Highlights : EAST Seminar 2025

EAST Seminar 2025

El Dorado Conference Center July 23-25, 2025

Thank You!

Highlights

150 EAST facilitators joined together in El Dorado, AR, to "Find their Fire" for the 2025-26 school year! EAST Seminar 2025 provided three days of educational sessions, fun networking activities, and connections with valuable community partners.

Matt Dozier EAST Legacy Award

In 2022, the EAST Board of Directors created the Matt Dozier EAST Legacy Award to honor EAST President and CEO Matt Dozier’s 20 years of service to the organization and to recognize an outstanding facilitator each year at EAST Seminar.

Jill Sanders is this year’s recipient of the Matt Dozier EAST Legacy Award! Now in her 11th year as the EAST Facilitator at Buffalo Island Central High School, Jill is known for mentoring fellow facilitators, pushing herself to grow her tech skills to better support her students, and creating a classroom culture where students confidently take the lead.

Facilitator Service Recognition

Being an EAST facilitator is an investment of time and energy for educators. We recognized these educators for their milestone years of service.

20 Years of Service

Dianne Phillips (not pictured)

15 Years of Service

Jodi Keith, Kristy Mitchell

10 Years of Service

Dusty Beck, Jerry Harvey, Ivan Huffmaster, Patrick Landford

not pictured: Dan Boroughs, Aspen Ham, Sandy White

5 Years of Service

Erica Anglin, Paul Blissit, James Bush, Cody Dillon, Katie Dillon, Jonathan Ellis, Jessica Glasgow, Ashley Glenn, Brittany Harris, Joey Head, Tilenna Hill, Jordan Hunter, Matt Little, Caitlin Martin, Ashlea McAlister, Deb McMillan, Payton Reep, Heather Slay, Lauren Taylor, Carla Watson, Tracy Whelan

Breakout Sessions

44 educational sessions were offered to facilitators, covering topics ranging from hands on technology to classroom management sessions.

These education sessions were led by industry leaders, veteran facilitators, and members of the EAST staff. Thank you to everyone who presented a session at EAST Seminar 2025!

Brian Culpepper, Brian Kutsch, Christine Gronwald, Derek Ratchford, Dr. Page Dobbs, Greg Herker, Jen Lawrence, Jessica Briley, JJ Gladden, Malcolm Williamson, Mara Hitner, Matt Monin, Mike Means, Neal Gladner, Ray Sharp, Robert Brisk, Sheryl Edwards, Angie Allison, Amanda Wicker, Ashlea McAlister, Brett Stevenson, Brian Davis, Carla Phares, Carman Owens, Chelsea Hudson, Erin Frangenberg, Jacy Lindsey, Jenine Ottaway, Jennifer Boogaart, Jerry Harvey, Jodi Keith, Jordan Hunter, Josh Worthy, Joshua Byard, Kelly Martin, Leeann Mobley, Lorenzo Balderas, Lori Campbell, Mariela Delgado, Matt Little, Michelle Neira, Payton Reep, Tina Taylor

Industry Tours

Facilitators hit the road for the 2025 Industry Tours, exploring how EAST skills come to life across El Dorado. From historical preservation at the Newton House to behind-the-scenes tech at the Murphy Arts District and a community-driven workshop at the Chamber of Commerce, attendees gained real-world insights and inspiration for impactful student projects.

Networking Events

The EAST Seminar networking events offered nightly opportunities to recharge, reconnect, and rekindle the spirit of Camp EAST. Each evening brought facilitators together in creative, casual settings all designed to inspire community and celebrate the journey.

Tuesday: Find Your Flame Welcome Reception

The Welcome Reception at Camp EAST kicked off the adventure with a relaxed evening of check-in, collaborative activities, and summer camp vibes. Attendees explored the Project Gallery bead trail, shared advice on the “Find Your Flame” wall, and enjoyed snacks while connecting with fellow facilitators.

Wednesday: Camp EAST Seminar Social

The Camp EAST Seminar Social brought facilitators together off-site for a lively evening of connection, karaoke, and trivia at Mad House 101. Attendees networked over snacks and drinks, sang for a cause to support the EAST Scholarship Fund, and kicked off the week with laughter and camaraderie.

Wednesday: Downtown Film Jam

Facilitators teamed up with EAST Staff to create a short film during a hands-on storytelling session at Mad House 101. Using smartphones and creative teamwork, participants brought the prompt—“A group of facilitators are lost in downtown El Dorado”—to life in a two-minute video, which premiered at Closing Session.

Thursday: Campfire Comedy

Facilitators wound down a full day with snacks, mingling, and a laugh-out-loud improv show by local troupe Gimme A Second. The relaxed evening at the El Dorado Conference Center offered a perfect blend of connection and comedy.

Door prize donors

Thank you to the generosity of these companies and organizations for contributing to EAST Seminar and sending our facilitators home happy.

Argenta Contemporary Theater, Arkansas 4-H STEM, Arlington Hotel, Artbyjessicajones.com, avad3, BJ Brewhouse - Shackleford Crossing, Chicken Salad Chick - Conway, Jonesboro, Fayetteville, Courtyard Little Rock West, Crescent Hotel and Spa, Destination Rogers - Walmart AMP, DoubleTree by Hilton Hot Springs, Eco Advancement, Experience Fayetteville, Grand Country Music Hall, Greg Moore Art, Grumpy Rabbit Restaurant, Haywood Hotel, In the Trees, Instrumentl, James Hayes, Tito’s, Kendra Scott, Little Rock Marathon, Little Rock Zoo, Mountain Harbor Resort, Northwest Arkansas Naturals, Rock Town River Outfitters, Sam's Club LR, Scott Family Amazeum, Shorty Smalls/Beebe, Sonic, Studio 14, Top Golf - Little Rock, Urban Air Park - Conway, Visit Hot Springs, Wicked Mix, Yellow Rocket Concepts, Zip's Car Wash, Arkansas Travelers, Murry's Dinner Theater Playhouse, Arkansas Single Parent Scholarship Fund (ASPSF), Menking Family Fund

Trail Map Challenge Winner

Facilitators used their Trail Maps to track participation throughout Seminar, earning stickers at key events for a chance to win a grand prize. After collecting all six, Misty Smith from Hamburg Middle School was drawn as the winner of a Bambu Labs X1C 3D Printer valued at $2,899, generously sponsored by MatterHackers.

EAST Seminar wouldn't be possible without the support of our sponsors.

Thank you!