UA Little Rock Teacher Residents Celebrate Match Day, Begin Journey Into Arkansas Classrooms

Six UA Little Rock students learned where they will complete year-long teaching residencies during the 2026–27 academic year and are eager to begin working alongside mentor teachers in Central Arkansas classrooms.

Students in the Trojan Teacher Residency Program celebrated Match Day with faculty, classmates, and school partners as they learned which schools and mentor teachers they will work with during a year-long residency in Central Arkansas.

The residency program pairs future educators with experienced mentor teachers, allowing students to co-teach lessons, strengthen classroom management skills, and build meaningful relationships with students before graduating and entering the profession full time.

The 2026 teacher residents include:

• Katelynn Burdiek, placed at Jacksonville Middle School in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, where she will work with mentor teacher Shannon Tipton while pursuing licensure in English Language Arts for grades 4-8.
• Pedro Cortez Munoz, placed at Jacksonville Middle School in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, where he will work with mentor teacher Deanna Malone while pursuing licensure in Social Studies for grades 7-12.
• Brandon Gonzalez, placed at Jacksonville Middle School in the Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, where he will work with mentor teacher Meyosha Trammell while pursuing licensure in mathematics for grades 4-8.
• Terrika Smith, placed at J.A. Fair K-8 Preparatory School in the Little Rock School District, where she will work with mentor teacher Sarah McPherson while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
• Anne Marie de Luca, will complete her special education residency at Forest Heights STEM Academy in the Little Rock School District under mentor teacher Amanda Gammill.
• Dawn Summons, placed at Forest Heights STEM Academy in the Little Rock School District, where she will also work with mentor teacher Amanda Gammill while pursuing special education licensure.

For Smith, Match Day marked the beginning of a long-term goal to become the kind of teacher who leaves a lasting impact on students.

“My hope is to learn and grow into an amazing elementary teacher who inspires students and fosters a love for learning in the classroom,” Smith said. “I’m looking forward to building meaningful relationships with both students and staff while gaining valuable experience throughout the school year.”

Smith said she is especially excited to begin her residency at J.A. Fair and hopes the experience could lead to a long-term future in the district.

“As of now, my plan is to love the school so much that it, or at least the Little Rock School District, becomes my home long-term,” Smith said.

The Trojan Teacher Residency Program continues to strengthen partnerships between UA Little Rock and Arkansas school districts while helping address the growing need for highly trained educators across the state. Through immersive classroom experiences, students graduate with practical teaching experience and professional mentorship that prepare them to lead their own classrooms with confidence.

The Match Day celebration also allowed residents to meet school leaders, connect with mentors, and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter as future Arkansas educators.