Arkansas 2012 Teacher of the Year Finalists Named

Four finalists have been named for the Arkansas 2012 Teacher of the Year award.

"These extraordinary state finalists are a testament to teachers across our state who are changing lives every day through their dedication, talent and service to our students," says Commissioner of Education Dr. Tom Kimbrell. "We want to congratulate these individuals, and we look forward to recognizing their success and celebrating their work."
 
The finalists are:

• Marquita Carty, a mathematics teacher at Northside High School in the Fort Smith School District
• Alicia Francis, an English teacher at Conway Junior High School in the Conway School District
• Linda Odle, a fifth-grade teacher at J.B. Hunt Elementary School in the Springdale School District
• Alexia Weimer, a kindergarten teacher at Avondale Elementary School in the Marion School District

Teachers are selected based on their teaching skills, as well as their dedication to students, parents and colleagues; demonstrated school and community leadership; ability to inspire students of all backgrounds and their commitment to their profession.
 
Other regional finalists named today are:
Alice Cooper of Jasper
Asha Foster of West Memphis
Angela Goodding of Monticello
Ashlee Hayes of Stuttgart
Kara Lenfestey of Batesville
Barbara McNeal of Walnut Ridge
Peggy Mills of Texarkana
Debra Nipper of Magnolia
Marybeth Norcross of North Little Rock
Lisa Pemberton of Benton
Cheryl Simmons of Searcy
Katrina Williamson of Ashdown
 
"We want to thank and commend these exemplary educators for their accomplishments and for their dedication to our students," Program Coordinator Gloria Stephens said. "We applaud them and look forward to paying tribute to them in November."