by Steve Brawner (BRAWNERSTEVE@MAC.COM)

Beau McCastlain, a television production teacher at De Queen High School, was named the Arkansas Teacher of the Year Monday (Oct. 9).

McCastlain learned he had been selected out of 34,000 public school teachers statewide during a surprise visit to his school studio by Gov. Sarah Sanders and Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva. His students responded with enthusiastic applause. He had been selected as one of four semifinalists this summer.

Starting July 1, 2024, he will spend next year out of the classroom traveling the state and promoting teachers, and he will serve as a nonvoting member of the Arkansas State Board of Education.

De Queen’s Beau McCastlain named Arkansas Teacher of the Year

LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Department of Education has announced the 14 educators named 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Regional Finalists. These educators will be recognized July 27 at an event at the Governor’s Mansion.

“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.”

DQTV Teacher and District Communications Director Beau McCastlain has been named one of the 14 regional finalists. “I want to say a very sincere thank you to our Leopard Family for making this opportunity possible,” said McCastlain. “ I am extremely honored to be named one of the 14 finalists for Arkansas Teacher of the Year, but my students are the ones who have made this possible. DQTV has developed into a great success because of their engagement, commitment, and hard work. We have amazing kids and I am blessed to be in a position that allows me to work with them each day. ”

The regional finalists will each receive a certificate and a $1,000 prize provided by the Walton Family Foundation. The event at the Governor’s Mansion in Little Rock will include a brunch, a ceremony honoring the 14 finalists and the announcement of four 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist, and one will be named the 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year this fall.