Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program
Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship Program
Celebrating outstanding Arkansas educators while elevating public awareness of excellence in teaching and leadership across our state.
Recognizing Excellence in Arkansas Teaching
The Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship program honors a select cohort of our state's highest-performing educators. Now in its second year, the nine-month paid fellowship recognizes teachers who receive merit pay and elevates public awareness of what great teaching and leadership look like.
Fellows receive a $1,500 stipend and participate in a series of virtual convenings to advance their professional practice, foster connections among peer educators across the state, and increase public understanding of the state's Merit Teacher Incentive Fund, a LEARNS initiative created to reward outstanding Arkansas teachers. Participants also receive training and support in how to share their stories and experiences with the public.
Supporting Growth, Connection, and Impact
The fellowship brings educators together to strengthen professional practice and help share the story of excellent teaching in Arkansas.
Advance Professional Practice
Fellows participate in virtual convenings designed to advance and strengthen their professional practice.
Build Statewide Connections
Fellows foster connections with peer educators serving schools and communities throughout Arkansas.
Elevate Teacher Voices
Participants receive training and support in sharing their stories and experiences with the public.
Increase Public Awareness
The fellowship helps increase understanding of the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund and recognizes outstanding Arkansas teachers.
2026–27 Fellowship Cohort
We are pleased to announce the 2026–27 cohort of 30 fellows.
30 Fellows7th- through 9th-grade reading intervention teacher at eStem Junior High in Little Rock.
3rd-grade teacher at Crawford Elementary in Russellville.
3rd-grade math and science teacher at Sulphur Rock Elementary in Batesville.
5th- and 6th-grade math teacher at Brookland Middle School in Brookland.
5th-grade English language arts teacher at Ruth Doyle Middle School in Conway.
10th-grade geometry teacher at Southside Charter High School in Batesville.
K-4 library media specialist at Southside Elementary in Cabot.
7th- through 12th-grade math teacher at Haas Hall Academy in Springdale.
5th-grade English language arts teacher at Reagan Elementary in Rogers.
Secondary geometry, algebra 2, and Pre-Calc teacher at Palestine Wheatley High School in Palestine.
4th-grade teacher at Salem Elementary School in Bryant.
5th-grade teacher at Clarksville Intermediate School in Clarksville.
8th-grade science and alternative education teacher at Paulette Smith Middle School in Fouke.
5th-grade math teacher at Crestwood Elementary in North Little Rock.
8th- and 9th-grade physical science and biology teacher at Benton Junior High in Benton.
4th-grade math teacher at Magness Creek Elementary in Cabot.
7th- through 9th-grade math and science teacher at Pine Bluff Jr. High in Pine Bluff.
8th-grade math and Algebra 1 teacher at Mena Middle School in Mena.
4th-grade English language arts teacher at Southwest Middle School in Searcy.
7th-grade math teacher at Woodland Junior High in Fayetteville.
9th- through 12th-grade biology, AP Biology, chemistry, and physical science teacher at Midland High School in Pleasant Plains.
7th- and 8th-grade English language arts teacher at Lisa Academy North Middle-High School in North Little Rock.
10th-grade geometry teacher at Drew Central High School in Monticello.
4th-grade math teacher at East Pointe Elementary in Greenwood.
6th-grade English language arts, reading, and science teacher at Maynard Elementary School in Maynard.
8th-grade science teacher at Exalt Academy of Southwest in Little Rock.
9th- through 12th-grade geometry and AP Statistics teacher at Lakeside High School in Hot Springs.
10th- through 12th-grade biology teacher at The Academies at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro.
5th-grade English language arts, math, science, and social studies teacher at Salem Elementary School in Salem.
5th-grade teacher at Rena Elementary in Van Buren.
2025–26 Fellows Cohort
View the educators who participated in the 2025–26 fellowship cohort.
View the 2025–26 Fellows
Math teacher at Vilonia Junior High School in Vilonia.
5th-grade teacher at Sherwood Elementary in Sherwood.
Geometry teacher at Rogers High School in Rogers.
3rd-grade teacher at Genoa Central Elementary in Genoa.
5th-grade math teacher at M.D. Williams Int. School in Pocahontas.
3rd-grade teacher at Drew Central Elementary in Monticello.
5th-grade English language arts teacher at Valley View Middle School in Jonesboro.
4th-grade teacher at Willowbrook Elementary School in Bentonville.
English language arts teacher at Danville High School in Danville.
4th-grade teacher at Parkview Elementary School in Van Buren.
5th-grade teacher at Central Elementary in Magnolia.
3rd-grade teacher at Poyen Elementary School in Poyen.
Mentor teacher at Fairview Elementary School in Fort Smith.
3rd-grade teacher at Ward Central Elementary in Cabot.
Math teacher at Spring Hill High School in Hope.
5th-grade English language arts teacher at Cave City Elementary in Cave City.
4th-grade science teacher at Eastside Elementary School in Greenbrier.
8th-grade math and Algebra 1 teacher at Woodland Junior High in Fayetteville.
Biology and Environmental Science teacher at eStem High School in Little Rock.
3rd-grade teacher at Cherokee Elementary School in Highland.
5th-grade teacher at Thomas C. Brunson Elementary in Warren.
3rd-grade math and science teacher at Nashville Primary School in Nashville.
5th-grade teacher at Lakewood Elementary School in North Little Rock.
ADE Contact Information
Jessica Allen
Education Professional II
Arkansas Department of Education
Educator Effectiveness & Licensure
Email: jessica.allen@ade.arkansas.gov
Phone: 501-371-8084
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