Explore Day 1 of the 2026 Summer Learning Retreat!
Taking place virtually June 9–11, 2026, the 2026 Summer Retreat features more than 25 sessions across three days—you can explore each day’s sessions and register now.
Read on to learn more about the sessions offered on Day 1 – Tuesday, June 9th, under the theme: Sustain, Strengthen, Succeed.
See What’s in Store for Day 1 of the 2026 Retreat!
Launch for Students
Presenter: Lindsay Reed, DESE
Time: 8:30 A.M. - 10:00 A.M.
This session will focus on the Launch for Students (LFS) platform during the 2026-2027 school year. Participants will learn how the LFS platform is designed to support the development and implementation of Student Success Plans and student-centered academic and career planning aligned with the Arkansas code.
What are the Teacher Designation Pathways and How Are They Different?
Presenter: Bobette Ray, DESE
Time:10:15 A.M. - 11:45 A.M.
This session is designed for teachers or leaders who support teachers with professional growth. Join Bobette Ray with DESE to gain a deeper understanding of the Lead and Master Designations, the purpose of each, and your best pathway forward.
Your Path Starts Here: Navigating Arkansas Licensure Options
Presenters: Jessica Wright & Tally Harp, APSRC
Time: 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
Confused about how to become licensed in Arkansas or what steps come next? This session breaks down the major licensure pathways in a clear and concise way. Learn about available routes, key requirements, and important updates so you can make informed decisions and support others on their journey into the profession.
Growth Data & DOTS
Presenters: Jeana Williams & Ben Janelle, APSRC
Time: 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M.
View historical test and growth data at the district, building, classroom and student level with quick and easy eSchool details and filtering. New reports show student growth targets and trajectories for school improvement planning.
CTE Pathways
Presenter: Ross White, ADE Division of Career and Technical Education
Time: 2:15 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.
Join Ross White from the Arkansas Department of Education as he shares key updates to CTE pathways. Learn how Arkansas is strengthening Success-Ready Pathways to ensure students graduate prepared for enrollment, enlistment, or employment through intentional design and real-world experiences.
Ready to explore the full retreat lineup and reserve your spot?
Day 1 offers a strong foundation for the retreat, centered on the theme “Sustain, Strengthen, Succeed,” with five sessions focused on student readiness, educator career pathways, career and technical education, licensure options, and data-driven growth, presented by experts from DESE and APSRC. We encourage you to register now for the sessions you’re interested in so you can stay up to date with the latest information about the Summer Retreat and the sessions you plan to attend.
While we hope you'll join us live, we understand summer schedules can be busy. We’re planning to provide all registered participants with access to session recordings and materials following the event—but you must register in advance to receive them.
Looking ahead? View the full retreat schedule, including sessions for Days 2 & 3, by visiting the Summer Retreat website. There you can explore this year’s lineup of 25+ sessions, review key retreat details, hear from past attendees, and register to reserve your spot.
About the Summer Retreat
The Summer Professional Learning Retreat is an annual virtual event series hosted by APSRC, designed to help educators build skills and explore new strategies. The retreat spans three days and offers a variety of sessions, allowing participants to choose those that best align with their interests and professional goals. Whether you’re looking to build on existing skills or explore new strategies, this retreat has something for everyone.
Each session qualifies for PD credit at no cost, and is hosted through Discere, our learning management system—no Zoom links required! And here’s the best part: you don’t have to attend live to benefit. If you're traveling or have other commitments, you can still take advantage of everything the retreat has to offer. All registered participants will receive full access to session recordings, materials, and resources after the event, so you can engage with the content at a time that works best for you.
Last year, the 2025 Summer Retreat marked new highs for registration and attendance, welcoming more than 400 virtual attendees and generating 2,740 session registrations across 26 offerings. We hope to reach even more this year!
