2 NWA teachers named regional finalists for Teacher of the Year
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Two teachers from Northwest Arkansas have advanced to become Regional Finalists for the 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year award.
The Arkansas Department of Education (ADE) released the list of 14 regional finalists on July 26.
The Arkansas Teacher of the Year program, part of the CCSSO National Teacher of the Year program, honors Arkansas educators for their exceptional teaching and leadership, according to the CCSSO website.
Beau McCastlain, a Career and Technical Education teacher at De Queen High School, was named the 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year during a surprise visit from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Education Secretary Jacob Oliva.
On Aug. 5, the ADE will announce four semi-finalists, with one named 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year this fall.
Fayetteville High School teacher receives $1,000 STEM grant
Matthew Holden, Fayetteville High School
In 2023, Holden received a $1,000 grant from the Society for Science to acquire equipment and provide lessons focused on environmental research.
Subject(s): Science and Biology (Grade Level, Honors, AP) & Anatomy/Physiology, Grades 9-12
District: Fayetteville School District
Program: Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative
Kimberly Dickens, Alma High School
Dickens is the first Alma High School teacher to be named District Teacher of the Year, according to the Alma School District website.
Subjects: English (11th Grade), AP Language and Composition, & AP Literature and Composition, Grades 11-12
District: Alma School District
Program: Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative
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