Office of Innovation for Education

We're continuing to share stories from our annual impact report, and this week we're spotlighting Mulberry High School.

For a small rural school, collaboration can come with unique challenges. With many singleton teachers, limited planning time, and data conversations that lacked structure, Mulberry needed systems that could make collaboration more focused and useful.

Through a sustained partnership with OIE, the school built shared planning structures, developed tools for using data consistently, strengthened intervention, and aligned instructional priorities.

The result? Teachers are working with greater clarity and purpose, data conversations are more focused, and student support is more targeted and efficient.

As teacher Amanda Fain shared:
"What once felt like meeting time is now a structured, purpose-driven system focused on student outcomes. Clear protocols and shared goals have made our collaboration more focused and productive."

Read the full story: tinyurl.com/OIEImpactStories2026

What if professional learning felt as engaging as the classrooms we want students to create? That's exactly what you'll experience at the next stop on our Road to Rally!

Join us in Little Rock for a day of immersive learning with Alia Pope, live classroom visits at eStem Public Charter Schools, an inspiring panel of educators from Arkansas A+ Schools, choice breakout sessions, and a collaborative Learning Lab designed to help you turn inspiration into action.

🚗 Come experience learning.
💡 Leave with ideas you can use.
🎟️ Register today—bit.ly/Road2Rally

Registration is now open for Cognitive Coaching® Training Seminars across Arkansas!🤩

If you're ready to sharpen your coaching skills, deepen reflective conversations, and support meaningful professional growth, Cognitive Coaching® is for you!

📍 Northwest Arkansas (Farmington) – Begins September 29
📍 Northeast Arkansas (Walnut Ridge) – Begins October 13
📍 Central Arkansas (Plumerville) – Begins October 27

Whether you're an instructional coach, administrator, mentor, or teacher leader, Cognitive Coaching® provides research-based strategies that transform the way you support others.

🔗 Learn more and register: www.escweb.net/ar_esc/
--
Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
NEA Education Cooperative
Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative

Next in our impact story series: Leverett Elementary School in Fayetteville, where a strong school culture didn't happen by chance—it was built with intention.

When Leverett Elementary faced high staff turnover and the challenge of building a unified culture, school leaders partnered with OIE to define what they believed, what they valued, and the kind of school they wanted to become. Through coaching, professional learning, and staff-led design, they created a shared identity that continues to guide their decisions and strengthen their community.

The results speak for themselves:
✨ Zero teacher turnover this year
✨ A stronger sense of belonging among staff
✨ Clear, shared beliefs and values
✨ A unified direction for the future

As Principal Christie Cremo shared:
"We now have a clear process for aligning our beliefs, guiding our decisions, and shaping the experiences we want for students."

When educators have a shared sense of purpose, they create schools where people want to stay—and where students thrive.

Read the full impact story — tinyurl.com/OIEImpactStories2026

Happy one-year OIE anniversary to Brittany!🎉

Please join us in celebrating Brittany Holeyfield on her first anniversary with OIE! Since beginning her career in education in 2008, Brittany has served as a teacher, instructional coach, and building learning coordinator before bringing her passion for collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement to OIE. Today, she partners with educators and school leaders across Arkansas to support professional learning, coaching, leadership development, and student success. Outside of work, Brittany enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her daughter in her activities, traveling, reading, camping, and serving alongside her church community.

When reflecting on her first year at OIE, Brittany shared:

✨ “One year with OIE! I’m incredibly grateful for a team that welcomed me from day one and provided opportunities to contribute to meaningful, challenging work that impacts educators, schools, and students across Arkansas. This year has been filled with learning, growth, collaboration, and purpose, and I’m thankful to be part of an organization committed to making a difference throughout our state.” ✨

Thank you, Brittany, for an incredible first year—we're grateful for your dedication to Arkansas educators and excited to see the impact you'll continue to make!

This week, we're spotlighting Cognitive Coaching® from our recent release of Impact Stories.

Great coaching isn't about having all the answers—it's about asking the right questions.

Through Cognitive Coaching seminars and ongoing collaboratives, OIE is helping educators strengthen their ability to think, reflect, and make informed decisions. By shifting from advice-giving to capacity-building, educators become more self-directed, collaborative, and responsive to the needs of their students.

The impact is both individual and systemic:
✨ More than 150 educators trained across multiple districts and roles
✨ 30+ cohorts and growing
✨ 93% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that the experience enhanced their knowledge, skills, and confidence

One participant shared:
"Our trainers really made this a mind shift. I was forced into uncomfortable situations a few times—but when I came out on the other end, I was inspired to implement my new learning."

When we invest in educators' thinking, we strengthen schools for the long term.

Read the full impact story—and explore our complete impact report—here: tinyurl.com/OIEImpactStories2026

Recently, we shared our 2026 Impact Report. Now, we're taking a closer look at some of the stories behind the work—highlighting the schools, educators, and leaders who are creating meaningful change for students across Arkansas.

At West Side Elementary, PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) were once a source of frustration. Through a sustained partnership with OIE, school leaders and teachers rebuilt the structure, purpose, and practices of their PLCs—creating a culture where collaboration is meaningful, decisions are guided by data, and student needs stay at the center.

Today, every grade level engages in structured PLCs, teachers collaborate with clarity and purpose, and leadership has greater visibility into student learning gaps.

As Principal Dr. CT Erickson shared:
"Teachers are confident in using data. Our instruction is better, teachers work together with processes in place, and I truly feel like I have the world's greatest support in my corner when new problems arise."

Read the full impact story—and explore our complete impact report—here: tinyurl.com/OIEImpactStories2026
--
The West Side School District

Celebrating 1 Year with Sarah at OIE! 🎉

Please join us in celebrating Sarah Caudle on her first anniversary with us! After 17 years in the classroom, Sarah brought her passion for learning, educator support, and school improvement to OIE, where she continues to make a meaningful impact. With degrees in Middle Level Education and Learning Theory & Practice, credentials as a Certified Dyslexia Therapist and Habits of Mind trainer, and a deep commitment to helping educators grow, Sarah approaches her work with both expertise and heart. Her dedication to supporting schools and fostering continuous learning has made her a valued member of our team. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys attending concerts and plays, traveling to new destinations, exploring local treasures, and spending time with her family.

When reflecting on her experience at OIE, Sarah shared:

✨ “Joining OIE has given me a renewed sense of purpose. One of my favorite parts of this work is seeing the amazing things educators across Arkansas are doing for students every day and having the opportunity to support that work. I've learned so much about coaching, collaboration, and assessment, and I'm thankful for a team that has encouraged me, challenged me, and helped me grow along the way.” ✨

Thank you, Sarah, for your passion, encouragement, and commitment to supporting educators across Arkansas. We're grateful for all you've contributed in your first year and look forward to what’s ahead!

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!