🚀 OUR Co-Op’s Inaugural STEM Fair 🚀
We are proud to celebrate the success of OUR Co-Op’s first-ever STEM Fair, a reimagined event designed to replace the traditional science fair and better reflect real-world skills, industry connections, and student independence.
This innovative fair was developed and led by OUR Co-Op Science Specialist Gwen Rains, with the support of an outstanding committee of science educators:
• Lee Hawkins (Flippin)
• Shaanti Odell (Berryville)
• Jesse Wilcoxson (Cotter)
• Roger Rose (Alpena)
• Trevor Smith (Deer/Mt. Judea)
✨ Why this STEM Fair mattered:
- Highlighted real-world problem-solving and applied skills
- Connected student learning directly to industry
- Created an equitable competition—students worked independently with no outside assistance once the event began
- Truly tested individual knowledge and skills
👩🔬👨🔧 Student & District Impact:
193 students from 8 participating districts
🤝 On-Site Industry Support:
Carroll Electric • Petit Jean Electric • City of Harrison • ARDOT • Wabash • Arkansas Game & Fish
🧪 Judges:
North Arkansas College • DCTE • ADE • OUR Co-Op • Science Teachers
A special thank you to North Arkansas College for generously providing the competition location and supporting this event.
Thank you to every student, teacher, partner, and sponsor who helped make this inaugural STEM Fair a meaningful and memorable experience. This event represents the future of STEM learning—authentic, equitable, and connected to opportunity. 🌟
Our team wrapped gifts for the local Angel Tree and delivered them to the Boone County Sheriff’s Office to help brighten Christmas for local families.
From all of us at OUR Educational Cooperative — Happy Thanksgiving!🦃
As you celebrate today, try a few simple ways to slow down, connect, and make memories together:
🧡 Share what you’re grateful for
📖 Tell family stories
🎲 Play a board game or card game together
🍴 Cook or bake as a family
📷 Look through family photos or albums
🎨 Make handmade cards or crafts
🧩 Work on a puzzle together
💬 Write or share gratitude notes
🌾 Volunteer or perform an act of service
🕯️ Unplug from screens for an hour
🖼️ Create a family gratitude tree (write what you’re thankful for on leaves and hang them)
✍️ Write letters to friends or relatives you’re thankful for
🎬 Watch a favorite family movie together
🌟 Make a “thankful jar” to collect notes of gratitude throughout the day
🎶 Have a family sing-along or dance party
🍪 Have a dessert decorating contest or themed treat activity
🗺️ Go on a neighborhood or park “nature hunt” to explore the outdoors
💬 Compliment round – each person says something kind about another family member
🎨 Quiet creative time – sketch, color, or craft something reflective
📚 Read or listen to a book together – pick a family favorite or a Thanksgiving-themed story
🎧 Listen to a podcast – family-friendly options about gratitude, storytelling, or fun learning
🌙 Evening reflection circle – everyone shares their favorite moment of the day
🛌 Bedtime gratitude journaling – each person writes 1–3 things they appreciated
🧘 Family yoga or stretching – short session to relax together
🖼️ Memory slideshow – look at photos from past holidays and reminisce
⚽ Outdoor games – catch, kickball, mini-golf, cornhole
🎭 Storytelling or creating a family puppet show or comic
🍞 Bake extra food to share with neighbors or donate
📦 Prepare care packages for a local foodbank
📹 Video call or send messages to distant family/friends
"Mr. Clary is the epitome of a role model for our students... truly loves what he does and his students. In return, they feel it and love his classes... He expects hard work from his students and they try tirelessly to work up to his expectations because he models the work and has the knowledge and understanding for students to see and mimic. He would never just sit back and direct....He never plays favorites... He really is more like the father role-model that most of them are craving. He is a true treasure for the Lead Hill students and his family as well!"
"What makes this worth celebrating is not only the immediate impact students achieving success and a colleague gaining confidence, but also the lasting influence Abe has had over his years of dedicated service. His efforts have strengthened our culture of teamwork, inspired professional growth among staff, and improved the overall student experience. Thank you, Abe, for your outstanding leadership, mentorship, and commitment. Your impact will be felt for years to come"
👏 Let’s celebrate Abe’s unwavering dedication to transforming student lives, revitalizing the agriculture program, and uplifting the entire Lead Hill community in the process!
