Department of Teacher Education The Knowledge Base for the Teacher Education Department at Arkansas State University serves as a centralized hub of resources, policies, and guidance to support aspiring educators, faculty, and staff in their academic and professional journey. Faculty and Staff   Dr. Audrey Bowser Department Chair Phone : 870-680-8016 Room: ED #338A Email: abowser@astate.edu   Mrs. Danita Martin Fiscal Support Manager Educational Leadership, Curriculum and Special Education, Teacher Education Phone: 870-972-3062 Room: ED #338 Email: damartin@astate.edu   Dr. Jeonghee Choi Associate Professor Phone: 870-680-2001 Room: ED #378 Email: jchoi@astate.edu Hours: Tue & Thurs 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m   Dr. Nicole Covey Associate Professor Phone: 870-972-3767 Room: ED #347 Email: ncovey@astate.edu Hours: Mon & Wed 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m, Tue & Thurs 2:00 p.m. - 3:00p.m.   Dr. Minghui Gao Professor Phone: 870-680-8096 Room: ED #372 Email: mgao@astate.edu Hours: Wed 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tues & Thurs 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.   Dr. Karen Graham Associate Professor  Phone: 870-680-8440 Room: ED #368 Email: kgraham@astate.edu Hours: Mon, Tue, & Wed 2:00pm -4:00pm   Dr. Joanna Grymes Associate Professor Phone: 870-680-8430 Room: ED #336 Email: grymesj@astate.edu Hours: Tue & Thurs 1:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., (Online) Tues & Thurs 5:00 p.m - 6:00 p.m. (Session 1), 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (Session 2) Mr. Allen Hays Instructor Phone: 870-680-8037 Room: ED #335 Email: jhays@astate.edu Hours: Mon & Wed 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (Jonesboro), Tue & Thurs 9:00am-11:00am (MidSouth) Ms. Michele Johnson Instructor Phone: 870-972-3963 Room: ED #350 Email : rmjohnson@astate.edu Hours: Mon 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Tue 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m   Dr.  Natalie Johnson-Leslie Professor Phone: 870-972-3947 Room: ED #346 Email: njohnson@astate.edu Hours: Mon, Tue, & Wed 11:00 am -1:00pm   Dr. Ryan Kelly Professor Phone: 870-680-8445 Room: ED #374 Email: rkelly@astate.edu Hours: Monday & Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.   Dr. Dixie Keyes Professor Phone: 870-680-8065 Room: ED #369 Email: dkeyes@astate.edu Hours: Mon & Wed 9:00 a.m. - 10 a.m., Tue & Thurs 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.   Dr. Desiree Rutter Instructor Room: ED #373 Email: drutter@astate.edu Hours: Mon 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., Tue 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.   Dr. Deborah Wanmack Instructor Phone: 870-680-8358 Room: ED #337 Email: dwanmack@astate.edu Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 12:00pm-3:00pm    Dr. Diana Williams Associate Professor Phone: 870-680-8066 Room: ED #348 Email: dwilliam@astate.edu Hours: Tue & Thurs 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.   Dr. Rusty Young Associate Professor Phone: 870-972-8100 Room: ED #371 Email: dayoung@astate.edu Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 9:00am – 12:00pm   Mrs. Kristan Angel  Instructor  Phone: 501-920-2989 Location: Beebe Email: kangel@astate.edu Hours: Monday and Wednesday (10:15 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.) Tuesday and Thursday (11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., 1:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.)   Ms. Rita Williams Instructor Phone: 501-733-3334 Location: Mountain Home Email: riwilliams@astate.edu Hours: Monday and Wednesday (8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.) Tuesday and Thursday (1:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.) Friday (By Appointment)   Dr. Chad Martin Instructor Phone : 870-733-6858 Location: MidSouth Email: chmartin@astate.edu Hours: Monday and Wednesday (8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.) Tuesday and Thursday (8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., 4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.)   Degree Programs Master's in Early Childhood Education (MSE) Online ?️ Become an expert leader in both public and nonpublic early childhood educational settings with this online master's degree program that is designed for educators interested in expanding their knowledge to serve children in a pre-K to third grade public school setting or birth to eight years old in a state or early childhood system! Teaching experience and a teaching license are required for this program Next Apply Date: 12/15/2025 ➡️ Application Link   Next Class Start Date: 01/12/2026 Follow this QR Code for access to our official website, full of additional information!  In this online master’s program, you will: Gain insight into the developmental needs of young children and enhance your impact as an early childhood educator. Facilitate your development as an educational leader through coursework focused on topics including teaching and assessment, professionalism in education, technology as a teaching tool, developmental perspectives and more! Apply the knowledge and skills gained in the program in your classroom through the practicum capstone experience. Additional Documents:  Textbook Information (PDF)         Business Technology Masters (MAT) - Online ?