Arkansas Educators Congregate for Entrepreneurship-led Education Initiatives

Arkansas K-12 educators gathered earlier this month for an immersive professional development experience focused on entrepreneurship and innovation in education. The day-long session was part of Economics Arkansas’ Connecting Educators to Entrepreneurs series, which was designed by a central Arkansas-based entrepreneurship and innovation support organization, Conductor.

Partnered with ACC Capital, Economics Arkansas, Conductor, the Conway Downtown Partnership, and the University of Central Arkansas, the workshop exposed educators to entrepreneurial thinking and provided them with tools they can use in their classrooms.

“Our team is passionate about helping educators understand and apply entrepreneurial thinking, both for themselves and for their students,” said Grace Rains, executive director of Conductor. “This kind of professional development not only transforms classrooms, it also helps create a pipeline of innovative thinkers and problem-solvers across Arkansas.”

The Conductor team facilitated the day’s programming, beginning with an overview of local communities impacted by entrepreneurship-led economic developments. Educators then took walking tours of downtown Conway businesses, allowing participants to engage directly with business owners and hear about entrepreneurial triumphs and challenges.

A panel discussion and Q&A session with local entrepreneurs offered honest, inspiring insights into the entrepreneurial journey. This was followed by an “Innovation Sprint,” where educators worked in teams to tackle complex problems using creative, collaborative approaches. The day concluded with a Lean Canvas workshop led by UCA’s Dr. Tracy Suter, giving educators a practical and adaptable framework for launching business ideas that is valuable in both classroom and real-world contexts.

“We are proud to provide educators with opportunities to connect directly with the entrepreneurial community,” added Kathleen Lawson, executive director of Economics Arkansas. “These experiences not only enhance teaching practices but also empower students to think critically, creatively and entrepreneurially.”

The Connecting Educators to Entrepreneurs series, now in its second year, expands the successful Connecting Educators to Industry initiative. Both programs are designed to help educators bridge the gap between classroom learning and the real-world economy by introducing students to critical thinking, problem-solving and business acumen.

Upcoming Workshop Dates and Locations: