ADE announces Leonard, other finalists ahead of ceremony

Lake Hamilton High School teacher Brian Leonard was among the 14 regional finalists officially announced Wednesday for the 2017 Arkansas Teacher of the Year program.

Leonard learned about his nomination before the 2016-17 school year began. He teaches junior- and senior-level Advanced Placement courses in calculus and statistics. Leonard will represent the Dawson Education Service Cooperative at the state level.

Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner Johnny Key will recognize the 14 regional finalists at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Old Supreme Court room at the Arkansas State Capitol. Four semifinalists will be announced during the ceremony.

“Effective, dynamic teachers are the foundation of a quality education,” Key said. “As we work to transform Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused education, we must recognize teachers who have demonstrated their commitment to educational excellence and celebrate their accomplishments. I am extremely proud of these finalists and for the example they set for all current and future educators.”

The other regional finalists are Jennifer Andrews, Walnut Ridge Elementary School; Susan Bucher, McRae Elementary School in Searcy; Heather Carr, College Hill Elementary School in Texarkana; Anita Cegers-Coleman, Ruth Doyle Middle School in Conway; Courtney Cochran, Van Buren High School; Julia Crane, Monitor Elementary School in Springdale; Adriane Duke, Annie Camp Junior High School in Jonesboro; Amy Griffin, Park Avenue Elementary School in Stuttgart; Emily Hemme, Cotter High School; Emma Mateo, Otter Creek Elementary School in Little Rock; Cherilyn Minnis, Academies of West Memphis; Denise Phillips, East Side Elementary School in Magnolia; and Charre Todd, Crossett Middle School.

The Arkansas Teacher of the Year program is part of the National Teacher of the Year program and recognizes teachers who demonstrate strong teaching and leadership skills. The regional finalists will receive a $1,000 award, with the Arkansas Teacher of the Year receiving an additional $14,000. The awards are made possible by a grant provided by the Walton Family Foundation.

A selection committee will conduct site visits with the four state semifinalists. The committee will observe the teachers in the classrooms and conduct interviews with the teachers and their school administrators.

A surprise notification announcing the 2017 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will be held later in the fall.