The following postings have been shared with ACTAA or recommended by Google Alerts. Please check the referenced school district's website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Oral Communication/JAG Teacher

Osceola School District is seeking a Oral Communication/JAG Teacher for High School. Apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/OSD1/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=High+School+Teaching.

Drama/Technical Theatre Teacher

Pulaski County Special School District is seeking a Drama/Technical Theatre Teacher for Sylvan Hills High School. Apply at: https://pcssd.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5103377.

High School Teacher - Theatre

Bentonville Public Schools is seeking a High School Theatre Teacher for the High School. Apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/bentonville/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=High+School+Licensed&subcategory=Theatre.

Theater and Oral Communications Teacher

White Hall School District is seeking a Theater and Oral Communications Teacher for the High School. Apply at: https://www.applitrack.com/whitehallsd/onlineapp/default.aspx?Category=High+School+Teaching&AppliTrackJobId=1344&AppliTrackLayoutMode=detail&AppliTrackViewPosting=1.

Secondary Drama Teacher

SHERIDAN SCHOOL DISTRICT is seeking a Secondary Drama Teacher for the High School. Apply at: https://ssdar.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5143397.

As we look ahead to another exciting season for Arkansas high school forensics and theatre, it’s time to start thinking about the 2025–2026 tournament and performance calendar. The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association (ACTAA) has released key scheduling guidelines and submission dates for the upcoming academic year.

The official ACTAA calendar, maintained by the Executive Secretary, will continue to serve as the centralized schedule for all sanctioned speech and debate tournaments and theatre performances across the state.

Here are a few important details and deadlines to keep in mind:

• Starting February 16, 2025, tournament directors may begin submitting their preferred dates for inclusion on the 2025–2026 ACTAA calendar.

• These dates will be formally presented to the ACTAA membership at Fall Conference, where traditional tournament dates will be carried forward into the upcoming year’s calendar unless changes are requested.

• No tournaments may be scheduled prior to Fall Conference, and official ACTAA events must be confirmed on the calendar before any local or regional tournaments can be approved.

• To ensure focus and participation at the Arkansas State Championship (ASC), no tournaments will be permitted during the two weeks leading up to ASC.

We encourage all directors and program coordinators to begin planning now to secure their traditional dates and ensure a well-organized, conflict-free schedule for all participating schools.

ACTAA Calendar Request Form

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2025 Arkansas Forensics & Debate State Championship Tournament, held May 2–3 at Fayetteville High School! Your dedication and talent made this year's event a memorable one.

As we reflect on the tournament, we're committed to making future championships even better — and we need your help. Whether you were a student, coach, judge, volunteer, or guest, we value your input.

📝 Please take a few minutes to complete our feedback form:

ASC Feedback Form

Your feedback helps us:

Improve event logistics and scheduling

Enhance judging quality and fairness

Ensure a positive experience for all attendees

Thank you for being part of the Arkansas forensics and debate community. We appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you next season!

Each year, ACTAA thrives because of members like you—dedicated educators, artists, and advocates who believe in the power of communication and theatre to transform lives. Now, we invite you to take the next step in your professional journey by serving our community through leadership on the ACTAA Board or one of our committees.

Why Serve?
Service is at the heart of who we are. It’s how we lift each other up, share the load, and build a stronger future for our students, our colleagues, and our disciplines. Whether you’ve been involved for years or are just finding your place in ACTAA, there is a space for your voice, your ideas, and your leadership.

By stepping into service, you can:

• Make a meaningful impact on our profession and organization
• Help shape the direction of ACTAA programs and initiatives
• Grow your network and learn alongside passionate, like-minded peers
• Inspire others through your example of service and commitment

Opportunities Available:

• Board of Directors – Help guide ACTAA's mission and vision through strategic leadership and collaboration.

• Committee Membership – Contribute your skills and energy to essential efforts such as conference planning, advocacy, equity initiatives, student programs, and more.

We Need You.
ACTAA is strongest when its leadership reflects the diversity and dedication of its membership. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or an emerging professional, your perspective matters. Don’t wait to be asked—this is your invitation.

Ready to Serve?
Please complete the Leadership Interest Form by June 30 to express your interest or nominate a colleague. We can’t wait to see how you’ll help lead ACTAA into the future.

Questions? Reach out to Zackery Tucker (zatucker@asub.edu)—we’d love to talk with you about where your strengths might shine.

Let’s lead together.

The following postings have been shared with ACTAA or recommended by Google Alerts. Please check the referenced school district's website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Middle School Theater Teacher

Fayetteville Public Schools is seeking a Theater Teacher for John L Colbert Middle School. Apply at: https://district.schoolspring.com/?jobid=5025884.

Secondary Oral Communications and Drama Teacher

The Harrison School District is seeking a  Oral Communications and Drama Teacher for Harrison High School. Apply at: https://hps.applicantstack.com/x/detail/a2061eciie3e.

Jr. High Drama Teacher

Jonesboro Public School is seeking a Jr. High Drama Teacher for Annie Camp Junior High. Apply at: https://www.jonesboroschools.net/Page/514.

