A-State studentsv get jumpstart on teaching careers

JONESBORO — Taylor Drew of Paragould and Darby Stotts of Little Rock are the first two Arkansas State University students to participate in the Aspiring Teacher Permit Program, which allows students to begin a teaching position while still completing their degrees.

The two were recently paid a visit by Arkansas Teacher of the Year Capri Salaam and presented with graduation gifts.

Salaam, along with faculty from AState, surprised the two seniors during the school day to congratulate them on their successful semester and upcoming graduation.

Drew and Stotts are set to graduate Dec. 16 from ASU. Both received a Rocketbook, a reusable note taking device that sends notes to a digital cloud.

“It’s been amazing not only to have my job set, but also with a year of experience,” Drew said. “It’s good to have that — I feel more secure and like I know what I am doing.”

Because of the program both teachers will have their full-time teaching job after graduation and will remain in their current classrooms.

“It’s been so awesome,” Stotts said.

“It’s not a guarantee that you’ll have a job coming out of school, especially when you graduate mid-year in December. It’s nice to have it already lined up.”

Drew has been at Nettleton’s Fox Meadow Elementary School teaching first grade.

“Nettleton has been amazing. My principals are the best ever. I could

See STATE, page A6

Photo by Rebecca Robinson/Paxton Media STATE

From page A4

not have asked for better.

They always come around and check on me. My mentor teacher is really helpful too,” Drew said. “I’m just so grateful to have this opportunity, it’s been everything I could have wished for.”

Stotts was placed at STEAM Intermediate school teaching fourth grade and said the experience has been a “whirlwind.”

“It’s been so good,” Stotts said. “Everyone has been so helpful with figuring out lesson plans and how to do everything. No, it’s not easy but they have made it so much easier than it would have been without them.

Meeting all the kids and teachers here it’s been so helpful.”

In a press release from AState, Dr. Lacy Baker, assistant superintendent of curriculum and assessment at Nettleton Public Schools, said the initiative is beneficial in many ways.

“Given that there are many more teaching positions available than certified applicants to fill them, it is helpful to have another group of individuals that school districts can look to, to lead instruction and support students within the classroom,” Baker said.

Drew and Stotts had to meet all of the requirements including clearing background checks, passing Praxis II content exams required for licensure, and being eligible for a capstone internship.

“While traditional interns have a teacher in the room leading instruction, planning and all other responsibilities that are required by a teacher in a classroom, the aspiring teacher takes on all of those responsibilities and has a mentor in the district to support them,” said Dr. Rusty Young, assistant professor of teacher education at A-State.

Baker said she expects the future of the program to be bright.

“The Aspiring Teachers Permit Program, along with the partnership with A-State, has made our first experience so positive and reassuring that we definitely will use this hiring option in the future if need be,” Baker said.

For Drew, it cemented her belief that teaching is the role for her.

“It is a great feeling knowing you can help them emotionally and academically,” she said. “It is a great experience.”

***

Duffield calls for special session to stop proliferation of crypto mines

LITTLE ROCK — State Rep. Matt Duffield (R-District 53) of Russellville penned a letter to the governor’s office, urging Gov. Sarah Sanders to call a special session of the State Legislature for the purpose of repealing the Arkansas Data Centers Act (ADCA) of 2023, as public concerns mount over the law’s aiding of crypto mining facilities currently operating in Arkansas.

“I speak for my constituents in Pope County and many other legislators who face a growing revolt over the proliferation of crypto mines, the lack of local control and the way the Arkansas Data Centers Act allows these companies to override local concerns,” reads State Rep.

Duffield’s letter, in part.

Signed into law by Gov.

Sanders earlier this year, the ADCA massively eased restrictions on cryptocurrency mining in Arkansas and drastically weakened the power of local governments to restrict or refuse crypto mining facilities in their areas. State Rep. Duffield’s letter raises numerous environmental issues related to the operation of crypto mining facilities including violations of local noise ordinances, massive local water resource requirements, and the enormous amount of electricity needed to operate. The letter also calls for meaningful state oversight over crypto mining companies.

Barring a special session, the issue of repealing the Arkansas Data Centers Act would not be taken up by the State Legislature until the 2025 legislative session.