Cave City fifth-grade teacher Carlie Qualls has been named the August Face of Arkansas by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, state officials announced. Qualls was recognized for her innovative teaching methods and ability to incorporate personal experiences into classroom lessons.
As part of the recognition, Qualls’s portrait, a written profile, and a short video will be displayed at the entrance to the Governor’s Office in the Arkansas State Capitol.
Qualls earned distinction for her unique educational project, *A Walk Through History*, which turned the town of Cave City into an interactive historical experience. The idea stemmed from a student’s description of a ghost tour in Washington, D.C., which inspired Qualls to bring history to life for her students while involving the broader community.
She repurposed local landmarks into historical settings. For example, Drifters Coffee transformed into a Boston tavern where founding fathers once gathered, while the cave that gave Cave City its name became part of the storyline. Local volunteers also participated, with one portraying the Headless Horseman joining students for lunch in the park, and another portraying Molly Pitcher loading cannons outside the historic Pinkston House. Community members, parents, and local businesses stepped up to support the project, blending education with neighborhood camaraderie.
Qualls fills multiple roles within the Cave City School District, teaching fifth grade, coaching pee wee basketball, and providing English language services for non-native speakers.
Governor Sanders noted that, since the enactment of the LEARNS Act, teachers like Qualls now have greater access to real-time student performance data. The initiative is aimed at helping educators identify strengths, address learning gaps, and tailor instruction to meet the needs of each student during the school year.
Qualls’s work in and out of the classroom reflects a commitment to both student achievement and community involvement, earning her state-level recognition for her contributions to education.