The University of Central Arkansas Mashburn Center for Learning (UCA MCL) creates partnerships with educators to provide resources and high-quality professional learning opportunities that encourage them to promote a sense of purpose, hope, academic achievement, and resilience for all learners, specifically those who struggle and experience barriers to learning.
| Mashburn Center for Learning | Director: | |
|---|---|---|
| Mashburn Hall Room 127 | Dr. Renee Calhoon | |
| University of Central Arkansas | Phone: 501.852.0282 | |
| 201 Donaghey Avenue | kcalhoon@uca.edu | |
| Conway, AR 72035 |
Educators Gather at UCA for Arkansas Strategic Instruction Model Update
Hosted by UCA Mashburn Center for Learning
Nearly 70 educators from across the state gathered at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) for the Arkansas Strategic Instruction Model (SIM) Update, hosted by the UCA Mashburn Center for Learning and the University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning. Additionally, the UCA College of Education, the AR Department of Education, the Special Education Unit, and the Bailey Education Group provided financial support for this event. The event provided an opportunity for participants to deepen their understanding of the SIM with a strong focus on the Smarter Instructional Cycle, Unit Organizer Routine, and Concept Mastery Routine. In addition, the Arkansas SIM Professional Developers were able to renew their certification for facilitating SIM professional development for another two years.
Participants engaged in two days of interactive professional learning designed to strengthen instructional practices and support student success. Educators explored key tools and components of the SIM, aimed at promoting more purposeful planning, clearer content organization, and deeper student understanding.
Participants expressed interest in continued learning and coaching, highlighting the value and relevance of the instructional methods introduced. The UCA Mashburn Center for Learning will be offering follow-up opportunities and additional support in the coming months to extend the impact of this professional development.
The Arkansas SIM Update reflects the UCA Mashburn Center for Learning’s mission of creating partnerships with educators to provide resources and high-quality professional learning opportunities that encourage them to promote a sense of purpose, hope, academic achievement, and resilience for all learners, specifically those who struggle and experience barriers to learning.
A Word from the Director:
Dr. J.D. Mashburn:
Dr. and Mrs. J. D. Mashburn had never heard of learning disabilities until two of their four children children struggled with reading from an early age. According to Dr. Mashburn, the children’s struggles with reading nearly devastated their lives as teachers mistook their disabilities for a lack of trying. Dr. and Mrs. Mashburn decided to establish the Christine Greenhaw Mashburn Institute named in honor of Dr. Mashburn’s mother. The institute was designed to bring authorities on learning disabilities to UCA to educate teachers about students with special needs. The Mashburn Center for Learning partnered with Dr. Don Deshler, a nationally recognized authority on learning disabilities from the University of Kansas.
In 1991, the University of Central Arkansas used the cash value of a $1 million life insurance policy the Mashburns purchased to host the Mashburn Center for Learning for the purpose of providing classroom teachers and administrators with research-based instructional strategies for use with students at-risk to fail or fall behind.
The Legacy of Dr. J.D. Mashburn: A Video Reflection with Donald Deshler and Mark Cooper
UCA Mashburn Center for Learning Professional Learning Opportunities:
UCA Mashburn Center for Learning Professional Partnerships:
- Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (https://sites.google.com/view/inclusive-practices/home)
- AR Schools (https://www.arschools.org/) (https://link.edgepilot.com/s/3c448c3a/4JIcBgaj9ESzseH8dIuVvA?u=https://bit.ly/ar-schools-about-us)
- Arkansas School Districts and Schools
- Arkansas Educational Cooperatives
- University of Kansas Center for Research on Learning (https://sim.ku.edu/)
