Office of Innovation for Education

The journey continues! 🚕💨

Our 3rd Road to Rally stop is coming to Little Rock on September 10. Join educators from across Arkansas for a day focused on engaging students, enhancing learning, and sharing real-world practices that make a difference.

🚦Save the date and register now: bit.ly/Road2Rally

Stay tuned for additional details this summer!

What happens when passionate educators, coaches, leaders, and learners come together in one place?

✨ New ideas emerge.
✨ Meaningful connections form.
✨ Practice deepens.
✨ Inspiration spreads.

Coaching Convergence 2026 brought together educators from across Arkansas and beyond for two incredible days of learning, reflection, and collaboration in Little Rock.

From thought-provoking TEDxCapitol View talks to immersive citywide breakout experiences, powerful keynote sessions, and team learning opportunities, participants explored what it means to coach for growth, lead with purpose, and create lasting impact in schools and communities.

Thank you to our speakers, facilitators, partners, and every attendee who contributed their energy, expertise, and curiosity to this year's event. Your willingness to learn alongside one another is what makes this community so special.

We're leaving inspired, energized, and excited for what's ahead!

✨ TEDxCapitolView 2026 ✨

What an incredible evening of ideas, inspiration, and connection at TEDxCapitolView.

This year's speakers challenged us to rethink leadership, learning, and human potential through powerful stories and thought-provoking insights:

🎤 Vandy Moore shared "Less and Slow," encouraging us to push back against the relentless pace of modern education and embrace a slower, more intentional approach that creates space for deeper learning and meaningful connection.

🎤 Dr. Melanie Desmuke presented "Soul Scholar: The Missing Lever in Education," reminding us that growth flourishes when people feel seen, valued, and connected, and that learning is ultimately a deeply human experience.

🎤 Alana Ashworth challenged us with "Who is Carrying the Learning?" exploring the difference between helping and over-helping and demonstrating how productive struggle helps build confidence, independence, and resilience.

🎤 Wayne Levering inspired us through "Searching for Quintessence," inviting us to see students through a new lens and recognize the courage, complexity, and extraordinary potential that exists within every learner.

Beyond the stage, TEDxCapitolView brought together educators, leaders, innovators, and community members who share a commitment to creating meaningful change. Powerful ideas don't end when the talk is over—they continue through the actions we take and the communities we build.

A huge thank you to our speakers, attendees, volunteers, partners, and planning team for making this event possible!

Couldn't make the event? Stay tuned as we share their talks in the coming months! In the meantime, enjoy a few highlights from TEDxCapitolView!

This report is more than a collection of stories and data — it’s a reflection of what happens when educators, schools, and communities commit to building better learning experiences for students across Arkansas.

Over the past year, OIE partnered with districts, teachers, and leaders across the state to strengthen instruction, build coaching systems, support innovation, and create learning environments where both students and educators can thrive. The result is measurable impact, meaningful change, and a growing network of schools willing to “color outside the lines.”

Inside this report, you’ll see the stories behind the work:
💚Schools transforming collaboration and culture
💙 Systems using data to drive meaningful decisions
💚Educators building thinking capacity through coaching
💙Communities designing learning experiences that reflect who they are and what students need most

We’re incredibly proud of what was accomplished together this year — and even more excited about what comes next.

Read the full 2026 OIE Impact Report here: tinyurl.com/OIEImpactStories2026

Celebrating 1 Year with Derrick!🎉

Please join us in celebrating Derrick Till, Ph.D., on his first anniversary with the Office of Innovation for Education! Since joining OIE as a Research Programmer and Analyst, Derrick has brought curiosity, insight, and a thoughtful approach to every project he touches. Drawing from his background in experimental and social psychology, academic research, teaching, logistics, and operations management, he helps transform data into meaningful insights that support educators and students across Arkansas. His passion for learning and problem-solving, paired with his collaborative spirit, has made him an invaluable part of our team. Outside the office, Derrick enjoys traveling, reading, cooking, outdoor activities, listening to music, playing guitar, and spending time with his dog.

When reflecting on his experience at OIE, Derrick shared:

✨“From day one the OIE team has been an amazing group of folks that support each other both professionally and personally. It's a privilege to be a part of a team with a deep passion for the work and a diverse set of high level skills... I have been inspired many times over and look forward to the future as member of OIE.”✨

Thank you, Derrick, for your dedication, collaboration, and commitment to serving educators and students. We’re so glad you’re part of the OIE team and can’t wait to see all that’s ahead!

Road to Rally stop #2 brought us to the southwest part of the state! 🚗✨

From meaningful conversations around student support systems to powerful examples of collaboration and leadership in action, this stop continued to highlight the incredible work happening across Arkansas schools. We were inspired by educators and leaders who are committed to building strong systems that help every student thrive.

A huge thank you to Dawson Education Cooperative for hosting us and to everyone who joined the conversation, shared ideas, and helped make the day a success!

We’re loving the momentum of this journey across the state and can’t wait for the next stop on September 10, 2026 in Little Rock, Arkansas. More details coming soon!💚

✨ Coaching Convergence Citywide Breakout Sessions Are Here! ✨

This year’s Coaching Convergence is bringing learning beyond the conference walls and into some of Little Rock’s favorite local spaces.

Join us on June 2 from 7:00–9:00 PM for a citywide breakout experience featuring powerful conversations, wellness, leadership, culture, and coaching with incredible facilitators across the city.

Breakout session topics include:
▪️ Cultivating Habits of Mind
▪️ Wellness + Connection
▪️ Coaching for Growth
▪️ Holonomy in Coaching
▪️ Team Culture + Transformation

📍 Locations across Little Rock including Buenos Aires Grill + Cafe, Dizzy’s, Diablo’s, Samantha’s Tap Room, and Copper Grill.

⚠️ Important: You must register for Coaching Convergence BEFORE signing up for a citywide breakout session.

1️⃣ Register for Coaching Convergence here:
bit.ly/Convergence2026

2️⃣ Learn more and reserve your breakout session spot here:
https://forms.gle/gerTGG81A9Ek8T6y7

Space is limited for each session, so be sure to sign up early!

If you’ve been wanting to strengthen your team or grow your leadership skills, this is your sign. The Adaptive Schools Seminar is one of the most practical, impactful professional learning experiences out there.

Great schools don’t happen by chance — they’re built by strong, collaborative teams.

The Adaptive Schools Summer Seminar is your opportunity to grow as a leader, strengthen collaboration, and guide your team through change with confidence.

✨ Leading Effective Teams
✨ Facilitating Rich Dialogue
✨ Building Collaborative Culture
✨ Navigating Change & Conflict

📅 June 8–9 & June 15–16, 2026
📍 NWA Education Service Cooperative

Spots fill quickly — join us this summer!
Register 👉 https://bit.ly/3MflWZl

We’re excited to introduce our 2026 TEDx Capitol View speaker lineup!🎤

This year’s speakers bring powerful stories and fresh perspectives on education, leadership, and what it truly means to grow—both as learners and as people. From slowing down to create deeper connections, to rethinking student ownership, to redefining how we see potential in others, each talk is designed to challenge, inspire, and spark meaningful change.

Get to know each of our speakers and the ideas they’ll be sharing here:
👉 https://bit.ly/42yfIIo

Ready to experience it in person?
👉 Register now: https://bit.ly/4uGh4g5