️ This 100% online Master of Arts in Teaching – Business Technology offers in-depth teaching methodology with coursework related to business and technology. This program is ideal for students who do not have a traditional education background. Next Apply Date: 12/15/2025 ➡️ Application Link   Next Class Start Date: 01/12/2026 Follow the QR Code below for access to our official website! In this online Master of Arts in Teaching – Business Technology program, you will: Create lessons that incorporate state and national standards using technology pedagogy appropriate for young adults Understand theories and apply strategies for classroom teaching and management Utilize effective teaching methodologies for diverse populations Incorporate technology into educational methods As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for education roles, such as: Business Teacher 7-12 High School Business Teacher Master of Arts in Teaching - ART K-12 Online ?️ Love art and want to teach? The online MAT – Art K-12 includes theories and strategies of classroom management, using technology as a valuable tool for instruction and curriculum development. ? Next Apply Date: 12/15/2025 ➡️ Application Link   Next Class Start Date: 01/12/2026 Follow the QR Code below for access to the official website! In this online MAT art teacher degree program, you will: Gain a working knowledge of historical and contemporary art education theory and practice Create lessons that appropriately incorporate state and national standards using contemporary art education pedagogy for K-12 Demonstrate your ability to act in a legal, professional and compassionate manner while teaching a studio-based art lesson using art history, art criticism and aesthetics in both the elementary and secondary classroom Learn to effectively teach art in the K-12 setting Utilize effective teaching methodologies for diverse populations Incorporate technology into educational methods As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for education roles, such as: Elementary Art Teacher Middle School Art Teacher High School Art Teacher     Elementary Education - Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.E) - Online ?️ The Elementary Education BSE program provides a strong foundation for individuals who plan to work with  children  in various settings serving Kindergarten through sixth grade . Students experience multiple field experiences to ensure a strong foundation of applied skills as well as knowledge of child development, best practices, and content. Admission: Checkpoint 1 It is the applicant's responsibility, with the assistance of the advisor, to initiate the Application for Admission into the teacher education program in accordance with the procedures established by the department screening committee (See form on pages 29-30 of the Initial Programs Handbook, Appendix B). This committee will evaluate the applicant's records and determine eligibility for admission into the Teacher Education Program.  Please read all information below prior to beginning the admission process . New Requirements: To be considered for Admission into the Teacher Education Program, teacher candidates must meet/complete the following criteria: Submit the  Online Application for Admission  ( Have all supporting documents completed and ready to submit prior to beginning the online application .) Attain minimum overall GPA of 2.70 beginning August 24, 2015 (Program of Study and MAT students must have a minimum of 3.0 overall in courses for Program of Study.) Complete the following courses with a grade of “C” or better in each: ENG 1003, Composition I; ENG 1013, Composition II; MATH 1023, College Algebra  OR  MATH 1043, Quantitative Reasoning,  OR  STAT 2003, Introduction to Statistics (or mathematics course required by degree program); Introduction to Education (specific to each department); and COMS 1203, Oral Communication or Speech Proficiency (as specified by the department) * Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours *.  Complete the Teacher Education Program Admission Checklist (self-assessment found at end of PDF document, completed by candidate and evaluation by screening committee) as prescribed in the Teacher Education Handbook .  Download this document, complete it, and save it prior to beginning the application process .  You will need to upload it to the online application . Complete the Professional Ethics Assessment as prescribed by the Teacher Education Handbook. Submit a copy of the training certificate obtained from ArkansasIDEAS. Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018) Course # ERC19048   To register for an Arkansas IDEAS account, click here:  https://ideaslms.aetn.org/ All students should read the Arkansas Code of Ethics:  Rules for Governing the Code of Ethics for Arkansas Educators Complete the Admission  Technology Checkpoint  Requirement Obtain a signed Clarification of Teacher Education Admissions/Retention Standards on the application and the Mission & Values, Teacher Education Outcomes and Arkansas Teaching Standards as outlined in the Teacher Education Handbook Documentation of an Approved Arkansas State Police (ASP) and Federal Background Check and the Arkansas Child Maltreatment Background Check through the Arkansas Department of Education  Online Background Check Instructions A-State teacher education students and A-State faculty/staff select Arkansas State University for  District/Location  and use  8800002  for the  Verification Code .  