identify paths to the classroom that work for them and financial incentives and career coaching to help them get there,” said Ben Kutylo, executive director of Forward Arkansas.

Additional resources, including a debt-free tuition calculator and a “choose your path to teacher licensure” tool, are available at TeachArkansas.org.