Three educators from north-central Arkansas have been selected to join the 2026–2027 cohort of the Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship, state officials announced Thursday. The program, now in its second year, recognizes outstanding teachers and provides support to enhance classroom instruction and raise the stature of the teaching profession.
The local honorees are Hannah Baxter of the Batesville School District, Amanda Cardenas of the Southside School District, and Jennifer McFarland of the Midland School District. They are among 30 educators statewide chosen for the fellowship, which represents a diverse group of teachers from across Arkansas covering various grade levels and subject areas.
The Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship was launched in 2025 in collaboration with the Arkansas Department of Education. It is designed to align with the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund, a program established under the LEARNS Act. Over the past three years, the initiative has provided more than $50 million in performance-based pay to over 12,000 educators across the state. The fellowship seeks to broaden understanding of the fund and encourage teacher retention and excellence.
“This program’s goals are two-fold: rewarding excellence and encouraging more teachers to enter and stay in our classrooms,” said Jacob Oliva, secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education. “We are excited to announce this new cohort of fellows, who are leaders for their students, local communities, and our state.”
Participants in the fellowship will engage in specialized professional development and peer collaboration throughout the academic year. They will also receive a $1,500 stipend and ongoing support to share their experiences as merit pay recipients.
The program is part of broader efforts to address teacher recruitment and retention challenges in Arkansas while promoting professional growth in education.