Flippin Elementary has been awarded $9,952.96 through the Commitment to Excellence in STEM Grant from the Arkansas STEM Coalition!
We want to proudly recognize OUR Co-op Science Specialist, Gwen Rains, who played a major role in writing this grant in collaboration with Flippin Elementary.
At the OUR Co-op, we proudly support our schools and believe in going above and beyond to bring meaningful opportunities to students. This partnership is a great example of what we can accomplish together!
#OURCoop #yourBESTsolution #OURScience #STEMGrants #ArkansasSTEM #EducationCollaboration
“She went out of her way to coach me through new teacher struggles—taking time out of her busy day to Zoom with me one-on-one and offering practical classroom solutions.”
ROLC’s Pastor Kristy Thomas shared meaningful insight on managing burnout in helping professions 🧠, and Alyssa Dean from Chenal Family Therapy guided open conversations where educators could share challenges, gain perspective, and leave feeling encouraged and energized s 💬. OUR’s Emilee Tucker provided a home-cooked lunch 🍲 plus sessions on cooking and AI-powered meal planning 🤖, OUR's Anne Cowie led a light outdoor yoga session 🧘♀️. Deanna Franks with CarClay Creations/Cotter High School guided a painting session🎨.
Participants left feeling supported, motivated, and ready to return to their schools with renewed energy and perspective. 🌿✨
#OURCoop #TeacherRetention #SchoolCulture #YourBESTSolution
#OURCoOp #YourBESTSolution #DESE #SchoolImprovement #DataDriven
We’re Hiring: Early Childhood Special Education Teacher! 🌟
Do you love helping young children grow, learn, and thrive? We’re looking for a Certified Early Childhood Special Education Teacher to join our amazing team!
What You’ll Do:
✅ Create and implement IEPs for children ages 3–5
✅ Support learning in communication, social-emotional, cognitive, and self-help skills
✅ Track progress and celebrate every success
You Should Have:
🎓 ECSE Certification
💡 Experience working with young children with developmental delays or disabilities
🤝 Strong communication & teamwork skills
💛 Passion for making a difference in children’s lives
Why Join Us?
✨ Supportive, fun, and collaborative team
✨ Opportunities for professional growth
✨ Competitive salary & benefits
📩 Apply today! Send your resume & cover letter to lannab@oursc.k12.ar.us or complete application online and send via email.
On Monday, the OUR Education Service Co-op hosted a training session for school board members. Presented by staff from the Arkansas Public School Resource Center, the session addressed topics including legislative changes from the 2025 General Session, school finance and budgeting, and interpreting audit reports.
Last week, Dr. Candra Brasel, Mentoring Program Specialist, facilitated the first Principals’ Meeting of the year for OUR Education Service Co-op leaders. The agenda included building support systems, interpreting test data, ethics, professional growth plans (PGPs), the Start-Stop-Continue Reflection Tool, and strategies for relationship building. In addition, Dr. Gwen Rains, Science Specialist, and Stephanie Huddleston, Math Specialist, shared information on the Classroom Walkthrough Tools for Math and Science. Principals also engaged in grade-level collaboration to address current issues and priorities.
It was inspiring to see so many new educators eager to learn, grow, and pour into their students. These new CTE teachers spent the day gaining classroom strategies, curriculum tools, and CTSO advising tips to help them start strong.
We are grateful for their energy and commitment—and excited to see the impact they’ll make this year. 👏💡🔧💻✂️
#OURCoop #OURcte #yourBESTsolution #CTE #ARcte #TeacherSuccess #NewTeachers
This study is designed to give educators a safe, supportive space to explore realistic strategies that strengthen both personal well-being and professional growth.
👉 Register here: http://bit.ly/4gSYsUK
📧 Questions? Contact Emilee Tucker at etucker@oursc.k12.ar.us or 870-302-3093
