The department is currently accepting Arkansas Teacher of the Year applications! Learn more at trst.in/ZoW6Ft.

Congratulations to Leslie Mitchell, an administrative assistant at White Hall High School, who recently graduated with a bachelor's degree in education! Secretary Jacob Oliva joined district administration and staff at a surprise ceremony held at the school for Ms. Mitchell.

Thank you to outgoing State Board Members Dr. Sarah Moore and Kathy Rollins for their service on the board and to 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Beau McCastlain as he finishes his year of service!

Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and ADE are pleased to announce that more than 4,200 outstanding educators will receive up to $10,000 in merit pay through the LEARNS Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program. Learn more at trst.in/YSSiCf.

Check out our Arkansas Education Legislation Review guide for the 95th General Assembly! It offers a summary of K-12 legislation and so much more! It's posted at trst.in/X8KLvX.

ADE is pleased to launch a new, user-friendly childcare website that enables families to find licensed childcare providers in their areas. Learn more at trst.in/JXM1Jp.

Student results from the second administration of the Arkansas Teaching, Learning, and Assessment System (ATLAS) were released today, with results showing increases across nearly all grade levels and subjects! Learn more at trst.in/MUL98F.

The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to announce the names of the educators named 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Top 15 Finalists. These educators will be recognized July 28 at an event at the Governor's Mansion. Learn more at trst.in/GFuuzR.

We were excited to kick off three days of professional development at the ADE Summit in Hot Springs! More than 1,500 educators registered to attend the event. Additional photos of Day 1 are available at trst.in/xWr9QI.

Congratulations to the five Arkansas Teacher of the Year State Semi-Finalists! Pictured l to r: Secretary Jacob Oliva, Alana Ashworth, Stephanie Williams, Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Gretchen Freyaldenhoven, Elaina Weaver, and Chenel Dale. trst.in/O7Oz8f.

At least week's State Board of Education meeting, the board recognized three senior citizens who earned high school diplomas at the Excel Center and Master Principal program completers. Congratulations to everyone!

ADE Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva has a special back-to-school message for students, families, and schools. Watch below!

This week we are featuring the five educators selected as 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year State Semi-Finalists. Alana Ashworth, a fifth-grade science teacher for the Prairie Grove School District, is our first finalist. Congratulations, Ms. Ashworth!

We are excited to welcome Secretary Linda McMahon to Arkansas!

Today we feature Chenel Dale, our second Arkansas Teacher of the Year State Semi-Finalist. Ms. Dale is a teacher at Asbell Elementary School in the Fayetteville School District. Congratulations, Ms. Dale!

Gretchen Freyaldenhoven, a teacher at Greenbrier Wooster Elementary School, is the third Arkansas Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist we are featuring this week. Congratulations, Ms. Freyaldenhoven!

It was great for Tom Cotton and me to show Secretary Linda McMahon what we’re achieving in Arkansas’ schools. And it was even better to show her how we call the Hogs!

Elaina Weaver, a math teacher at Bethel Middle School in the Bryant School District, is our fourth Arkansas Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. Congratulations, Ms. Weaver!

We are pleased to welcome Dr. Brandie Benton to the department! Dr. Benton will serve as the new assistant commissioner for the Educator Effectiveness and Licensure division. Learn more at trst.in/owPWhl.

Stephanie Williams, a music teacher in the Benton School District, is our fifth and final Arkansas Teacher of the Year semi-finalist. Congratulations, Ms. Williams!