The classroom teacher is the backbone of the American education system. No one person has a greater impact on the education of a child than does the teacher who creates the primary learning and instructional environment. The National Teacher of the Year (NTOY) program, which is a project of the Council of Chief State School Officers in partnership with the Voya Foundation and People to People Ambassador Programs, began in 1952. The NTOY program continues as the oldest, most prestigious national honors program that focuses public attention on excellence in teaching.
As part of the NTOY program, the Arkansas Teacher of Year program identifies, recognizes and utilizes representatives of excellent teaching in the elementary and secondary classrooms in Arkansas public schools.
Each public school district in Arkansas may select one teacher as its District Teacher of the Year and nominate that teacher for the ATOY.
A selection panel assembled by the ADE will review the applications and select 16 regional finalists, one representing each education service cooperative area and one representing Pulaski County. The panel will select four state semi-finalists from among the regional finalists.
For more information about the nomination process, see Commissioner's Memo COM-16-072.
Led by the Arkansas Teacher of the Year, this series profiles examples of teacher leadership in Arkansas public schools.
Fifteen outstanding teachers from around the state have been selected as 2016 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists. Gov. Asa Hutchinson recognized them at a ceremony Sept. 17 at the Capitol. The top four finalists were announced at the event.
To see pictures of the event, go to http://www.arkansased.gov/divisions/communications/photo-gallery/album/77. To view a video of the event, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOTTNNHolw&feature=youtu.be.
Be sure to take a look at the 2016 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Recognition Publication that spotlights each of the ATOY finalists!
Learn more about the standards that define the knowledge and skills Arkansas students should have in order to be ready for college and careers.
Learn MoreFind critical information about renewing Arkansas educator licenses, adding areas of licensure, licensing by reciprocity from other states, background checks and more.
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