Middle School Drama Teacher

The Fouke School District is seeking a Middle School Drama Teacher for Paulette Smith Middle School. Apply at: https://www.foukepanthers.org/118032_2.

The Board of Directors meets every two months to receive updates from committees/ officers and discuss association matters. In addition to the discussion on updates on summer workshop, fall conference, the virtual summer camp, and background checks for ACTAA events, the following outlines updates from the Board’s March 30th meeting.

Print Ballots & Event Rules Update.

Over the last several month the Arkansas State Championship Committee has reviewed the print ballots, and prepared several corrections to inconsistencies between he print ballots event rules and practice in the state and NSDA Unified Manual. However, some determinations will need to be voted on by the member at Fall Conference as practice in state might be better suited to the event than NSDA or ballot wording. (e.g., storytelling, impromptu speaking, prose, reader’s theatre, words and music, song lyric interpretation, and duo improvisation). Board members will review the proposed ballots ahead of the May Board meeting, and time will be set aside at Summer Workshop for membership feedback on ballots/ event rules, and final language will be proposed for membership approval at Fall Conference.

ACTAA College Intern.

At the January Board Meeting, Martene Campbell presented the concept of ACTAA having a volunteer non-paid intern to assist with social media and fundraising. The board ask Campbell to develop a proposal and present the idea at its March meeting. At the March 30th meeting, the Board approved the creation of  college intern positions to assist ACTAA Leadership with social media, particular at ACTAA sponsored events. The Board approved to offer the internship to Lesleigh Sullivan of Arkansas State University in the immediate to support social media for the   Arkansas State Championship, May 2-3. ACTAA Leadership will develop an application process for consideration by the Board at Summer Workshop, and to solicit interest for applicants for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Tournament Advisory Committee.

In January, the association ratified changed to the ACTAA By-laws which included restricting the Tournament Advisory Committee (TAC). As a result, the ACTAA President Zackery Tucker needed to appoint new at-large members to TAC, with confirmation by the Board. The Board approved Casey Griffith of Conway High School, Chris Flowers of Little Rock West-Hall School of innovation, Antha Johnson of Fayetteville High School and Daniel Caudle of Har-Ber High School to serve on TAC in a rotating cycle to be determined by drawing lots at Summer Workshop. In addition to the four appointed at-large positions, the ACTAA President, ASC Director (Rosie Valdez-Block, and Student Congress Director (Martene Campbell) serve on the committee ex officio. 

The deadline for Academic All-State & Academic State Champion rosters for both Speech & Debate and Theatre programs is extended to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 18.

This extension provides additional time for schools to complete their academic rosters and ensure eligible students are recognized for their outstanding academic achievements.

In response to recent questions, ACTAA would like to clarify the GPA requirements:

• The cumulative GPA should reflect the student’s entire high school transcript,

• It must include grades through the end of the fall semester,

• It may include grades through the 3rd nine weeks if your school officially updates cumulative GPA at 3rd nine weeks.

• Roster should include all students in the program that meet the participation definition (e.g., theatre students must have had a role in at least one production during the academic year (i.e., acting, tech, props, scene design, etc.) and speech & debate students must have completed in at least two tournaments during the academic year.)

ACTAA-member sponsored Theatre programs are strongly encouraged to participate, as a separate category for Theatre Academic All-State and Academic State Champion has been established to celebrate excellence in the performing arts.

Educators are encouraged to take advantage of the extended deadline and ensure all deserving students are recognized. For more information or to submit rosters, please visit the ACTAA website or contact the organization directly.

ACTAA Academic Roster Reporting Form

Academic All-State

Academic All-State recognition is awarded to student speech & debate competitors and theatre production members who have achieved academically in addition to co-curricular activities in communication & theatre arts. ACTAA members sponsoring the program must submit a roster of the names and compatible GPA on a 4.0 scale of students active in their program. (e.g., theatre students must have had a role in at least one production during the academic year (i.e., acting, tech, props, scene design, etc.) and speech & debate students must have completed in at least two tournaments during the academic year.) Rosters are due April 15 and must be signed by the coach and appropriate principal. The top 10% of students in speech & debate and theatre of all the students reported will be recognized in each category.

Sponsors with students that meet the requirements will be provided a certificate at registration of the ASC tournament, along with All-State Speech & Debate certificates. If no representative is present at ASC, certificates will be mailed to the school.

Academic State Champion

The school with the highest average cumulative grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0 scale in speech & debate and theatre will be recognized at the ASC tournament as the Academic State Champions for their category (i.e., speech & debate or theatre).The second and third-highest average GPAs in speech & debate and theatre will be recognized as finalists for the award.

The Academic State Champions are presented a plaque similar to competition state champion recognition awarded by ACTAA at the ASC, May 2-3.

Bentonville High School is seeking a long-term substitute teacher for a Theatre & Forensics position, starting February 10 and needed until March 14 (and possibly the following week March 17-21). Dates are tentative and may be subject to change. For more information, contact Assistant Principal Greg Puckett at gpuckett@bentonvillek12.org or (479) 254-5100.

