Kiffany Pride

Dr. Kiffany Pride, Assistant Commissioner of Learning Services at Arkansas’ Division of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), brings nearly three decades of experience to her role. Passionate about empowering educators and advancing student success, Dr. Pride leads efforts to equip schools with the resources and guidance needed to prepare students for college, careers, and life.

Since joining DESE in 2019 as a Special Advisor, she has played a pivotal role in driving key educational initiatives. She has also served as Director of Curriculum and Assessment and RISE Assessor for the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (RISE). More recently, she led the Arkansas Initiative for Instructional Materials (AIIM), ensuring teachers have access to high-quality materials and professional learning to engage students effectively.

Throughout her career, Dr. Pride has held various roles, including Classroom Teacher, RTI Literacy Coordinator, Program Administrator for Elementary Literacy, Lead Teacher, and Literacy Instructional Facilitator. Her extensive experience highlights her unwavering dedication to improving educational outcomes for all students.