Jacob Reut never imagined he'd become a teacher. In fact, he didn't particularly enjoy school growing up. Now, after earning his Bachelor of Arts in Global Education through Reach University, he teaches fifth-grade science at Pea Ridge Middle School in Northwest Arkansas.
He began his career in Texas, working his way from bank teller to commercial lender. After moving to Northwest Arkansas with his wife, Jacob eventually took her advice and applied for a substitute teaching position in their local school district, where he spent several years supporting high school students in alternative education.
When Jacob learned about a potential degree pathway for school employees, he kept asking questions until a district administrator pointed him to Reach. Skeptical of an unfamiliar university, he wanted to understand exactly how the program worked before committing.
Through his research, he learned that the Apprenticeship Degree is an affordable option designed for working adults, offering flexible evening seminars twice a week and coursework he could complete around a full-time work schedule. The application requirements were straightforward, too. He only needed to provide proof of age, copies of his high school diploma, college transcripts, and two 250-word essays.
After speaking with a Reach representative, he decided to try one semester. He kept showing up every semester after that.
Reach’s after-work hour seminars and credit for learning at work let him pursue his degree while continuing to earn a paycheck.
Balancing school, work, family, and volunteer commitments wasn't easy, but it was doable through a more integrated approach. Instead of looking at all four years of coursework ahead, Jacob showed up daily and concentrated on what he could realistically accomplish to move one step closer to his goal.
Through Reach, Jacob strengthened his understanding of explicit instruction, classroom engagement, and student needs. Throughout his journey, he never felt alone. He found support from both faculty and fellow candidates, often collaborating with a small group to discuss challenges and share strategies. During his clinical teaching experience, he recorded lessons, watched them back like football teams watch game film, reviewed his performance with faculty mentors, and learned to spot opportunities for improvement.
Today, Jacob’s commitment to consistency shapes the classroom environment he works to create. He recently shared how he connects with an English learner through the student's native language and familiar experiences, helping them feel welcome in his class. He also learned that his line at parent-teacher conferences was among the longest because students wanted their parents to meet him.
For Jacob, those moments reinforce something he's learned over years working with kids: students benefit from knowing they'll find a welcoming, consistent educator and environment each day.
During his final clinical teaching placement, a middle school principal approached him about a fifth-grade science position. “I wouldn't have thought four years ago that this would've been a legitimate possibility,” he reflected. After years working with older students in alternative education, the opportunity presented an unexpected next chapter.
To earn his Arkansas Standard Educator License, Jacob completed the required coursework through Reach University, met Arkansas's elementary-education testing requirements, and passed the Spanish Praxis exam. His license now authorizes him to teach all subjects in grades K–6 and Spanish in grades K–12.
His advice to other working adults reflects the same steady approach that brought him here: “Focus on what you can accomplish today, and keep moving forward.”