Four educators named Arkansas Teacher of the Year state semi-finalists

LITTLE ROCK — Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva congratulate the four Arkansas educators selected as 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year State Semi-Finalists. The finalists were chosen from among 14 regional finalists, who also were honored today at a special event held at the Governor’s Mansion.
“Each of our educators changes the trajectory of their students’ lives. That’s why we made recruiting and retaining great teachers our top priority when we wrote Arkansas LEARNS,” Governor Sanders said. “But I also believe that one of the greatest things we can do is say thank you – to all our teachers, and especially to the ones here today.”

“We are so pleased to recognize these four educators for their dedication to education,” Oliva said. “From teaching theatre and English to math and first grade, these are among the best of the best in their field. We look forward to learning more about them and ultimately naming one of them the 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.”
Each semi-finalist listed below received a $1,000 prize provided by the Walton Family Foundation when recognized today as a regional finalist, as well as an additional $1,000 prize for being selected as a state semi-finalist.