📍 Spotted! DMESC team members connecting with fellow cooperative professionals at the 51st Annual AAEA Summer Conference. Together, we're embracing this year's theme, "Vision to Impact: Be the Change," and bringing new ideas back to the districts we serve.
#thinkcoop1st
#thinkcoop1st
A new month.
A new beginning.
We Serve and Support our schools so that ALL Students Succeed!
#thinkcoop1st
A new beginning.
We Serve and Support our schools so that ALL Students Succeed!
#thinkcoop1st
The summit concluded with laughter, tears, encouragement, meaningful collaboration, and stronger professional connections. It was truly one for the books—a summit that set a positive and inspiring tone for the upcoming school year.
As we begin this new year, we look forward to a year filled with excellence, engagement, growth, and opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students. Here's to an amazing school year ahead!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
As we begin this new year, we look forward to a year filled with excellence, engagement, growth, and opportunities to make a lasting difference in the lives of our students. Here's to an amazing school year ahead!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Today marks the end of the DMESC Early Childhood Summit, a week filled with collaboration, learning, and fellowship. We rolled out the red carpet for our EC stars, and the energy was electric as lights, camera, and action brought our work to life. Our guest speaker, Allison Mears, delivered an
inspirational and educational message that resonated with us all. We are deeply grateful for the dedication of educators, caregivers, and partners who made this Summit a resounding success. Here's to continuing momentum in early childhood education.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
inspirational and educational message that resonated with us all. We are deeply grateful for the dedication of educators, caregivers, and partners who made this Summit a resounding success. Here's to continuing momentum in early childhood education.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
As the Early Childhood Summit at DMESC came to a close today, we celebrated an incredible week of engagement, alignment, collaboration, and team bonding among our educators.
Throughout the week, our community stakeholders generously provided lunch each day, and we are so grateful for their continued support.
Since today's training concluded at noon, Josh and Emily of Robins Plumbing Service in Nashville treated our group to a wonderful breakfast. Their generosity and community spirit made a meaningful impact on the 160 educators in attendance.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Throughout the week, our community stakeholders generously provided lunch each day, and we are so grateful for their continued support.
Since today's training concluded at noon, Josh and Emily of Robins Plumbing Service in Nashville treated our group to a wonderful breakfast. Their generosity and community spirit made a meaningful impact on the 160 educators in attendance.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Shout out to Leigh Garner, DMESC's Community Health Nurse Specialist, and Madison Morris, our region's Community Health Promotion Specialist (CHPS), for leading today's training and sharing their expertise on mandatory health screenings and current best practices.
#thinkcoop1st
#thinkcoop1st
Another great day of deep learning at the Early Childhood Summit! We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Randy Walker and Angie for generously providing lunch for our 160 educators today.
Your kindness and support are truly appreciated, and your generosity helped make the day even more special. Thank you for investing in those who invest in our youngest learners. We appreciate YOU!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Day 4 of the DMESC Early Childhood Summit was packed with valuable learning and practical strategies for our early childhood educators! 🌟
Today, participants learned from:
⭐ Kelli and Karen, who presented How to Be High CLASS, helping educators prepare for the new CLASS evaluations and strengthen high-quality interactions in the classroom.
⭐ Terri Grice from the Arkansas Office of Early Childhood – Minimum Licensing, who provided important updates and guidance on the childcare regulations that help ensure safe, high-quality learning environments.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Today, participants learned from:
⭐ Kelli and Karen, who presented How to Be High CLASS, helping educators prepare for the new CLASS evaluations and strengthen high-quality interactions in the classroom.
⭐ Terri Grice from the Arkansas Office of Early Childhood – Minimum Licensing, who provided important updates and guidance on the childcare regulations that help ensure safe, high-quality learning environments.
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL PARENTS
Watching your child grow and reach new milestones is one of the greatest rewards of parenthood. If you notice that your child is not meeting developmental milestones or is having difficulty doing things that other children of the same age can do, support and resources are available.
Contact your local school district or education service cooperative to learn about services for infants, children, and young adults from birth through age 21 who have developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
Kelli Parson, Early Childhood Coordinator (479) 385-4319 (for children 3-5 in all districts)
Watching your child grow and reach new milestones is one of the greatest rewards of parenthood. If you notice that your child is not meeting developmental milestones or is having difficulty doing things that other children of the same age can do, support and resources are available.
Contact your local school district or education service cooperative to learn about services for infants, children, and young adults from birth through age 21 who have developmental delays, disabilities, or other special needs.
Kelli Parson, Early Childhood Coordinator (479) 385-4319 (for children 3-5 in all districts)
Today we welcomed school nurses for the DMESC Back to School Nurse Workshop!*❤️🩺
From important health updates to best practices and collaboration, our nurses spent the day preparing for a safe, healthy, and successful school year. Thank you for the incredible care you provide to students, staff, and families every day. We appreciate all you do!
#thinkcoop1st
From important health updates to best practices and collaboration, our nurses spent the day preparing for a safe, healthy, and successful school year. Thank you for the incredible care you provide to students, staff, and families every day. We appreciate all you do!
