Alexia Weimer, a kindergarten teacher at Avondale Elementary School in the Marion School District, has been named the state’s 2013 Teacher of the Year.
Weimer, who has taught for six years, all at Avondale Elementary, will be allowed to take a year of paid administrative leave to serve as an adviser to the state Board of Education and to work on her own professional development, the state Department of Education said in a statement. She’ll also receive $15,000 from the Walton Family Foundation as part of her prize, the department said.
She was nominated for the award by her colleagues, who noted her reputation for using technology to engage students.
“While I have an entire staff of excellent teachers, Alexia Weimer is the teacher I would want for my child,” said Principal Glenda Bryan. “She goes beyond what most teachers do to ensure authentic student engagement in learning.”
The Arkansas Teacher of the Year competition is part of the National Teacher of the Year Program, which began in 1952.