I Am a Rural Teacher: Ava Hollins-Rogers – West Memphis, AR

Ava’s journey into education started as an adjunct instructor at what is now ASU Mid-South Community College. It was there that she discovered her passion for teaching, but more importantly, where she realized that her greatest impact would come from working with children. In 2018, she stepped into a classroom in Earle, Arkansas, a rural setting that challenged and inspired her in equal measure. “No two days were ever the same,” Ava reflects. “But the work was deeply fulfilling. I knew I was where I was meant to be.”

Schools in the Arkansas Delta face a significant teacher shortage, and Ava began teaching on a three-year emergency license. Determined to grow in the profession while navigating financial constraints, she searched for alternative pathways to full licensure. That search led her to Arkansas Teacher Corps (ATC), a decision that would shape the trajectory of her career forever.

The Arkansas Teacher Corps is an alternative educator pathway program that provides teachers-to-be with the educational, leadership, and life skills needed to thrive in the classroom. Brandon Lucius, Executive Director of the Arkansas Teacher Corps, serves as a primary contact for the Arkansas Delta Regional Hub.

The program offers more than a pathway to certification, it provides a community of support. Through ATC, Ava was paired with a mentor who helped her refine her instructional practice, while intensive training sessions strengthened her skills as both an educator and an advocate. After her first year, she stepped into a mentorship role herself, supporting incoming fellows. It was a turning point. “That experience is where my leadership journey really began,” she says.

Over the next several years, Ava continued to grow within Arkansas Teacher Corps, moving from mentor to co-facilitator and now serving as a facilitator. She also leads math content sessions and supports fellows preparing for the Praxis exam, a requirement for permanent licensure. Along the way, she found not just professional development, but a network of support that she describes as family.

Through her work with ATC, Ava has accessed opportunities that extend beyond her classroom. She recently completed the Arkansas Teacher Leadership Cohort through Arkansas Public School Resource Center. In addition, she participated in the Rural School Leadership Academy, collaborating with educators across the country, and has earned professional certificates through Harvard University. 

Each experience has deepened her commitment to leadership in rural education – a commitment that is also personal. As someone who grew up in a rural community and became a teen mother, Ava was once told her future would be limited. She sees her journey differently. “My life wasn’t ruined,” she says. “It was redirected with intention and resilience.”

Today, Ava serves as a lead teacher at her grade level at the West Memphis School District and has been selected for the West Memphis School District’s Leadership Cohort for Aspiring Principals and Emerging Leaders. Her leadership, she explains, is grounded in consistency, service, and advocacy for both students and fellow educators.

In her school community, those values show up in everyday interactions. Ava works to build trust with families, collaborate with colleagues, and create a sense of shared responsibility for student success. Whether mentoring new teachers or facilitating professional development, she focuses on listening, showing up, and ensuring that every voice is valued. “Our school is the heart of the community,” she says. “It’s where relationships are built, where support is shared, and where hope for the future begins.”

Like many rural educators, Ava navigates challenges that extend beyond the classroom. Limited resources, restricted access to enrichment opportunities, and ongoing teacher retention issues all shape the realities of her work. But she approaches those challenges with the same mindset that has guided her career: persistence and collaboration.

She leans on partnerships, professional networks, and programs like Arkansas Teacher Corps to sustain her work and expand opportunities for her students. At the same time, she advocates for broader systemic change, including increased funding, competitive salaries, and dedicated support for rural schools.

Despite the challenges, what stands out most to Ava is the sense of connection that defines rural life. In her community, relationships are close, support is visible, and success is shared. Students grow up surrounded by people who know them, believe in them, and invest in their future. For Ava, that is the heart of the work.

“Build relationships. Seek mentorship. Stay connected,” she advises new teachers. “What you do matters and the impact you make will last far beyond your classroom.”

Thank you to Ava Hollins-Rogers for sharing her rural teacher story with Rural Schools Collaborative. Toni was nominated to share her story by RSC’s Arkansas Hub Lead. Would you like to nominate someone or share your story as a rural educator? Fill out our online submission form here.

I Am A Rural Teacher shares the stories, experiences, and aspirations of America’s rural teachers. By highlighting the narratives of veteran, new, and future teachers, I Am A Rural Teacher strives to support an education ecosystem where rural teacher-leaders are front and center. This project is supported by the Rural Teacher Corps: A Community of Learners.