#thinkcoop1st
What a way to wrap up Day 3 of the Early Childhood Summit!🌟
Today, we rolled out the red carpet for more than 160 early childhood educators who spent the day learning, collaborating, and growing together. 🎬🍿
Today's sessions included:
⭐ Gemini
⭐ Canva
⭐ Cybersecurity Awareness Training
⭐ How to Be High CLASS
⭐ Screening & SPED Overview for HIPPY, SPED & PreK
⭐ Math Strategies
Thank you to every participant, presenter, and partner who made today such a success. Your commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences for our youngest students is truly award-worthy! 🎥🏆
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
The Early Childhood Summit at the DMESC campus was a great success again today! We are incredibly grateful to Zeb's Lunch Box, Lockesburg Grocery Store, Shroer Medical, and Zacango's Mexican Restaurant for generously providing lunch for our 160 early childhood educators today.
A special thank you to Regina Grubbs for helping make today's lunch possible. Your support and generosity are truly appreciated. Our educators are thankful for the wonderful meal and for the community partners who helped make this event even more special!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
A special thank you to Regina Grubbs for helping make today's lunch possible. Your support and generosity are truly appreciated. Our educators are thankful for the wonderful meal and for the community partners who helped make this event even more special!
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
Lunch for day 2 of the EC summit was sponsored by Kara and Cody Tedford Farms and Todd Moore Shield of Shelter Insurance/Moore Logging Supply of Dierks. We are so grateful for the support of these community stakeholders.
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Rolling out the red carpet for Day 2 of our Early Childhood Summit! 🍿✨
Today’s feature: Captivating Kids’ Hearts! We’ve had a full house every day, and we are loving every minute of learning and connecting together.
We still have 3 more star-studded days to go! 🎬❤️
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Today’s feature: Captivating Kids’ Hearts! We’ve had a full house every day, and we are loving every minute of learning and connecting together.
We still have 3 more star-studded days to go! 🎬❤️
#thinkcoop1st
#LittleStepsBigFuture
#BuildingBrightFutures
Day 1 of the DMESC Early Childhood Summit 2026:
Lights, Camera, Early Childhood! We kicked off the week strong with Capturing Kids’ Hearts and our amazing presenters, Carrie Parsley and Allyson Price. A big thank you for our delicious lunch, coordinated by local leads Captain Karen Garner and prepared and provided by Telia Dunn with Cornerstone Counseling. We’re grateful for Telia’s culinary talents and generous heart. Looking forward to more inspiration and collaboration this week!
#LightsCameraEarlyChildhood #CapturingKidsHearts
Lights, Camera, Early Childhood! We kicked off the week strong with Capturing Kids’ Hearts and our amazing presenters, Carrie Parsley and Allyson Price. A big thank you for our delicious lunch, coordinated by local leads Captain Karen Garner and prepared and provided by Telia Dunn with Cornerstone Counseling. We’re grateful for Telia’s culinary talents and generous heart. Looking forward to more inspiration and collaboration this week!
#LightsCameraEarlyChildhood #CapturingKidsHearts
📢 Computer Science Teachers—Save the Dates! 💻🗓️
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
September 23, 2026
November 4, 2026
February 24, 2027
#thinkcoop1st
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
September 23, 2026
November 4, 2026
February 24, 2027
#thinkcoop1st
📢 Computer Science Teachers—Save the Dates! 💻🗓️
Final Meeting: February 24, 2027
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
#thinkcoop1st
Final Meeting: February 24, 2027
The 2026–2027 CS Impact meeting schedule is here! Be sure to mark your calendars and use the registration numbers below to secure your spot. We can't wait to learn and collaborate with you this year!
#thinkcoop1st
☀️ Summer learning. Year-round impact. Week 8 of DMESC Summer PD brought educators together to grow, collaborate, and prepare for a successful school year. From meaningful conversations to fresh ideas, our educators are ready to bring new learning back to their schools. Check out this week’s highlights! #thinkcoop1st #yourBESTsolution
☀️ Summer learning. Year-round impact. Week 8 of DMESC Summer PD brought educators together to grow, collaborate, and prepare for a successful school year. From meaningful conversations to fresh ideas, our educators are ready to bring new learning back to their schools. Check out this week’s highlights! #thinkcoop1st #yourBESTsolution
Special Education / Paraprofessional Opportunity Mena Area
Typical qualifications include:
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to pass required background checks.
Must meet Arkansas paraprofessional qualifications, which can be done by:
Passing the ParaPro Assessment/ParaPathways test, or
Completing at least 60 college credit hours, or
Earning an associate degree or higher.
If you're applying for the DMESC 3–5 Special Education Program in the Mena area, taking and passing the ParaPro exam is an accepted way to qualify if you don't already have the required college hours or degree.
Contact kelli.parson@dmesc.org or shelley.gilchrist@dmesc.org
Typical qualifications include:
High school diploma or GED.
Ability to pass required background checks.
Must meet Arkansas paraprofessional qualifications, which can be done by:
Passing the ParaPro Assessment/ParaPathways test, or
Completing at least 60 college credit hours, or
Earning an associate degree or higher.
If you're applying for the DMESC 3–5 Special Education Program in the Mena area, taking and passing the ParaPro exam is an accepted way to qualify if you don't already have the required college hours or degree.
Contact kelli.parson@dmesc.org or shelley.gilchrist@dmesc.org