Background check and child maltreatment must be less than one year old when applying for admission . Verify the student has received a copy of the Mission & Values, Teacher Education Outcomes and Arkansas Teaching Standards. Appear individually for a personal interview before the Department Screening Committee. The Signature Verification Page will need to be signed by the screening committee and submitted to the PEP Office.  Please complete the applicant portion of the document prior to interview. Candidates will not be permitted to enroll in specified professional education courses until they have been formally admitted into the teacher education program.  Such courses are designated by an asterisk in the Undergraduate Bulletin.  When the candidate application is approved by the Professional Education Programs Director, candidates will receive official notification via email. Official admittance to the teacher education program does not carry a guarantee of continuance in the program.  In addition to the retention checkpoints described below, candidates must maintain academic proficiency, moral responsibility, emotional stability, and satisfactory professional growth to continue in the program. *Not required for MAT candidates Dyslexia Certificate Online ?️ Expand your teaching repertoire in as few as eight months with this accelerated online Dyslexia Certificate program. Continue working while you complete coursework and gain hands-on experience performing clinical assessment and intervention in reading and related areas with young students and adolescents in secondary grades. Next Apply Date: 12/15/2025 Next Class Start Date: 01/12/2026 Follow the QR Code below for access to the official website! ⬇️ This Dyslexia Certificate online program helps you excel in: Providing reading interventions for children who are learning to read or struggling to read The development of literacy skills in alignment with state and national standards   Education Specialist in Reading Online ?️ Prepare to transform student learning and pursue career advancement in literacy with this 100% online Education Specialist in Reading degree program. Cultivate the advanced knowledge that aligns with a career as a reading specialist, district literacy leader, literacy interventionist and more. Your track—Professional Practice or Advanced Perspective—will be selected for you based on your prior experience. This ensures your education builds on your strengths and supports your goals, setting you up for success. Next Apply Date: 12/15/2025 Next Class Start Date: 01/12/2026 Follow the QR Code below to be taken to the official website! ⬇️ In this program track, you will: Examine literacy issues in the context of multicultural education and culturally responsive pedagogy with a focus on the differentiation of literacy needs among various student cultures and special needs students Focus on the development of literacy skills Explore current research on literacy cognition, reading disorders, and research-based methodologies for reading instruction Become an expert leader in reading and literacy Employment in educational instruction and library occupations is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations, 2  with job growth for instructional coordinators and special education teachers expected to grow 4-7%. 3  Careers in reading ensure needs are met for students in the classroom, supporting teachers to develop strategies for implementing quality reading programs. With the Professional Practice track, you’ll be prepared to sit for the PRAXIS Reading Specialist test. Prepare for a variety of leadership roles, including: Reading Specialist Literacy Coach Literacy Specialist School or District Professional Development Provider Master of Arts in Teaching - Middle Level Education 4-8 Online ?️ This online MAT program gives you the knowledge and confidence to navigate the unique challenges of middle school grades. Whether you want to transition to teach middle school or want to become a second-career teacher, you will learn strategies to help teen and preteen students succeed in the classroom. Next Apply Date: 12/15/2025 ➡️ Application Link   Next Class Start Date: 01/12/2026 Follow the QR Code below to go to the official website! In this online MAT program, you will: Learn to effectively teach at the middle education level Understand theories and apply strategies for classroom teaching and management Utilize effective teaching methodologies for diverse populations Incorporate technology into educational methods Understand the young adolescent and apply effective teaching strategies in a specific curriculum area As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for middle level education roles, such as: Classroom Teacher Teacher Coach Masters in Elementary Education K-6 (MAT) Online ?️ This online MAT program prepares you for elementary education K-6 and is designed to help you hone your classroom skills, advance your career and refine your pedagogies. Learn the most up-to-date advancements in technology, theory and methodology in the field of education.  