Bastazo Hosts Teacher Interns Through UA Little Rock’s STRIVE Program to Strengthen STEM Workforce

Bastazo, an AI-driven cybersecurity company focused on protecting operational technology, recently partnered with the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s STRIVE program to host teacher interns from the Bentonville School District. 

The program placed three local educators, Matthew Possehl, Clint Holderby, and Taylor Kinsey, at Bastazo this summer, providing them with hands-on industry experience in cybersecurity, programming, and computer science.

The STRIVE program helps Arkansas STEM teachers gain real-world experience they can integrate into their classrooms to better prepare students for high-demand careers. The initiative aims to increase student awareness of the many STEM career paths available, strengthen their ability to succeed in those roles, promote evidence-based instructional practices, and expand teachers’ professional networks.

“Partnering with programs like STRIVE allows us to connect with educators who are shaping the next generation of talent,” said Dr. Philip Huff, chief scientist and co-founder of Bastazo as well as an associate professor of cybersecurity at UA Little Rock. “By giving teachers a firsthand look at how cybersecurity is evolving, we can help them bring relevant, cutting-edge knowledge back to their students.”

As part of STRIVE, these inquiring educators had the opportunity to spend four weeks of their summer embedded in a cutting-edge company like Bastazo, which offered the teachers a real-world view into how STEM concepts are applied across disciplines. They’ll bring what they learned back to the classroom in the form of innovative lessons meant to engage students in STEM learning. 

“By spending time in a high-tech environment like Bastazo, our teachers gained firsthand experience with how the STEM skills they teach are shaping critical sectors of our economy,” said Dr. Mark Baillie,  director of the STRIVE program at UA Little Rock. “A large majority of our STEM teachers have never been in the workforce outside of academia, yet they are supposed to be preparing students for jobs they haven’t seen or experienced themselves. These internships give teachers the tools to bring relevance and excitement back to their classrooms, helping students understand not just what they’re learning, but why it matters. And all this could one day lead to a meaningful career right here in Arkansas.”

This summer, 17 Arkansas teachers were placed at 12 partner sites, including Bastazo, through the STRIVE program. Collectively, these educators are expected to teach nearly 2,400 students across the state this year, equipping them with high-impact STEM lessons designed to boost their readiness for and success in STEM-related careers.

“Our teachers are at the forefront of preparing students for the future, and experiences like STRIVE give them valuable industry insight they can immediately bring back to the classroom,” said Dr. Debbie Jones, superintendent of Bentonville Schools. “By working alongside companies like Bastazo, our educators gain a deeper understanding of emerging technologies, which directly benefits our students and their readiness for tomorrow’s careers.”