Fifteen outstanding teachers from around the state have been selected as 2015 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists. Gov. Mike Beebe will recognize them at a ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. Sept. 16 in the Old Supreme Court Room at the Capitol. The top four finalists will be announced at the event.
“Each year we are pleased to recognize some of the best teachers around the state,” said Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Tony Wood. “Their commitment to their students and community is exemplary, and we applaud them for their dedication to education.”
The 15 regional finalists are as follows:
Amy Becker, 4th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies, Noble/Allbritton Elementary, Hamburg School District, Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Jason Bridges, 10th-12thGrade AP Calculus and AP World History, Greenwood High School Greenwood School District, Western Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Donna C. Dillahunty, 5th Grade English Language Arts, Marion Intermediate School, Marion School District, Crowley’s Ridge Education Service Cooperative
Larry Cornelius Dunn, 7th-12thGrade Vocal Music, Magnolia Junior High School and Magnolia High School, Magnolia School District, South Central Education Service Cooperative
Kathy Glewen, 5th Grade Literacy, Southwest Middle School, Searcy School District, Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative
Lindsay S. Griffin, 6th Grade Literacy, Greenbrier Middle School, Greenbrier School District, Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative
Steven Helmick, 5th Grade, Don. R. Roberts Elementary School, Little Rock School District, Pulaski County
Tifanie King, Kindergarten, Wonder Elementary School, West Memphis School District,Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative
Jayna Moffit, 7th-8th Grade Math, Lincoln Junior High School, Bentonville School District, Northwest Education Service Cooperative
William K. Morelan, 7th-12th Grade English/Journalism, Oark High School, Jasper School District, Ozarks Unlimited Resource Education Service Cooperative
Ouida R. Newton, 7th-12th Grade Math, Poyen High School, Poyen School District, Dawson Education Service Cooperative
Cheryl L. Smith, 6th Grade Math, Meekins Middle School, Stuttgart School District, Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative
Mary Smith, 9th-12th Grade Business Education, Walnut Ridge High School, Lawrence County School District, Northeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Betty Thornton, 10th-12th Grade English/Spanish, Calico Rock High School, Calico Rock School District, Northcentral Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Denise Ward, Kindergarten-4th Grade Physical Education, Kilpatrick Elementary School, Texarkana Arkansas School District, Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative
The Arkansas program is part of the National Teacher of the Year program, which began in 1952. Teachers are nominated and selected each year based on their teaching skills and practices, school and community leadership, and dedication to students, parents and colleagues.
The Walton Family Foundation, a long-time supporter of the program, is providing a grant for the program. As a result, each regional finalist will receive a $1,000 award. The 2015 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will receive an additional $14,000.
The ATOY selection committee will conduct site visits for the four finalists. A surprise notification announcing the 2015 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will follow.
A reception for the 15 regional finalists will be held in Room 207 at the Capitol immediately after the event Sept. 16. The Arkansas Exemplary Educators Network, comprised of former ATOYs and Milken Educators, will meet at 12 p.m. in Conference Room 201-A at the Arkansas Department of Education. State Board of Education members may be in attendance at all events, but no official State Board of Education business will be conducted.