  Conway's District Teacher of the Year Randi House has been named a Semi-Finalist for Arkansas State Teacher of the Year. House, along with three other teachers from around the state, was the first name revealed at a ceremony with the Governor and Arkansas Department of Education Commissioner this morning. Describing her as a teacher who makes sure to meet her students' basic needs first, and always keeping clothing and food available in her classroom, a classroom where she takes them on virtual trips around the world, Arkansas' current teacher of the year recognized House for her commitment to community partnerships and hands-on learning. House now moves on to the final round of the competition for Arkansas State Teacher of the Year, where a panel of state education leaders will visit her classroom and school for interviews and observations. "We are ecstatic at Randi attaining this recognition," says Dr. Greg Murry, Superintendent of Conway Public Schools. "She does such a wonderful job of taking care of our youngest students and they love her for it. We look forward to her continuing this journey as she represents all of our teachers and the excellent work they do."    Conway Public Schools' District Teacher of the Year Randi House has been named a Regional Finalist in the competition for Arkansas' State Teacher of the Year. House received the news last Friday that she is one of 14 regional finalists for the state award. House, along with other Conway teachers, was finishing up a week of Professional Development when she and her Principal found out the news. "It was such an incredible moment when I found out I had been selected," House said. "Dr. Woosley was showing a slide show of our students and noticed an email had popped up on her screen. She excitedly called me over and we read it together in front of our entire school family. It was so special to not only feel my own excitement, but to witness how immensely happy my principal and colleagues were for me. I am so honored to represent Conway Public Schools and thankful for this incredible opportunity." Theodore Jones Elementary Principal Tammy Woosley agrees. "To watch her reaction on receiving the good news, and the reaction of her team was a true joy as their leader. Randi truly lives out our district’s core values and I know that came through in her application to the ADE. Her dedication to each student and our team is a true testament of why she has been selected for such a prestigious honor." The regional finalists are determined based on their Teacher of the Year applications they submitted last summer. The highest scores for each education service cooperative and Pulaski County move on to the next level, where four state semi-finalists will be named. This will happen at a reception with the Governor on August 30th at the State Capitol.    |