JASPER — Sandra Allen, a lead teacher at Oark Elementary School, was recognized as an Arkansas Rural Education Association Teacher of the Year for 2020-2021, during last Monday night's regular monthly meeting of the Jasper School District Board of Education.
The award is one of two awards presented annually by the AREA. A teacher from north of Interstate 40 and a teacher from south of Interstate 40 are selected for the honor.
AREA Director Dale Query made the formal presentation. He said of all of the nomination applications submitted for consideration, Allen's application rose to the top. "She is a professional. She is a teacher," he said.
Oark Principal Kenena Pelfrey noted that Allen is beloved by her students. She is also respected by her fellow teachers. Many of whom made the long trip to the Jasper campus from the isolated school located almost 50 miles away in Johnson County.
Allen said the honor of being nominated for the award was made possible only because of the support she receives from the schools' students, administrators, teachers, staff, parents and the entire community.
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas have sponsored the Arkansas Rural Education Association’s Teacher of the Year Awards since 2004. Nominations are vetted by the state’s 15 educational cooperatives, which each submit a finalist to the Arkansas Rural Education Association for consideration. A panel selects a northern Arkansas winner and southern Arkansas winner.
Courtney Farmer, of Jasper Elementary School, won the honor in 2020.
Allen, and the South Arkansas Teacher of the Year, Tracy Lewis, from Ozark High School, will receive a crystal apple gift and a check for $1,000 from the Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas.
