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The School of Education at the University of Arkansas at Monticello recently named two 2025-2026 Clinical Interns of the Year.

Olivia Justice from Monticello, Arkansas, received the award on April 9. Justice is a senior K-6 elementary education major at UAM and holds an Aspiring Teacher’s Permit (ATP). The ATP program began in 2023 and was developed by the Arkansas Department of Education Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to address teacher shortages in Arkansas. Students who qualify for the permit can be hired by schools as full-time teachers while they earn their bachelor’s degree.

Justice completed her internship as a full-time kindergarten teacher at McGehee Elementary School in McGehee, Arkansas. She credited Julie Day, instructor of education at UAM, and her mentor, Meredith Sandine, first-grade teacher at McGehee Elementary School, for their guidance and support throughout her internship, which has enabled her to start her teaching career with full confidence. After graduation, she will continue teaching at McGehee Elementary School.

“Olivia has been an absolute joy to mentor this year,” Sandine said. “She is always open to feedback and consistently applies it in meaningful ways, creating a positive and engaging classroom environment for her kindergarten students. Her dedication, growth and natural ability to connect with young learners make this recognition incredibly well deserved.”

Hannah Billings from Amity, Arkansas, received the clinical intern award on April 23. Billings, a senior, is earning a K-6 elementary education degree from UAM while based at National Park College (NPC) in Hot Springs, Arkansas. She is part of the second cohort in NPC’s partnership with UAM, which allows students to complete an associate degree from NPC and a bachelor’s degree from UAM while remaining on NPC’s campus for all four years.

Billings completed her internship at Ouachita Elementary School in Midway, Arkansas. She credited Jacqueline Verguson, adjunct university supervisor at NPC, and her mentor, Robin Kratz, third-grade teacher at Ouachita Elementary School, for their support and guidance, which strengthened her confidence in the classroom. She will teach first grade this fall at Bismarck Elementary School in Bismarck, Arkansas.

"It has been such an honor to mentor Hannah Billings. I am so proud of the hard work and growth she has achieved this year. Her receiving Intern of the Year was much deserved!" Kratz said.

Both students were selected based on a series of surveys and observation reports on their conduct as teachers and students.

Kristie Fowler, assistant dean and partnership coordinator of the School of Education and instructor of education at UAM, works closely with interns, providing support and feedback as needed. “Teaching is hard, and we want to highlight the amazing things our students are doing,” Fowler said. “We give the Clinical Intern of the Year awards because we want to shine a light on Olivia, Hannah and all of our outstanding interns to let them know that they are doing a phenomenal job and making a difference every single day. We want them to know how proud we are of them.” 

For more information about the partnership between NPC and UAM, contact Kristie Fowler at fowlerk@uamont.edu or 870-460-1362. For more information about the School of Education at UAM, contact Dr. Kim Level, dean of the School of Education at UAM, at level@uamont.edu or 870-460-1062.