The Texarkana Arkansas School District (TASD) is proud to announce that 22 educators have been selected as recipients of the LEARNS Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program, joining a distinguished group of over 4,200 teachers across Arkansas. These educators have earned merit bonuses of up to $10,000 each, with a collective award total of $73,000—a testament to their powerful impact on student learning, school culture, and community engagement.
Established under the Arkansas LEARNS Act, the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund Program recognizes teachers who demonstrate exceptional performance, student growth outcomes, and leadership within their schools and districts. The program seeks to retain and reward top educators who are shaping the future of education in Arkansas through innovation, dedication, and excellence in instruction.
The following TASD educators have been honored with this distinction:
Kristy Taylor
Rhonda Adams
Christina Moore
Jana Edwards
Shelly Grice
Yolanda Smith
Hannah Hubrel
Jason Tatom
Kari Valentine
Lyndsey Willis
Kashandra Murphy
Beverly Webb
Daryl Cameron
Katina Crouse Posey
Annie Hamlin
Brenda Hatfield
Margrett Howard
Monica Mclelland
Sandra Newton
Alexandria Rico
Anna Taylor
Lesley Wiederspan
“These educators represent the very best of our profession,” said Dr. Lloyd Jackson, Superintendent of Texarkana Arkansas School District. “Their unwavering commitment to student success and their ability to inspire academic and personal growth make a lasting impact far beyond the classroom. We are incredibly proud to see their work acknowledged on the state level.”
Each of the recognized teachers has demonstrated high levels of effectiveness as measured through rigorous state criteria. Their leadership, creativity, and compassion continue to elevate the district's mission of providing high-quality education to every student.
“This recognition reinforces what we already know—our teachers are among the most talented and impactful in the state. Their dedication is not just seen in test scores, but in the confidence, character, and dreams they help build every day,” Jackson added.