Policy Fellows Will Also Focus on Rural Education, Chronic Absenteeism, and Early Childhood Education
Little Rock, AR, August 27, 2025—Teach Plus Arkansas is focused on giving every student in the Natural State what they need to succeed after high school. The organization has selected 33 outstanding Arkansas educators for its 2025-26 Policy Fellowship to advocate for policies that improve college and career readiness, boost student attendance, expand early childhood education, and address the unique challenges facing rural schools.
“We’re building a powerful network of Arkansas teachers to lead policy changes that help students succeed. We especially want to lift up educators who reflect and serve communities that haven’t always had a strong voice in policy decisions. These teachers know what students need, and we’re giving them the platform to push for real change in our schools,” said Teach Plus Arkansas Executive Director Stacey McAdoo.
Building on the work of past Teach Plus teacher leaders, the new Policy Fellows will advocate for education policies that prepare students for college and careers. In 2024, Teach Plus Policy Fellows and alumni used their classroom expertise to influence education policy across the state—meeting with policymakers, testifying at the Capitol, and developing research-based recommendations on issues such as early literacy, student mental health, and teacher retention. Their impact includes publishing op-eds, authoring policy briefs, presenting to state leaders and school boards, and building strong partnerships to amplify teacher voice in decision-making spaces.
The 2025-26 Arkansas Policy Fellows represent communities across the state—from Lincoln to Marvell—and teach an array of subjects from preK–12.
Throughout the program, Teach Plus develops and deepens Fellows’ expertise in policy analysis, advocacy, research, and communications, equipping them with the skills to bring evidence-based solutions to the table. Each Fellow was selected for their ability to articulate the needs of their students and communities and their demonstrated excellence and innovation in teaching, ensuring they can effectively advocate for meaningful changes that will benefit children across Arkansas.
“I’m excited to grow, to learn, to lead, and to stand beside other educators who truly care. I’m ready to advocate, to amplify what’s working, and to push for change in all areas, big or small,” said Alia Pope, a 2025-26 Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellow who teaches in Little Rock. “I want to use my platform to be a voice for students who don’t always feel heard. I hope to use what I learn to lead real change for students and educators across Arkansas.”
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Arkansas Policy Fellows are:
- Freda Calloway, Arkansas Teachers Corps
- Jennifer Calloway, Little Rock School District
- James Copeland, Marvell-Elaine School District
- Christy Dean, Fayetteville School District
- Erika Evans, Little Rock School District
- Ashley Fox-Kelley, Virtual Arkansas
- Tyler Ford, North Little Rock School District
- Lorena Franco, Pulaski County Special School District
- Tashika Harris, Little Rock School District
- Mary Hill, Rogers Public Schools
- Kendra Jackson, Pine Bluff School District
- Karyna Johnson, Little Rock School District
- Sontreka Johnson, Bryant School District
- Alisa Kindsfater, Mount Vernon/Enola School District
- Caitlin Knight, Bentonville School District
- Tiffaney Lewis, Little Rock School District
- Angela Mattingly, Alma School District
- Elena Petroukhina, Little Rock School District
- Alia Pope, eStem Public Charter Schools (Little Rock)
- Cheryl Ring, West Memphis School District
- Emilee Roy, Lincoln Consolidated School District
- Savannah Sharp, Fayetteville School District
- Rashonda Smith, Forrest City School District
- Danielle Tatum, Pine Bluff School District
- Chancy Ware, Mineral Springs School District
- Meaghen Wolff, Springdale School District
The 2025-26 Teach Plus Arkansas Senior Policy Fellows are:
- Amanda Dunn, West Memphis School District
- Cara Maxwell, Springdale Public Schools
- Tyler McBride, Lincoln Consolidated Schools
- Dr. Patricia Swinton, Jacksonville North Pulaski School District
- Yvette Townsend, Lincoln Consolidated Schools
- Jessica Wiley, South Conway School District
- Andrew Young, Fayetteville Public Schools
If interested in interviewing Executive Director Stacey McAdoo or any of the Fellows, please contact Kelly Pearce at kpearce@teachplus.org or 928-925-9236.
About Teach Plus
Teach Plus is dedicated to the mission of empowering excellent, experienced, and diverse teachers to take leadership over key policy and practice issues that advance equity, opportunity, and student success. Since 2009, Teach Plus has developed thousands of teacher leaders across the country to exercise their leadership in shaping education policy and improving teaching and learning for students. Learn more about Teach Plus Arkansas at https://teachplus.org/ar/.
