🙌 Big thanks to all the OUR schools that attended last Friday’s DCTE Pathway Revision Guide Meeting led by Director White — we had an incredible turnout!
It’s an exciting time for CTE in Arkansas, and we appreciate the counselors, administrators, and teachers who are leading the way in navigating these important changes.
#yourBESTsolution #OUR #ourCTE #PathwayRevisions #CareerReady #FutureReady
North Central Arkansas's FIRST Draft Day! 🚀
316 students 👨🎓 21 companies 🏢 19 schools 🏫 81 interviews 🤝
Students walked away with:
- 9 full-time job offers 💼
- 2 part-time offers ⏱️
- 17 conditional offers 📝
- 34 internship opportunities 🌱
- 93 encouraged to apply online 💻
- 43 invited for facility tours 🏭
This historic first Draft Day for North Central Arkansas was made possible through the partnership of OUR Co-Op, Be Pro Be Proud, Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce, and North Central Education Co-Op.
Special thanks to Emilee Tucker for heading outreach and ensuring all OUR Co-Op schools participated in an Arkansas Draft Day event! 🌟
#yourBESTsolution #OUR #ourCTE #CareerReady #CTEWorks #BeProBeProud
Great Group of state Tech Coordinators Collaborating and presenting at the WRS Security Summit!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ARVWxDrCG/
OUR Education Co-op is hosting a free ACT Prep session for co-op area high school students on April 9, 2025. Registration can be accessed at this link: https://forms.gle/CUYAedJTcLmdVdyRA
The session is from 9:00--2:30 and will be held at the co-op which is located at 5823 Resource Drive, Harrison, AR 72601.
Students will need to bring pencil, paper, and a calculator (ideally the calculator they will use during the actual ACT test. In addition, students are asked to bring a sack lunch as well as any snacks/drinks they may want for the day.
📩 Apply Now! Join our amazing team and make an impact! Send your application, resume, transcript & license to Dr. Kim Fowler at kfowler@oursc.k12.ar.us.
#MathSpecialist #EducationJobs #NowHiring #ApplyToday
Bergman Preschool Registration
What did you do Tuesday night? These dedicated early childcare educators spent theirs learning and growing—to better serve local families! 💡👶❤️
#EarlyEd #LearnToGrow #EducationMatters #ChildcareHeroes
Congratulations to our area schools recognized through the Arkansas School Recognition Program for outstanding performance and growth/graduation rates! Your dedication to student success shines bright! 🌟
#OURCoopProud #YourBestSolution #DESEAwards2025 #ExcellenceInEducation #CelebratingAchievement #TopSchools
OUR Co-op specialists met yesterday for collaboration on best ways to serve our districts' personnel. #yourBESTsolution
Valley Springs High School CTE Students Shine: A Pathway to Success
In a rapidly evolving job market, students at Valley Springs High School are not just preparing for their futures; they are paving the way for success through innovative Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Two standout seniors, Tate Trammell and Abigail Nelle, exemplify the qualities local employers are seeking: motivation, professionalism, and a strong sense of drive.
Tate Trammell recently completed his welding program and received a welding certificate from North Arkansas College. Balancing school and work, Tate takes three classes a day at Valley Springs High School before heading to his job at Hudson Fencing and Welding, where he works 25 to 30 hours a week. “Pursuing my passion is not for everyone, but I love the freedom and income it provides,” he shared. His goal is to start his own business in the future, demonstrating the entrepreneurial spirit that CTE programs aim to cultivate.
On the other side of the CTE spectrum, Abigail Nelle is dedicated to becoming a teacher, inspired by her own educators from a young age. Previously enrolled in Pre-Educator courses as part of the Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) program, Abigail now works as a paraprofessional at Valley Springs Elementary School. Thanks to a Perkins grant through the OUR Co-Op, she earned her paraprofessional certification and is gaining invaluable experience in the classroom. “I want to learn the ropes and gather knowledge from other teachers to be more prepared for my future,” Abigail said. After graduation, she aims to pursue a teaching degree and hopes to continue her journey at Valley Springs School District.
Both students represent a generation often overlooked by employers. Their commendable attributes echo the strong work ethic and foresight reminiscent of Generation X—qualities that bridge the gap between education and employment. As the state emphasizes the importance of success-ready graduates, Tate and Abigail shine as examples of how CTE programs can transform aspirations into reality.
