Arkansas Lead Professional
Educator Designation Pathway
Bailey Education Group is proud to offer the Lead Professional Educator Designation Pathway to Arkansas educators in K-12 school districts and cooperatives. This program supports teacher leaders in fulfilling the Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education's (DESE) requirements for a PLE designation, while continuing to make an impact in their current roles. Through a four-month cohort experience, participants strengthen instructional leadership by engaging in job-embedded activities focused on mentorship, data analysis, and professional development. Participants in this pathway are not employees or Consultants for Bailey Education Group. Instead, they are Arkansas educators who are either sponsored by their district, cooperative, or are self-funded participants.
What to Expect:
The Lead Professional Educator Designation Pathway is designed for classroom educators who are ready to take the next step in leadership without stepping out of the classroom.
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Each cohort meets for six hours of training per month—three hours every other week—delivered through a combination of in-person and virtual sessions.
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Throughout the program, participants will:
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Mentor a colleague within their school
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Lead or design a professional development session
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Conduct classroom observations with feedback cycles
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Complete a capstone project tied to an instructional challenge or school goal
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Reflect through journaling and receive personalized coaching
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All learning is aligned to DESE's expectations for the Lead Professional Educator Designation Pathway and is grounded in best practice.
Cohort Schedule:
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Fall Cohort: August – November
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Spring Cohort: January – April
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Summer Cohort: TBD
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Program Cost:
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$1500 per participant
(Sponsorships available through school districts or educational cooperatives.)
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Eligibility Requirements:​
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Hold a valid Arkansas standard teaching license
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Have a minimum of three years of licensed teaching experience
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Provide documentation of an Effective or Highly Effective TESS rating from their most recent summative evaluation within the last four years
Our Approach
At Bailey Education, we believe teacher leaders are the heart of school improvement. That’s why our pathway is grounded in The Bailey Way—combining deep educational expertise, individualized support, and a shared mission to improve the lives of all children.
Our facilitators are seasoned educators and former administrators who understand Arkansas schools and are committed to building capacity from within.