Five teachers named 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year semifinalists

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Five teachers were announced as the semifinalists at the 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Recognition event at the governor’s mansion on Monday.

The semi-finalists were chosen among 15 teachers, and each semi-finalist received a $1,000 prize provided by the Walton Family Foundation. 

The top five educators were:

• Alana Ashworth from Prairie Grove Middle School
• Chenel Dale from Asbell Elementary School
• Gretchen Freyaldenhoven from Greenbrier Wooster Elementary School
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• Elaina Weaver from Bethel Middle School
• Stephanie Williams from Mountain View Elementary School

The 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will be announced this fall. The winner will travel across the state as a representative and be eligible to apply for the National Teacher of the Year program.

“The secret to a great education is great educators, and it’s a privilege to honor a few of our state’s best,” Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. “This year’s finalists are more than just teachers; they are counselors, friends, mentors, and leaders. What they do truly changes lives. Congratulations to this year’s finalists – from me, from every Arkansas parent, and from our entire state.”

To learn more about the Arkansas Teacher of the Year program, visit DESE.ADE.Arkansas.gov.