Arkansas Teacher Corps Receives $5.1M for Fellowship Training

(Arkansas Teacher Corps)

Arkansas Teacher Corps (ATC), an outreach unit of the University of Arkansas College of Education & Health Professions, has received a three-year, $5.1 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation to train at least 114 new fellows.

The three-year ATC program recruits, trains, licenses and supports novice teachers pursuing licensure to combat educator shortages in the state’s highest-need communities. ATC partners with K-12 school districts to provide a grow-your-own pathway to teacher licensure for non-certified school staff and community members.

With the grant funds, ATC will ensure the successful training of its next three cohorts of fellows. To date, ATC has recruited, trained and supported more than 326 teachers in 95 schools and 42 school districts throughout central, eastern and southern Arkansas.

Nearly 130 ATC fellows have completed the three-year fellowship, with 84% earning a standard five-year teaching license in one or more content areas, resulting in 217 total certifications.

“Every child deserves a high-quality education. Yet, far too many schools, particularly those in high-need communities throughout eastern and southern Arkansas, struggle to recruit and retain licensed teachers,” ATC Executive Director Brandon Lucius said in a press release. “We provide a rigorous, accessible pathway for aspiring teachers of all ages and backgrounds.”

Fellows come from a variety of backgrounds. Of those teaching in 2025-26, 61% were uncertified teachers, 14% were miscellaneous school staff, 16% were changing careers and 8% were recent college graduates.

Nearly 10% of ATC fellows have earned “Teacher of the Year” honors from their school, district or a professional organization. ATC teachers are also 20% more likely to remain Arkansas educators after five years.