“I joined the BES Fellowship because it gives me the opportunity to create a school that reflects the strengths and aspirations of my community while addressing the urgent needs of our students. BES provides the structure, mentorship, and national network I need to bring this vision to life and to lead with both courage and clarity as I design a school that will transform opportunities for students in my community.”
Growing up as a third-generation educator in a community where teachers and leaders lived alongside the families they served deeply shaped Dr. Terri Guy as a person and as a leader. She witnessed firsthand how schools are the heartbeat of a community where educators are not only teachers but also neighbors, mentors, and advocates. Seeing that kind of presence and commitment taught her that leadership is rooted in service, relationships, and accountability, further encouraging her to lead with purpose and cultivate authentic connections within the community as the foundation for lasting impact.
With 22 years of experience, Dr. Guy began her career as a classroom teacher in the Little Rock School District. From there, she stepped into leadership as Principal at Exalt Academy of Southwest Little Rock. During her leadership tenure, the school increased retention, improved academic growth, and reduced disciplinary incidents. Next, as Founding Principal and Academy Director at ScholarMade Achievement Place, she supported the development of its academic program and established systems for instruction, data analysis, and school culture.
Dr. Guy later expanded her impact at the state level as an advisor for the Arkansas Professional Educator Pathway (ArPEP), where she supported alternative licensure candidates, guided program implementation, and worked closely with districts to ensure high-quality teacher preparation and development. She then served as a reading specialist for Jacksonville North Pulaski School District, leading school-wide RTI initiatives, implementing targeted interventions, and coaching teachers on differentiated instruction and data-driven decision-making to better support struggling readers, including students identified for dyslexia interventions.
Her most recent role was serving as a site coordinator and instructor at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, bridging partnerships between the university and local districts. She coached teacher residents and collaborated with faculty, district leaders, and mentor teachers while building their instructional capacity and residency experiences that prepared them to be effective educators.
Dr. Guy holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Arkansas State University, a Master’s degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
