Learning Tour Objectives:
- Equip participants with cutting-edge research, proven strategies, and practical tools to design, scale, and sustain effective educator preparation pathways that meet the needs of diverse communities.
- Provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and build meaningful connections with peers, experts, and leaders across educator preparation and district partnerships.
- Explore and co-create forward-thinking approaches to residency implementation, strategic staffing, and pipeline development, with a focus on sustainability and student-centered outcomes.
- Empower teams to reflect on their learnings, identify actionable steps, and leave with tailored strategies to enhance educator preparation efforts within their institutions and communities.
The registration table will be open on the dates and times below in the Foyer of the Grand Ballroom.
Monday, February 9, 2026 | 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 | 7:30-11:00 a.m.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026 | 8:00am - 4:00pm CST
Breakfast
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Grand Ballroom Foyer
Welcome & Opening: Sharing the Arkansas Story and Context
8:00 - 8:45 a.m.
Grand Ballroom
Virtual School Site Visit Experience
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Southern Arkansas University - Manning
Texas A&M University-Texarkana - Riverview
University of Arkansas at Little Rock - Grand Ballroom
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff - Arkansas Ballroom
Resident Panel
11:10 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom
Lunch & Entertainment
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom
Breakout Session 1
1:10 p.m. - 2:10 p.m.
Afternoon Break
2:10 p.m. - 2:20 p.m.
Breakout Session 2
2:20 p.m. - 3:20 p.m.
Transition to Team Time
3:20 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Team Time & Day 1 Closing (info below)
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Team Time | Day 1
University of Houston, Texas Tech University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Texas-Permian Basin, Sam Houston State University, University of Houston-Downtown, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Sul Ross, Philanthropic Funders
Grand Ballroom
San Diego State University, University of Texas-El Paso, Texas State University, University of North Texas-Denton, Midwestern State University, Lamar University, West Texas A&M University
Arkansas Ballroom
Tarleton State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Angelo State University
Manning
University of Texas-San Antonio, Portland State University, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Texas Wesleyan University
Hoffman
University of Houston-Clear Lake, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Chicot
Texas A&M University-Victoria, Prairie View A&M University, Southern Arkansas University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, University of Texas Rio Grande
Grampas
Arkansas DESE, Forward Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Teacher Corps, Arkansas Tech University, Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway, Central Baptist College, Crowley’s Ridge College, Harding University, Henderson State University, John Brown University, Lyon College, Ouachita Baptist University, Philander Smith University, Provisional Professor Teaching License, Teacher for America - Greater Delta, UA Fayetteville, UA Fort Smith, UA Monticello, University of Central Arkansas, University of the Ozarks, Williams Baptist University, ADE, ADHE
Riverview
Tuesday, February 11, 2026 | 8:00am - 2:00pm CST
Breakfast
7:30 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
Grand Ballroom Foyer
Partnerships through Governance Panel
8:30 - 9:15 a.m.
Grand Ballroom
Transition
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Breakout Session 3
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Morning Break
10:30 p.m. - 10:40 a.m.
Breakout Session 4
10:40 p.m. - 11:40 a.m.
Transition to Main Ballroom
11:40 a.m. -11:50 a.m.
Conference Closure
11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom
Lunch
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom Foyer
Team Time (info below)
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Team Time | Day 2
University of Houston, Texas Tech University, Southeastern Louisiana University, University of Texas-Permian Basin, Sam Houston State University, University of Houston-Downtown, University of Arkansas-Little Rock, Sul Ross, Philanthropic Funders
Grand Ballroom
San Diego State University, University of Texas-El Paso, Texas State University, University of North Texas-Denton, Midwestern State University, Lamar University, West Texas A&M University
Arkansas Ballroom
Tarleton State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Angelo State University
Manning
University of Texas-San Antonio, Portland State University, Texas A&M University-San Antonio, Texas Wesleyan University
Hoffman
University of Houston-Clear Lake, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Chicot
Texas A&M University-Victoria, Prairie View A&M University, Southern Arkansas University, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Texas A&M University-Texarkana, University of Texas Rio Grande
Grampas
Arkansas DESE, Forward Arkansas, Arkansas State University, Arkansas Teacher Corps, Arkansas Tech University, Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway, Central Baptist College, Crowley’s Ridge College, Harding University, Henderson State University, John Brown University, Lyon College, Ouachita Baptist University, Philander Smith University, Provisional Professor Teaching License, Teacher for America - Greater Delta, UA Fayetteville, UA Fort Smith, UA Monticello, University of Central Arkansas, University of the Ozarks, Williams Baptist University, ADE, ADHE
Riverview
Arkansas Dean’s and Director’s Meeting
Neosho
