Arkansas works hard to attract and retain teachers. When a state has a high poverty level, legislators and administrators need to raise the standard of education in order to attract good teachers and prepare students to become excellent citizens who stay in their home state to help future citizens. To this end, Arkansas provides a number of routes to becoming a teacher. One program begins teacher recruitment when students are still in high school. The Cadet program tries to help potential teachers understand the difficulties of the teaching profession and how to take advantage of supportive programs and mentors. Current teachers looking to become more highly qualified or to help with the recruitment and guidance of younger teaches can do so by earning an online master’s degree in education.
Not Enough Highly Educated Teachers in Arkansas
People often talk about teacher shortages; however, studies show that there are sufficient teachers but not enough specialized teachers. There are also not enough teachers who have earned advanced degrees. When teachers continue their education by earning an online master’s degree in education, it demonstrates dedication and aspiration for the teaching field. This kind of professional commitment is essential to improving the quality of education for children in Arkansas.
Why Children in Arkansas Need More Highly Qualified Teachers
Studies show that children living in poverty struggle more at school. They manifest significant learning differences that affect several aspects of their education, including the following:
- Health and nutrition.
- Stress management.
Teachers can help bridge these gaps with careful planning, adaptive lesson plans and clear goal-setting. Teachers enrolled in an online master’s degree in education program can expect to encounter these sorts of advanced approaches, which can benefit the student population in Arkansas.
Teacher Housing Program in Arkansas
Another program working for teachers in Arkansas is the teacher housing incentive program. This program helps teachers purchase or lease homes at cheaper rates so that they can afford to live where they teach. This kind of support is critical for building a teaching network of happier, more focused teachers who care about the kids they teach and come to work without worry. According to the plan, “Teachers with three years of teaching experience, administrator recommendations, and a letter of employment from a high priority school district may apply to the Foundation for rental assistance or up to $10,000 in forgivable loan toward the purchase of a house.” Teachers who are already enrolled in an online master’s degree in education may be more likely to secure these positive recommendations and receive the assistance of this housing program.
Arkansas State Teacher Assistance Resource Program
This resource allows Arkansas teachers to receive up to $6,000 per year for up to three years. In order to qualify for this program, you must be a full-time teacher who graduated from a teacher education program after April 1, 2004. In addition to this qualification, you need to be a resident of Arkansas for at least six months before applying, and you must teach in an Arkansas public school located in a geographical area designated as having a critical shortage of teachers, or in a subject matter area designated as experiencing a critical shortage.
This is an important time to become a more qualified and engaged teacher in Arkansas. With so many available resources to help support teachers, self-motivated educators with a passion for learning can be the ones to lift children from the cycle of poverty.
Learn more about Arkansas State University’s online Master of Science in Education programs.
Sources:
Arkansas Department of Education
The Rural School and Community Trust: A Win for Everyone: Arkansas’s Teacher Housing Incentives