Arkansas Department of Education announces finalists for the Teacher of the Year award

The Arkansas Department of Education has announced 14 teachers as finalists for the Teacher of the Year award.

The following are the finalists and the schools they represent:

• Melani Blansett – Theatre, Grades 10-12 – Cabot High School – Cabot School District
• Christopher Coker – AP Chemistry, Accelerated Chemistry, AP Physics, Grades 10-12 – Camden Fairview High School – Camden Fairview School District
• Amanda Daly – Vocal Music, Grades 10-12 – Academies of West Memphis – West Memphis School District
• Kimberly Dickens – English (11th Grade), AP Language and Composition, & AP Literature and Composition, Grades 11-12 – Alma High School – Alma School District
• Candace Gilbreath – Third Grade – Cherokee Elementary School – Highland School District
• Tawnya Herring – Library Media, Grades 5-8 – Meekins Middle School / Stuttgart Junior High School – Stuttgart School District
• Melanie Hill – Math, Grade 7 – DeWitt Middle School – DeWitt School District
• Matthew Holden – Science and Biology (Grade Level, Honors, AP) & Anatomy/Physiology, Grades 9-12 – Fayetteville High School – Fayetteville School District
• Tammy Lites – Math, Grades 6-7 – De Queen Middle School – De Queen School District
• Ricky Manes – AP U.S. History, AP Research, Holocaust & Human Behavior, Grades 11-12 – Bryant High School – Bryant School District
• Marcia Martin – Literacy, Grade 6 – Walnut Ridge Middle School – Lawrence County School District
• Karen McDowell – Second Grade – Fairview Elementary School – Texarkana Arkansas School District
• Abby Roberts – First Grade – Jim Stone Elementary School – Conway School District
• Jeanie Wilcoxon – Math, Grade 4 – Chenal Elementary School -Pulaski County Special School District

Each of these educators represents some of the best in teaching for Arkansas,” said ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva. “I congratulate each on achieving this honor and look forward to continued excellence from them both inside and outside the classroom.”

The finalists will each receive a certificate and $1,000 provided by the Walton Family Foundation, as well as be honored at the Governor’s Mansion on Aug. 5.