The two English and two math teachers who were named finalists Tuesday for the 2015 Arkansas Teacher of the Year award have worked in the classroom between 13 and 36 years in districts that stretch from the eastern and western borders of the state.
The four finalists, selected from among 15 regional finalists, were announced at an event attended by Gov. Mike Beebe and other education dignitaries in the Old Supreme Court Room at the state Capitol. They are:
• Donna Dillahunty, fifth-grade English/language arts teacher at Marion Intermediate School.
• Lindsay Griffin, sixth-grade literacy teacher at Greenbrier Middle School.
• Jayna Moffit, seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher at Lincoln Junior High in the Bentonville School District.
• Ouida Newton, seventh- and eighth-grade math teacher at Poyen High School.
"I just always wanted to be a teacher," said Griffin, who has worked for 13 years in the district from which she graduated. "My mom is a teacher. I have a big family history of teachers. I loved going to school."
Griffin's principal, Kelli Martin, said there is "never a down moment" in Griffin's classroom.
"Every minute in her classroom is about the kids, from the moment they walk in until the time they leave," she said.
Not only has Griffin integrated the use of electronic white boards, computer tablets, student blogs and other technology into student lessons, but she's also been quick to lead technology training for student teachers, teachers, administrators and parents, Martin said.
Moffit, an Iowa native who studied math and physics at that state's Wartburg College, began her Arkansas teaching career 14 years ago as a Teach for America instructor in the Marvell School District in Phillips County. She's now in her 12th year of work in Bentonville, where she said she "really, really loves" teaching math based on new math standards that are common in more than 40 states.
"It comes more natural to me than any other type or way of teaching," said Moffit, adding that the new math standards cause students to go deeper into their understanding of the concepts they are taught. "It's all about the idea of how kids think."
Dillahunty, the wife of a Baptist minister, has been a teacher for about 25 years in Kansas and Missouri and in multiple eastern Arkansas school districts, including Hughes, Holly Grove, Marvell and Clarendon. She is now in her sixth year at Marion, where she teaches literacy to gifted-and-talented fifth-graders.
Dillahunty said she was stunned to be named a finalist. She sees the honor as an opportunity to serve other teachers.
"It's my chance to invest back in other people for what has been invested in my life by all the teachers I've worked with who taught me as much as they could," Dillahunty said.
Newton has taught for 36 years, all but two of them in the 580-student Poyen School District near Sheridan. There were also one year in the Pulaski County Special School District and one year in the Searcy School District.
"I love the kids. They bring excitement to your life," Newton said about her motivation. "They keep everything fresh."
She has taught all levels of junior high and high school math. She is currently teaching seventh- and eighth-grade math, and she is also teaching college algebra as an adjunct professor at the College of the Ouachitas in Malvern. She will teach college trigonometry in the spring semester.
The Arkansas Teacher of the Year selection committee will visit the classrooms of the four finalists before making a decision on the state winner for 2015.
Typically, state officials announce the winner at the teacher's school in front of students, co-workers and guests.
The Walton Family Foundation of Bentonville is providing a grant to support the teacher recognition award program. As a result, each of the 15 regional finalists -- including the four state finalists -- will receive $1,000. The 2015 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will receive an additional $14,000.
The Arkansas honor program is part of the National Teacher of the Year program, which began in 1952.
Arkansas teachers are nominated and selected based on their teaching skills and practices, school and community leadership, and dedication to students, parents and colleagues, said Kimberly Friedman, a spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Education.
The state winner competes for National Teacher of the Year honors. Additionally, the Arkansas Teacher of the Year takes a one-year leave of absence from the school district to attend and/or teach various education programs, plus serve as a nonvoting member of the Arkansas Board of Education.
Jonathon Crossley, the 2014 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, introduced the 15 regional finalists and announced the four state finalists at Tuesday's ceremony.
The 11 other regional finalists, their subject areas and schools are:
• Amy Becker, fourth-grade language arts and social studies, Noble/Allbritton Elementary, Hamburg School District.
• Jason Bridges, 10th-through-12th-grade Advanced Placement calculus and Advanced Placement world history, Greenwood High School.
• Larry Cornelius Dunn, seventh-through-12th-grade vocal music, Magnolia Junior High and High schools.
• Kathy Glewen, fifth-grade literacy, Southwest Middle School, Searcy School District.
• Steven Helmick, fifth-grade teacher, Dr. Don. R. Roberts Elementary School, Little Rock School District.
• Tifanie King, kindergarten, Wonder Elementary School, West Memphis School District.
• William Morelan, seventh-through-12th-grade English and journalism, Oark High School, Jasper School District.
• Cheryl Smith, sixth-grade math, Meekins Middle School, Stuttgart School District.
• Mary Smith, ninth-through-12th-grade business education, Walnut Ridge High School, Lawrence County School District.
• Betty Thornton, 10th-through-12th-grade English and Spanish, Calico Rock High.
• Denise Ward, kindergarten-through-fourth-grade physical education, Kilpatrick Elementary School, Texarkana School District.
Metro on 09/17/2014