Teachers recognized
Seven teachers of the year — one from each school in the Siloam Springs district — were recognized during Thursday’s school board meeting.
Teachers of the year were Megan Denison, Siloam Springs High School; Lanna Hardy, Main Street Academy; Doug Hartman, Middle School; Keli Sumter, Intermediate School; Alishia Morris, Southside Elementary School; Amanda Ward, Allen Elementary School; and Umia Fullerton, Northside Elementary.
The teachers in each school building voted to choose their teacher of the year, according to Kelly Svebek, district director of assessment and accountability. They are selected for their exceptional dedication, knowledge and skill as a teacher, love for students, ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and abilities to learn, and the respect and admiration of their peers, she said.
“Each year in May, buildings select a teacher that exemplifies the finest qualities of the profession,” Svebek said. “The intent is never to single out one that is better than all of the others, but simply one that has all of those great qualities that all of our teachers have.”
The school board room was packed with friends and family members of the teachers during the award presentation. Each building principal introduced their school’s Adopters representative, then the Adopters representative introduced the teacher of the year, sharing a biography of the teacher and comments from their peers. Teachers of the year were also presented with plaques.