Teacher Of The Year Named In Surprise Ceremony
by November 18, 2013 1:49 pm 81 views
The 2014 Arkansas Teacher of the Year is Jonathan Crossley, an English language arts teacher at Palestine Wheatley High School in St. Francis County.
Gov. Mike Beebe made the surprise announcement during a school assembly today, according to a press release from the Arkansas Department of Education.
Crossley teaches 11th- and 12th-grade English and oral communication, serves as the drama director, and is the literacy coach for grades six through 12. A teacher for four years, he also served as the girls basketball coach for grades seven through 12 from 2010 to 2013.
The Walton Family Foundation presented him a $14,000 award at today’s ceremony. He earlier received $1,000 when he was named one of 16 regional finalists. SMART Technologies of Canada awarded him the 2014 Teaching Excellence Award, which includes more than $7,200 in technology.
The program is part of the National Teacher of the Year program, which began in 1952.
Crossley will spend a year on paid administrative leave and will serve in an advisory position as a non-voting member of the Arkansas State Board of Education.