14 Named Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists

LITTLE ROCK -The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce the names of the 14 educators named 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists. These educators will be recognized August 5 at an event at the Governor's Mansion.

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

The regional finalists listed below will each receive a certificate and a $1,000 prize provided by the Walton Family Foundation.

Melani Blansett
Theatre, Grades 10-12
Cabot High School
Cabot School District
Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative

Christopher Coker
AP Chemistry, Accelerated Chemistry, AP Physics, Grades 10-12
Camden Fairview High School
Camden Fairview School District
South Central Service Cooperative

Amanda Daly
Vocal Music, Grades 10-12
Academies of West Memphis
West Memphis School District
Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative

Kimberly Dickens
English (11th Grade), AP Language and Composition, & AP Literature and Composition, Grades 11-12
Alma High School
Alma School District
Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative

Candace Gilbreath
Third Grade
Cherokee Elementary School
Highland School District
Northcentral Arkansas Education Service Cooperative

Tawnya Herring
Library Media, Grades 5-8
Meekins Middle School / Stuttgart Junior High School
Stuttgart School District
Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative

Melanie Hill
Math, Grade 7
DeWitt Middle School
DeWitt School District
Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative

Matthew Holden
Science and Biology (Grade Level, Honors, AP) & Anatomy/Physiology, Grades 9-12
Fayetteville High School
Fayetteville School District
Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative

Tammy Lites
Math, Grades 6-7
De Queen Middle School
De Queen School District
De Queen-Mena Education Service Cooperative

Ricky Manes
AP U.S. History, AP Research, Holocaust & Human Behavior, Grades 11-12
Bryant High School
Bryant School District
Dawson Education Service Cooperative

Marcia Martin
Literacy, Grade 6
Walnut Ridge Middle School
Lawrence County School District
Northeast Arkansas Education Cooperative

Karen McDowell
Second Grade
Fairview Elementary School
Texarkana Arkansas School District
Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative

Abby Roberts
First Grade
Jim Stone Elementary School
Conway School District
Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative

Jeanie Wilcoxon
Math, Grade 4
Chenal Elementary School
Pulaski County Special School District
Pulaski County

The Arkansas Teacher of the Year program participates in the National Teacher of the Year program and recognizes Arkansas educators for their outstanding teaching and leadership skills. During the recognition event on August 5, the department will announce the four state semi-finalists from among the regional finalists. One will be named the 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year this fall.

To learn more about the program, visit dese.link/ATOY.

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