UA Little Rock students celebrate Match Day with Jacksonville NPSD
June 30 - July 6, 2025
By Angelita Faller
Four University of Arkansas at Little Rock students were honored on May 9 during a special Match Day ceremony hosted by the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, marking the next step in their journey to becoming teachers through the Trojan Teacher Residency Program.
The celebratory event was held at Pinewood Elementary School. The four future educators – Amari Boone, Melissa Lambert, Laura Reynolds, and Baxley Travis – were invited to the stage to open an envelope that revealed their mentor teachers, grade levels, and school placements for the 2025-26 academic year. The residents are matched with experienced educators who will guide them throughout their year-long residency.
Amari Boone, an elementary education major from Little Rock, will be working in kindergarten at Bobby G. Lester Elementary School with mentor teacher Melissa Comier. Boone’s passion for teaching began at a young age through Sunday School and mentoring her younger cousins.
“I feel very privileged to be part of this residency program,” Boone said. “I feel well prepared and, most importantly, overly supported. I can’t imagine how being a teacher would be without experiencing this first.”
She said the Match Day event was more than she expected and helped her feel comfortable about the year ahead.
“I met my mentor teacher, and I love her already. She was super sweet, and I felt very comfortable with her.”
Melissa Lambert, a special education master’s student and mother of four boys from Austin, Arkansas, will complete her residency at Jacksonville Middle School under mentor Kathy Eason. This marks the first time that a special education student will complete a residency through the Trojan Teacher Residency Program.
“I am a nontraditional student,” Lambert said. “I have three sons who have needed specialized instruction and helping them during their educational careers inspired me to do the same for others.”
Lambert was overwhelmed by the support shown at Match Day and said the residency offers invaluable hands-on experience.
“I believe that learning in class is the start of your education. The on-the-job experience I will gain through this program will benefit me throughout my educational career.”
Baxley Travis, a history major with a secondary education focus from Redfield, Arkansas, will also teach at Jacksonville Middle School, co-teaching eighth-grade social studies with mentor Zachary Dennis.
“Match Day was overwhelming but wonderful. I didn’t expect to be recognized and given so much encouragement,” Travis said. “Mr. Dennis seems like a great teacher, and I know I will learn a lot with him as my mentor.”
Inspired by great educators in her life, Travis said the residency offers an important stepping stone to becoming a confident and capable teacher.
“I think it will be a great way to get comfortable in a classroom and build my confidence as an educator,” she said.
Dr. Kristin Dutcher Mann, social studies education coordinator and Travis’ advisor, said that Travis is lucky to be on the receiving end of so much UA Little Rock history. Travis’ mentor, Dennis, is one of Mann’s former students who graduated UA Little Rock in 2017. Dennis, in turn, completed his student teaching with another UA Little Rock alumnus, Greg Frantal.
“I am glad to see our program’s legacy continue with the expansion of our yearlong residency partnership to students in our secondary licensure programs in Jacksonville,” Mann said. “It is a privilege to re-engage with former students like Zach as they share their classrooms and their expertise with current students.”
The Trojan Teacher Residency Program, launched in 2023 through a grant from Forward Arkansas, is designed to address the state’s teacher shortage by offering education majors a full year of co-teaching and mentorship, while also providing financial support.
“With support from Forward Arkansas, we had a vision for a year-long paid residency program, but we could not do that on our own,” said Dr. Sarah Beth Estes, dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, Social Sciences, and Education. “A testament to the success of this model is the fact that three of the students who were residents are now full-time teachers in the district.”
Jacksonville North Pulaski Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Owoh praised the value the residency program brings to the district.
“This program brings up-and-coming teachers into our classrooms and allows us to play a role in their development,” Owoh said. “It’s a win for everyone—our students, our schools, and the future of education in Arkansas.”
As Match Day concluded, district leaders, mentors, university faculty, and residents celebrated with photos, handshakes, and shared excitement for the year ahead.
“I don’t want you to just look at this as just Match Day,” said Dr. Janice Walker, JNPSD assistant superintendent. “I want you to look at this as a journey that you’re starting as a partnership, because that’s what it is. It’s one in which you will grow, learn, and build relationships, and you’re going to be able to inspire.”
Photo Caption:
UA Little Rock School of Education student Laura Reynolds, right, is matched with her teacher mentor, Regina Eubanks, left, during a Match Day event at Pineview Elementary School.
Photo Credit:
Photo by Benjamin Krain
