Juanita I. Harris, a first-grade teacher at Union da Vinci Magnet School, recently was named a regional finalist for Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
The Arkansas Department of Education announced the 14 state finalists Monday. Gov. Asa Hutchinson and ADE Commissioner Johnny Key, along with family, friends and fellow educators, will honor the finalists at 9:45 a.m. Aug. 16 at the Governor's Mansion in Little Rock.
As a regional finalist, Harris will receive a $1,000 cash award.
She is a 2006 graduate of Arkansas High School and completed a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction at Southern Arkansas University.
"Ms. Harris' dedication and commitment to her students is worthy of recognition," Superintendent Dr. Becky Kesler stated in a news release. "She makes learning fun and creates an innovative educational environment for her students. We are proud that she is representing the Texarkana Arkansas School District as a 2018 Teacher of the Year Regional Finalist."