The Purpose of the Teacher Institute is to develop Arkansas public school teacher-leaders who are continuous learners and are actively engaged in a statewide, networked learning community which supports the use of diverse teaching and learning practices that will result in high teacher performance and student achievement.

Participants are pairs of individual teachers whose school district superintendent has attended an Arkansas Leadership Academy Individual Institute. Higher Education participation is encouraged.

The Teacher Institute was established with funding from the Winthrop Rockefeller Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.

The Objectives of the Teacher Institute are defined in two broad categories, Teacher Development and System Development. For teacher development teachers will make changes in their teaching and learning practices that will increase student achievement through reflective practice and action research.

Objectives for teachers in the area of system development are

• Teachers will positively influence others to implement reflective practices and action research
• Teachers will influence educational policies, which support teaching and learning by providing leadership for cultural and system changes that result in increased student achievement

Features of the teacher designed, teacher-driven Teacher Institute are

• Multiple shareholder advisory board
• Seminars
• Networking Technology
• Peer learning coaches
• Teacher learning coaches

Focus Areas - Knowledge, Behavior, Practice

Length - Four residential sessions that meet over a one-year timeframe. The first session is four days in length with the remaining three sessions being three days each.

Location – The Winthrop Rockefeller Institute

Number of Graduates to Date - 500

Expenses – Costs are paid by the Arkansas Leadership Academy. Participants (districts) are asked to pay transportation costs to and from the institute sessions as well as substitute costs.

How to Apply – Submit the Teacher Institute Application* to the Arkansas Leadership Academy office by May 1, 2009.  Forum 17 and 18 dates are:

• Forum 17
  Session I – August 2-5, 2008
  Session II – November 1-3, 2009
  Session III – January 31 – February 2, 2010
  Session IV – June 9-11, 2010
• Forum 18
  Session I – September 20-23, 2009
  Session II – November 15-17, 2009
  Session III – January 10-12, 2010
  Session IV – June 23-25, 2010

What Participants Say:

"The Teacher Institute saved my teaching career. I was discouraged and had decided to take a position with a local industry. I was skeptical when a friend convinced me to attend the Teacher Institute.” An Arkansas Teacher

“I took the theme to heart, “What difference does it make for kids?” I wanted to make a difference for my students… My challenge was a great success. . .Now, I love the teachers I work with and view us as a team with one common goal – to educate and create a love of learning. Thank you for not letting me fall through the cracks.” A 2000 Milken Award winning teacher