AWM’s Hybeck among finalists for State Teacher of the Year

West Memphis English teacher one of 14 regional winners being recognized in July 27 ceremony in Little Rock

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

JONESBORO — A local educator and two others from Northeast Arkansas are among 14 teachers from around the state who have been named 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists.

The Arkansas Department of Education announced the finalists on Wednesday, July 5.

Candice Groves, Kyler Hybeck, and David Ward are representing the Delta and their respective co-ops this year.

Hybeck is an English tecaher for Grade 10 at the Academies of West Memphis. The West Memphis School District is part of the Great Rivers Education Service Cooperative.

Hybeck was awarded “Educator of the Year” by the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce at this year’s Chamber Banquet back in March.

“We are so proud of Ms. Hybeck and are so appreciative of everything she does for our students on a daily basis,” said AWM assistant principal Susan Waggener. “Congratulations!”

Groves teaches French and journalism at Blytheville High School, which is part of the Crowley’s Ridge Educational Service Cooperative, while Ward is an alternative education instructor at Cedar Ridge Elementary School, a member of the Northcentral Arkansas Education Service Cooperative “Congratulations to these teachers for achieving this honor,” ADE Secretary Jacob Oliva said. “We are proud to recognize excellence in teaching and honor those selected for this recognition.”

The finalists will be recognized at a July 27 event at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock. During the reception, the ADE will announce the four state semi-finalists. The 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will be named this fall.

According to Wednesday’s news release, the regional finalists will receive a certificate and a $1,000 prize provided by the Walton Family Foundation The other regional finalists are from the other educational cooperatives are:

• Jacquelyn Briggs – Pre-Kindergarten, Walker Pre-K, Magnolia School District, South Central Service Cooperative.

• Jazmin Carranza – Algebra I, Grades 8-9 Southwest Junior High School, Springdale School District, Northwest Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.

• Nicole Franklin – English Language Arts and Social Studies, Grades 4-5 Orr Elementary School, Fort Smith School District, Guy Fenter Education Service Cooperative.

• Elizabeth Hill – Biology and AP Biology, Grades 10-12 DeWitt High School, DeWitt School District, Southeast Arkansas Education Service Cooperative.

• Jeremy Kennedy – AP English Language and Composition, Grade 11, Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier School District, Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative.

• Julie Landrum – Math and Science, Grades 9-12, Stuttgart High School Stuttgart School District, Arkansas River Education Service Cooperative.

• Ben Light Music, Grades 612 Joe T. Robinson High School Pulaski County Special School District.

• Beau McCastlain – Career and Technical Education – Television Production, Grades 10-12, De Queen High School, De Queen School District De Queen, Mena Education Service Cooperative.

• Kashandra Murphy, Literacy, Grade 5 Harmony Leadership Academy, Texarkana Arkansas School District, Southwest Arkansas Education Cooperative.

• Kassadi Seidenschnur – Library Media, Grades K-5 Hurricane Creek Elementary School, Bryant School District, Dawson Education Service Cooperative.

• Mandy Wolff Family and Consumer Sciences, Grades 10-12 Beebe High School Beebe School District Wilbur D. Mills Education Service Cooperative.