Retaining High-Performing Educators: Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship
Case Study Highlights
The big picture: The Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellowship annually honors a cohort of recipients of the state’s Merit Teacher Incentive Fund, an initiative of the LEARNS Act that recognizes and rewards high-performing educators.
Zoom in: Following the success of its inaugural cohort, the fellowship has welcomed 30 new classroom teachers for the 2026-27 school year. The educators represent the breadth of the K-12 education system, spanning nearly every region, grade, and subject area.
Context: LEARNS is strengthening the teacher workforce. To be eligible for merit pay, educators must have an Arkansas teaching license and three years of experience, meet the definition of “teacher” as outlined in LEARNS, demonstrate a positive impact on student growth, and fall into at least one merit pay category (outstanding student growth, teaching in a critical shortage area, or serving as a mentor to a teacher resident).
Why it matters: Teachers are the single most important in-school factor for student achievement. According to the Office for Education Policy (OEP), research shows that well-designed merit pay programs can boost teacher recruitment and retention for stronger academic outcomes.
The impact: To date, the Merit Teacher Incentive Fund has awarded more than $50 million in bonuses to 12,000+ educators statewide. Last year, more than 4,800 teachers received an average of $3,272. Recipients were from districts of all sizes and in a wide variety of subject areas and school levels, with more experienced teachers more likely to receive bonuses.
What’s next: During the 2026-27 school year, fellows will participate in exclusive professional learning opportunities to enhance their classroom practice, build statewide connections, and raise awareness of the teaching profession. Follow along with their progress here.
2026-27 Arkansas Excellence in Teaching Fellows
- Deja Avery, eStem Public Charter School
- Jessica Baggett, Russellville School District
- Hannah Baxter, Batesville School District
- Joseph Beck, Brookland School District
- Jason Campbell, Conway School District
- Amanda Cardenas, Southside School District
- Sara Carr, Cabot School District
- Chae Coan, Haas Hall Academy
- Tracy Craft, Rogers School District
- Landon Davis, Palestine-Wheatley School District
- Mallory Dingler, Bryant School District
- Susan Eichenberger, Clarksville School District
- Stephanie Fiori, Fouke School District
- L. Allyse Gibbons, North Little Rock School District
- Erin Green, Benton School District
- Allison Heffington, Cabot School District
- Matthew Jimerson, Pine Bluff School District
- Chelsea Johnson, Mena School District
- Lauren Landers, Searcy School District
- Chip Martin, Fayetteville School District
- Jennifer McFarland, Midland School District
- Mackenzie Oliver, LISA Academy
- McKenzie Outlaw, Drew Central School District
- James Perry, Greenwood School District
- Jessica Roush, Maynard School District
- Kiera Scott, Exalt Academy Of Southwest Little Rock
- Jennifer Stoesz, Lakeside School District
- Desiree Stokes, Jonesboro School District
- Becky Turnbough, Salem School District
- Taylor Webb, Van Buren School District