26 Aug 2017 Regional finalists named for Arkansas Teacher of the Year
Fourteen outstanding teachers have been named 2018 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists.
Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key will recognize the regional finalists at 10 a.m. Aug. 30, in the Old Supreme Court room at the Capitol. During the ceremony, the four state semi-finalists will be announced.
“I am excited for the opportunity to recognize these dynamic Arkansas teachers as regional finalists through our Arkansas Teacher of the Year program,” Key said. “As we work to transform Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused education, we must recognize and celebrate teachers who have demonstrated educational excellence. I am extremely proud of these regional finalists and for the example they have set for their students, colleagues and future educators.”
2018 ATOY Regional Finalists
Kim Armstrong
Grades K-2 Science
Wynne Primary School
Wynne School District
Crowley’s Ridge Educational Service Cooperative
Brittany Berry
Grades 6-7 EAST
Helen Tyson Middle School
Springdale School District
Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Cameron Blackwood
Grades 10-12 Science
Clarendon High School
Clarendon School District
Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative
Brandy Browning
Grade 9 Science
Magnolia Junior High School
Magnolia School District
South Central Service Cooperative
Kirby Childress
Grade 6 Math
Pinkston Middle School
Mountain Home School District
Northcentral Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Anne Formby
Grades 10-12 Math
Arkansas High School
Texarkana Arkansas School District
Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative
Shannon Holeyfield
Grade 9 English and Grades 9-12 Yearbook
Searcy High School
Searcy School District
Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative
Judy Holland
Grade 9 English and Grades 9-12 Alternative Learning Environment
Walnut Ridge High School
Lawrence County School District
Northeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Randi House
Kindergarten
Theodore Jones Elementary School
Conway School District
Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative
Amanda Jones
Grades 10-12 Science
Poyen High School
Poyen School District
Dawson Education Cooperative
Beth Maris
Grades 10-12 Science
Central High School
Little Rock School District
Pulaski County
Mollie Sanford
Grades 10-12 Family and Consumer Science
Dumas New Tech High School
Dumas School District
Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Tasha Shoate
Grade 3
Cavanaugh Elementary School
Fort Smith School District
Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative
Morgan Wilson
Grades 10-12 Math
Sheridan High School
Sheridan School District
Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative
The Arkansas Teacher of the Year program is part of the National Teacher of the Year program and recognizes exceptional teachers who demonstrate strong teaching and leadership skills. This year’s regional finalists will receive a $1,000 award, with the Arkansas Teacher of the Year receiving an additional $14,000. The awards are made possible by a grant provided by the Walton Family Foundation, a long-time supporter of the program.
After the four state semi-finalists are announced at the ceremony Aug. 30, the selection committee will conduct site visits. During the visits, the committee will observe the teacher in the classroom and interview the teacher and school administrators. A surprise notification announcing the 2018 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will be held later this fall.
In addition to the recognition ceremony, a reception for the regional finalists will be held in Room 207 at the Capitol immediately following the ceremony. Several State Board of Education members plan to attend the events, but no official business will be conducted.
To learn more about the ATOY program, go to arkansased.org/divisions/communications/teacher-of-the-year.
