Lead Professional Educator
Arkansas educators can earn their LPE designation through an ADE-approved Modern Classrooms Project professional development pathway.
Three Steps to Get Your Designation
Complete initial training through the Virtual Mentorship Program (a virtual, 25-30 hour course).
Implement what you’ve learned and become a Distinguished Modern Classrooms educator. (est. 1 - 2 school years)
Become an Expert Mentor and complete mentor training. (typically in the same 1-2 school years)
Because ADE recognizes the impact teacher leadership plays on school reform, the Lead Professional Educator designation was created to provide exceptional teachers with a way to lead from the classroom.
Step 1: Complete initial training
Math Innovation Fellowship
This year-long program was available to Little Rock School District educators for the 2024 - 25 school year and included summer training, year-long coaching calls, classroom visits, and virtual workshops. We are not currently accepting new fellows.
Virtual Mentorship Program
This program is a self-paced, mentor-supported course that teaches you how to build a Modern Classroom. It’s all in the name:
Virtual: Online and asynchronous (with optional live sessions), with the flexibility to complete learning when it works for you.
Mentorship: You’ll be paired with an educator expert who supports you in adapting our model to your learners’ needs.
Program: A cohort-based course with information, resources, live sessions, and required submissions.
Programs are offered throughout the summer and school year and require 25-30 hours of course work.
Step 2: Become a DMCE
Once you're running an effective Modern Classroom, complete your application to become a Distinguished Modern Classrooms Educator (DMCE) to take the next step toward earning your Lead Professional Educator Designation.
DMCEs are teacher leaders who implement blended, self-paced, mastery-based instruction in their own communities. The application will guide you through submitting materials from your classroom and explaining your student-centered classroom processes and procedures to a panel of Modern Classroom Expert Mentors. This takes between one to two school years, on average, to achieve.
Step 3: Become an Expert Mentor
When you become a DMCE, you'll receive details on how to apply to become an Expert Mentor. Modern Classrooms contracts Expert Mentors to provide one-on-one coaching and support to educators completing the Virtual Mentorship Program.
Applications to become an Expert Mentor are accepted on a rolling basis and Mentor Academy is typically offered in the Fall and Winter.
