Instructional Leaders Embrace Growth at ALA Session Hosted by APSRC
Educators from across Arkansas gathered this week for a two-day professional development session hosted by the Arkansas Public School Resource Center (APSRC) for Arkansas Leadership Academy (ALA), where Jeana Williams, APSRC’s Director of Teaching and Learning, led Cohort B of the Instructional Leadership Empowerment (ILE) program.
Held October 28–29, the session drew a full room of instructional leaders eager to improve instruction in the classroom. The ILE program, developed by the Arkansas Leadership Academy (ALA), is designed for professionals who support instruction in schools—principals, assistant principals, instructional facilitators, curriculum coaches, and district-level leaders. The program blends hands-on learning with collaboration, offering participants access to national experts and experienced Arkansas educators.
Throughout the session, Williams guided participants through key elements of instructional leadership, including developing and monitoring instructional models, facilitating curriculum conversations, and engaging in cycles of inquiry to define a theory of action. The goal is to build collective leader efficacy and equip educators with strategies that directly improve classroom instruction.
“What makes the Instructional Leadership Empowerment program so impactful is the balance between theory and practice,” shared Williams. “Participants walk away with strategies they can implement immediately, and a network of peers to support their growth.”
For many attendees, the experience was transformative. Raven Byard, an instructional coach at Jonesboro Public Schools, described the program as a turning point in her professional journey.
“Participating in this educator program has been an absolute game-changer in my professional practice,” Byard said. “The wealth of resources and strategies shared has strengthened my instructional toolkit, while the opportunity to network with other Arkansas educators has been invaluable. The facilitators and guest speakers have created phenomenal learning experiences that continue to inspire and challenge me to grow as an educator and leader.”
Callie Garey, Literacy Coach for grades 7–9 at West Memphis School District, also praised the program’s immediate relevance. “This training is completely relevant to my work from start to finish,” Garey said. “It is also actionable training that can be implemented immediately. I knew from the first day that I would leave ALA smarter and better at my craft.”
The ILE program includes three two-day sessions and one one-day session, totaling seven days of content delivery and collaboration. APSRC will continue to host future sessions as part of its commitment to supporting instructional excellence across the state.
As the session wrapped up, one message lingered in the minds of participants—a reminder shared by Kristi Smith, Math Coach at McRae Elementary: “Complacency is the enemy of excellence.” It’s a sentiment that captures the spirit of the Instructional Leadership Empowerment program and the drive of Arkansas’s educators to keep growing, leading, and pushing for better.
For more information about the Instructional Leadership Empowerment program, visit apsrc.net/partners or arkansasleadershipacademy.org.