With the start of the legislative session this spring, the Advocacy & Public Engagement Committee, working with the president, has developed a new webpage to update members on ACTAA's work, legislation, and regulations that affect matters related to our mission. 

The online ACTAA Advocacy Center will include posts highlighting updates on the committee’s work, announcements from the Department of Education and the state legislature, and links to legislation and issues the committee has determined might affect our association or be of interest to members.

Members log into the ACTAA website and access the ACTAA Advocacy Center, https://actaa.org/AdvocacyUpdates/.  

The Advocacy & Public Engagement Committee  (formerly the Professional Standards Committee) works with state agencies and other professional organizations to promote ACTAA's mission and vision of "a future where every student In Arkansas can be transformed through participation in communication, debate, and theatre arts."

Updates on speech, debate, or theatre education advocacy can be emailed to Leigh Walters (committee chair) and Zackery Tucker (president) at  (actaa.ar@gmail.com).

At its January 2025 meeting, the Board of Directors reviewed public comments submitted on Nov. 3, 2024, Committee Restructure Amendment to the Bylaws and approved ratifying the amendment as adopted in November without changes.

Background.

At its Nov.3 meeting, the Board of Directors approved to amend Articles I and II of the ACTAA Bylaws to modernize committee structure as a strategy of the ACTAA in Action strategic plan approved at the Fall Conference.

In compliance with ACTAA By-laws, Article VII, section 2, before the amendment can be ratified and engrossed, the Board-approved amendment was published via email to the membership for thirty (30) days for members to submit comments on the amendment in the November 18 Newsletter.

If the amendment receives no comments from the membership after the thirty (30) day comment period, the amendment would have been ratified effective December 18. Since the amendment received at least one comment on the proposed changes during the thirty (30) day comment period, the Board of Directors shall review the comments at its January 5 meeting, where the Board will: "(1) approve the amendment with recommended changes; or (2) approve the amendment “as is,” with no changes, by a two-thirds vote."

Amendment Details.

This amendment removes the unnecessary references of “permanent” in committee name types (AI §1), adds language to clarify better the difference between standing and special committees (AI §7(1)), reorganizes committees in the document to better align with their appropriate committee type (AI §6(2a-j) & §7(2a-f)), moves liaison positions from Article I, [Committees] §7(2) to Article II, [Officers] (AII §7-10), and other non-substantive changes for clarification (AI §2, §5, §6(2), §6(2c), §7(2), & §7(2E).

Additionally, the amendment renames the Professional Standards Committee to the Advocacy and Public Engagement Committee (AI §6(2a)), the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee to the Belonging and Inclusion Advocacy (BIA) Committee (AI §6(2d)), and the Recruitment and Mentoring Committee to the New Member Support Committee (AI §6(2g)). The purpose and function of these committees will not change.

The amendment adds a reference to the ACTAA Professional & Ethical Standards of Conduct in the purpose of the Ethical Practices Committee. (AI §6(2e))

Finally, the amendment restructures the Tournament Advisory Committee (TAC) to be a defined seven members, including the President, the ASC Permanent Director, and the Student Congress Permanent Director serving ex-officio and four general members appointed by the President. The amendment also establishes clearer committee expectations, including who TAC complaints should be reported, who should be included in conferring, and examples of potential outcomes. (AI §6(2j)).

Amendment Language.

The following document outlines the amendment in two versions.

·        The first version (pages 2-12) is in markup⎼⎼showing the changes highlighted in red text, with stricken language being removed and underlined language being added to the document.

·        The second version (pages 13-20) is a “clean” version⎼⎼showing the document as amended with the changes incorporated in the document.

Public Comment Summary.

The commenters oppose the proposed restructuring of the Tournament Advisory Committee (TAC), citing concerns about consolidating power within the Board of Directors, limiting diverse viewpoints, and creating a perception of exclusivity that may discourage broader participation. They recommend expanding TAC roles to include individuals not already in leadership positions, retaining the requirement for members to host tournaments, and ensuring leaders have substantial hands-on experience in tournament management. They propose allowing the general membership to nominate and vote for TAC members to enhance transparency and inclusivity. Additionally, they call for more straightforward guidelines on sanctions, illustrative examples for policy clarity, and the inclusion of an option to reject amendments outright, ensuring balanced and comprehensive decision-making.

Additionally, the commenters criticized the by-laws amendment process adopted by the membership at Fall Conference and the timeline and medium of the membership notice for comments.

Neither commenter referenced other structural or committee changes in the amendment.

Full comments can be reviewed here: Responses to the ACTAA Member Comment Form for Nov. 3, 2024, Committee Restructure Changes to By-laws.

Board Decision.

After reviewing the comments submitted, the Board discussed the items, including those related to the appearance of power consolidation, the roles of the proposed ex-officio members (president, ASC director, and Student Congress director), qualifications to serve on TAC and the pragmatic role of TAC over the last several years. After much discussion, the Board approved 11-1 to ratify the amendment.

The amendment has been engrossed and published in the ACTAA Organizational Handbook, effective Jan. 5.