2026 Aspiring Principals Workshop

Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals

The Arkansas Association of Elementary School Principals (AAESP) is sponsoring the “Aspiring Principals Workshop” at regional locations around the state. 

The Aspiring Principals Workshop is designed to provide an overview of the principalship to those individuals who are considering a career in Pre K-12 school administration. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at each location, with the workshop beginning at 9:00 a.m. The day’s activities will conclude at 3:00 p.m.

Being mindful of the high number of retirements among the ranks of school principals in the state during the next five to ten years, the AAEA/AAESP Board of Directors offers this opportunity to encourage quality educators to enter the principalship. The content of the day will be meant to provide both a theoretical and practical view of what building-level leadership is like. One special component of the program will be a panel discussion featuring local distinguished principals from elementary, middle, and high school.

Registration Cost: $55.00 for AAEA Members

$65.00 for Non-members

Date/Location Options: 

February 10, 2026

Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative

1022 Scogin Drive 

Conference Room A

Monticello, AR 

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Trainer: 

Lunch on your own

(Max. 50)

February 25, 2026

Cabot Administrative Office

Professional Development Center

602 N Lincoln

Cabot, AR

9:00 am to 3:00 pm 

Trainers: Carol Skiba and Jill Fletcher

Lunch on your own

(Max 60)

February 26, 2026

Northeast Education Service Cooperative

211 W Hickory St.

Walnut Ridge, Arkansas 72476

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Trainers: Mark Manchester, Betsy Laughter  

Lunch on your own

(Max 65)

February 26, 2026

Peak Innovation Center-ArcBest Room

5900 Painter Lane

Fort Smith, AR 72903

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m.

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Trainers: Nicole Shaffer and Ami Griggs

Lunch on your own

(Max. 100)

March 4, 2026

Conway Public Schools Administrative Annex 

1902 Hairston Street

Conway, AR

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Trainers: Shavon Jackson and Carise Echols

Lunch on your own

(Max. 35)

March 6, 2026

Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative

4 N. Double Springs Rd 72730

Room 17

Farmington, AR 

9:00 am to 3:00 pm

Trainers: Justin Swope

(Max. 55)

AAEA Contact: 

Dr. Karla Neathery

Assistant Executive Director

k.neathery@theaaea.org

Lana Webb

Membership & Certification Coordinator

l.webb@theaaea.org