UA Little Rock Graduate Finds Purpose in the Classroom
When Averee Betts walks into a classroom, everything else fades away.
The single mother from Benton has faced more than her share of obstacles—balancing motherhood, chronic health issues, school, and a part-time job. But through it all, she never let go of her belief that teaching is where she’s meant to be.
“There were times during my residency when I doubted if teaching was really my purpose,” Betts said. “But every time I stepped into the classroom, I felt peace. That’s when I knew this is what I’m supposed to do.”
Betts recently completed a year-long teaching residency at Murrell Taylor Elementary School in Jacksonville, where she worked with mentor teacher Wanda Eskridge in a fourth-grade classroom, describing the experience as transformative.
“It’s probably the best school I’ve ever been in,” she said. “The staff felt like family, and the support was amazing. I told them, if I could, I’d move the whole school to Saline County just so I could work there.”
The residency, part of UA Little Rock’s Trojan Teacher Residency Program, gave Betts not only hands-on experience but also the confidence to manage a classroom and collaborate with fellow educators.
“Lesson planning used to scare me,” she said. “Now I feel ready. I’ve grown so much in my confidence.”
She credits much of her growth to the support she received from her professors at UA Little Rock, especially site coordinators Dr. Kenya Brooks and Dr. Terri Guy.
“They’ve encouraged me through every doubt I’ve had,” Betts said. “Even after I had their classes, they stayed in touch and continued mentoring me. I ask a lot of questions, and they never made me feel like I couldn’t come to them.”
Betts was born in Georgia and moved to Arkansas when she was seven. She earned an associate degree from UA–Pulaski Tech and then transferred to UA Little Rock in 2023 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, a decision based on affordability, flexibility, and proximity to her daughter, Shyloh.
Balancing life as a student, mother, and employee hasn’t been easy. Betts has worked for eight years at Chick-fil-A in Bryant, where she says she’s received “incredible support” from her coworkers and supervisors.
“They’ve helped keep a roof over my daughter’s and my heads,” she said. “I’m really thankful.”
While graduation is a major milestone, Betts isn’t slowing down. She’s currently applying for teaching positions across Arkansas and plans to pursue a master’s degree in mathematics in the future.
Her advice to future students is to: Stay open, ask questions, and surround yourself with the right people.
“Don’t be afraid to lean on others. Find a support group that lifts you up. That makes all the difference.”
And if she ever has doubts about her future as an educator, Betts reflects on why she started this journey in the first place.
“My philosophy is to change the world one classroom at a time,” she said. “I remind myself of that whenever I start to question my path.”