Instructional Insights

What’s Working in Arkansas? Q&A on Growing Teacher Leaders

Featuring insights from Stephen Prince

Submitted by the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching

Stephen Prince is a longtime Arkansas educator and NIET Fellow serving as Master Teacher at Cross County High School. With 18 years of experience in both classrooms and administration, Prince is deeply involved in advancing teacher leadership and instructional quality. In this Q&A, he shares how NIET’s partnership helped drive growth and strengthen teaching across districts in the state.

How does teacher leadership contribute to success in Arkansas schools?

Teacher leaders serve as a vital bridge between administrators and classroom teachers to improve instructional practices across systems and build educator capacity. They offer hands-on support, model lessons, and help all teachers reflect on their practice. The key is relationship-building and strength-based coaching, while helping teachers grow without feeling evaluated. Teacher leaders also observe collaboration, which helps them tailor support and improve instruction school-wide.

How has NIET shaped your approach to instructional leadership?

NIET has been instrumental in our growth at Cross County School. Before the partnership, we lacked a clear, evidence-based support system. The TAP System core training strengthened our leadership teams and equipped us to best support teachers, which led to real progress. When I became principal at Cross County High School, we were a D-rated school. Through NIET’s support and our use of their resources, we steadily improved and reached a B-score rating. That growth reflects the power of strong systems and consistent coaching.

What’s one key element NIET offers to Arkansas partners that’s made a difference?

The NIET instructional rubric. It defines what great teaching looks like and serves as a foundation for professional learning. That structure helps bring cohesion and unity to all levels of educators and administrators in a school. Based on my experience as an educator in Arkansas, schools that implement it with fidelity are better positioned to see gains in teacher and student outcomes.