Join administrators and teachers for a collaborative discussion on supporting teacher growth through observation and coaching. This session will highlight administrators’ use of the TESS rubric and how coaching practices are adapted to meet the needs of educators serving in diverse classroom roles.
Across the country, districts are reimagining how they recruit, select, and support educators. Join Nimble, for a forward-looking discussion on transforming hiring practices to better serve schools, candidates, and communities. This session will explore how technology and strategic workforce planning can help districts: Expand access to high-quality candidates Increase efficiency in screening and selection Reduce time-to-hire Strengthen long-term retention through better matching Participants will gain insight into how hiring systems can function as a lever for broader educator pipeline improvement and student success.
As the educator landscape evolves, staying informed on certification requirements is essential for maintaining a stable and qualified workforce. This session provides a comprehensive look at recent licensure updates and the diverse pathways available for educators to achieve full certification. We will analyze current unlicensed teacher data to identify critical gaps and introduce a strategic framework focused on preservice teacher completion. Attendees will explore specific progress points from initial entry and testing milestones to clinical experiences, including the year-long residency,designed to ensure candidates move successfully through the pipeline. Whether you are a district leader or a preparation provider, you will leave with actionable strategies to support educators in reaching full licensure.
Director of Educator Preparation and Licensure, Educator Effectiveness and Licensure
Matthew Sutherlin brings over twenty-two years of experience in education, having served in both K–12 and higher education across four states. His career includes classroom teaching as well as leadership roles in higher education, where he has held positions such as Director, Department... Read More →
Each year, thousands of Arkansas teachers receive merit pay. In 2025-26, two dozen of those teachers were selected as fellows for the inaugural cohort. In this session, severeal of the fellows will share about their experience, which gave them a front-row seat to policymakers and connected them with other high-performing teachers across the state.
TESS and LEADS support a continuous cycle of learning for educators and leaders throughout the observation and feedback process. This session will share updates of the Educator Effectiveness System regarding pre/post observations questions and a refined feedback protocol developed during the Calibration pilot and summer learning series