Their stories also highlight the significance of the LEARNS initiative in Arkansas, which aims to enhance workforce readiness and address local employment needs. With pathways leading directly to certifications and job placements, CTE students like Tate and Abigail are not only preparing for their futures but also inspiring their peers to pursue similar goals.
Both are receiving hands-on experience in high-demand, high-wage (H2) professions. Whether it's Tate honing his welding skills or Abigail gaining classroom experience, their journeys underscore the critical role CTE plays in addressing key workforce needs, from skilled trades to education.
CTE is not just preparing students for graduation; it’s shaping the future workforce—one student at a time.
#OURCoOp #OURCTE #YourBestSolution #CareerReady #PerkinsFunding #CTESuccessStories #Success-ReadyGraduates #H2 #LEARNS
Licensed Teachers:
Accepting applications for individuals who meet criteria to be a K-3 Literacy Tutor. Tutoring is held outside of the school day hours.
ATC Application: https://dese.ade.arkansas.gov/.../arkansas-tutoring-corps
Questions about becoming an Approved K-3 Literacy Tutor, please email
arkansastutoringcorps@gmail.com or you can contact Dr. Tracie Jones at jonestr@uamont.edu
🎉 This fall has been a busy and exciting semester for CTE in our region!
✔️ We hosted a Fall CTE Summit
✔️ Partnered with the NWAEDD Youth Committee to organize the "See It & Be It" Career Fair
✔️ Facilitated the Harrison Chamber BCLI Workforce Panel
✔️ Brought together state-funded and rootEd-funded Career Coaches for a collaborative meeting - including a panel discussion with Wabash, Harrison Chamber of Commerce, and Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce
✔️ Visited 13 schools with DCTE Pathway Coordinator & AR FFA State Advisor, Gordon Eichelberger
It's been great to see so much collaboration and support for our students and educators! 💪 #OURCoOp #OURCTE #YourBestSolution #CTEWorks #CareerReady
Last week, Jeff Cantrell--OUR Co-op Director and Kim Fowler--OUR Co-op Teacher Center Coordinator along with other co-op directors and teacher center coordinators from around the state had the opportunity to meet at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville. The group was provided a tour of the museum and information on opportunities for K-12 educators that are provided by the museum.
What a fantastic day! 🎉 You know it’s a good one when the kids take the lead in reminding you how to play!
Thursday the Deer/Mt. Judea Public School district’s ABC Preschool 's hosted Tonya Williams, Assistant Commissioner for the Office of Early Childhood for the Department of Education. Williams met Deer Preschool teachers Jodi Moenning, LaDonna Love and Latesha Williams before meeting with Superintendent Bill Mizaur, OUR's Director Jeff Cantrell, Early Childhood Coordinator Cindy Lambe, and Local LEADS Captain Anne Cowie for a productive visit to discuss ways to strengthen and grow this amazing community program.
We're so proud that the Deer campus is a Better Beginnings 6-Star Program – a true reflection of the hard work, dedication, and excellence of our teachers and the entire community. 💪💫
Together, we’re building brighter futures for our kids and communities! 🌟
#EarlyChildhoodExcellence #StrongerTogether #CommunityPride #BetterBeginnings #EarlyLearning #FutureLeaders #ARLEADS #yourBESTsolution #bettertogether
Yesterday the OUR Co-op held our two elementary chess tournaments. Congratulations to all the winners! Thank you to North Arkansas College for hosting us and thank you to all who participated and the coaches who helped make these tournaments possible! #yourBESTsolution
OUR Co-op will be hosting Special Education and Related Services: Establishing Connections Through Collaborative Goal Writing on January 23, 2025 at the co-op.
Registration Link: https://www.escweb.net/ar_esc/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=539905.
Participants completed Days 4-6 of the K-2 RISE training this week. #yourBESTsolution
OUR Co-op hosted days 1-3 of K-2 RISE training before Thanksgiving. We are excited to have Pattie Wheeler back with us to present this professional learning for the educators from the co-op area. #yourBESTsolution
OUR Co-op was honored to host the following legislators at the co-op this afternoon: James Eaton, Scott Flippo, Bryan King, Ron McNair, and Jason Nazarenko. This time provided opportunity for conversation around possible legislative items that would impact public education during the coming session. #yourBESTsolution
OUR Co-op held the November Governing Board meeting today. Karli Saracini, Assistant Commissioner, DESE Office of Educator Effectiveness/Licensure, provided updates on various areas of focus from that office. #yourBESTsolution