Next Apply Date: 12/15/2025 ➡️ Application Link   Next Class Start Date: 01/12/2026 Follow the QR Code below to access the official Website  In this online elementary education program, you will: Learn to effectively teach at the elementary education level Understand theories and apply strategies for classroom teaching and management Utilize effective teaching methodologies for diverse populations Incorporate technology into educational methods Learn the challenges unique to elementary-age students and apply best practices when teaching that audience As a graduate of this online program, you will be prepared for elementary education roles, such as: Classroom Teacher Teacher Coach Admission to Teacher Education Whether in need of Online or Traditional services, Teacher Education has a place for you! Find information in regards to applying and more! Teacher Education Program Admission Checklist ‼️ Please see the following link to access the PDF Program Admission Checklist: ⬇️ Undergraduate Teacher Education Program Admission Checklist This checklist is to help undergraduate A-State Teacher Education students navigate the admissions process to the Teacher Education Program through the Professional Education Programs (PEP) Office. Arkansas AELS Background Check o Background Check Packet can be found on the PEP website or you can email pep@astate.edu and request the packet. o This can take up to 4 weeks to approve, so it is recommended to start this first. o There are 2 parts: Central Registry (Child Maltreatment) and fingerprints (ASP and FBI) Educator Dispositions Self-Assessment (EDA) o This should be completed in your Intro to Education class, but if it is not, a blank EDA is included in the official PDF document above. ⬆️ ArkansasIDEAS Ethics Certificate o You must have already started the Background Check Process in order to make an ArkansasIDEAS account (these accounts are linked) o The course you need to complete for admissions is: Professional Licensure Standards Board (PLSB) - The Code of Ethics Training Video (2018) Course # ERC1904 Read the Arkansas Code of Ethics Technology Survey Online Application for Admission You will upload your completed EDA and Ethics Certificate to this application Course/GPA Requirements o Students must have a minimum 2.70 GPA to be admitted o The following courses are required with a grade C or better: ENG 1003 Composition I ENG 1013 Composition II SCOM 1203 Oral Communication (or student must provide a Speech Proficiency if this course is not required in your degree) MATH 1023 College Algebra/ MATH 1043 Quantitative Reasoning/ STAT 2003 Introduction to Statistics Introduction to Education (specific to degree/department) Department Screening Interview o Students must schedule a personal interview with their Department Screening Committee. Please reach out to your respective Program Coordinator for this. The Signature Verification Page must be filled out by the student before the interview and signed by the Department Chair after the interview. The Signature Verification Page needs to be delivered to the PEP Office by the program coordinator or by the student themself This is very important because it initiates the admission process in the PEP Office.   Admission and Licensure Background Checks ‼️ Please follow the link below to the official Admission and Licensure Background Check PDF: ⬇️ Admission and Licensure Background Checks   For Teacher Education Program Admission All candidates seeking admission to an initial licensure program must complete both parts of the background check process as a requirement for program admission. This process can take 3-4 weeks to complete. Begin this process early so that it does not delay acceptance into the teacher education program. For Initial and Provisional Licenses Provisional and initial licenses require an approved criminal history check (ASP & FBI) and Arkansas Child Maltreatment Central Registry check that is less than one year old. Special Programs Pre-K Academy Links to Follow:  Survey Link - For Contact Information about Program   Praxis Education of Young Children (5533)   T.E.A.C.H - Early Childhood Scholarships   Summer Camp Academy Summer Camp Academy is in full swing this year! As we prepare for another exciting summer at Arkansas State University, we are thrilled to invite your family to join us for the A-State Summer Camp Academy 2026 ! We've planned a variety of camps full of creativity, discovery, and fun — all designed to inspire growth, spark curiosity, and create lifelong memories for your child. At A-State Summer Camp, each day is a new adventure! Our day camps offer a safe, engaging environment where children can explore their interests, try new activities, and make new friends. Led by our experienced and caring staff, campers are encouraged to learn, grow, and have fun throughout the summer months. Our camp schedule includes four-day weeks, Monday–Thursday, with two daily sessions: 9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. The 2026 camp dates are: June 1–4 June 8–11 June 15–18 June 22-25 July 6–9 July 13–16 July 20–23 To begin registration and view our full list of camps and guidelines, please click here :  Summer Camp Academy Marketplace 2026 Before registering, be sure to fill out and submit the required legal consent form, available online, but just in case, we also have it listed here:  Consent Form All camps will be taking place at the Health, Physical Education and Sport Sciences (HPESS) building, located at 315 University Loop Circle, Jonesboro, Arkansas. .  We’re committed to creating a positive, nurturing, and enriching environment where every camper feels welcome and supported. Resources and Announcements All important announcemnets and information regarding the Teacher Education Department can be found here! Can't find what you are looking for? Please contact (870)-972-3059, and we will be more than happy to help!