Lindsay Rankin Named Arkansas Teacher of the Year
The Bernice Young Elementary educator earned the statewide honor after a rigorous selection process.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Primary Education
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Lindsay Rankin has been named the 2027 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. The award, administered by the Arkansas Department of Education, recognizes her outstanding dedication to teaching and leadership skills.
Why it matters
The annual award honors educators who demonstrate exceptional commitment to student development. By highlighting exemplary teachers, the program aims to promote excellence and leadership within the state school system.
Lindsay Rankin was selected from a field of 5 state semifinalists after an evaluation process that included reviewing her essays on special education and inclusion. She now becomes eligible to apply for the National Teacher of the Year program.
The players
Lindsay Rankin
She is an educator at Bernice Young Elementary who was named the 2027 Arkansas Teacher of the Year.
Arkansas Department of Education
This state agency administers the annual teacher of the year program and oversees the selection process.
Stephanie Williams
She is the immediate predecessor who held the title of Arkansas Teacher of the Year before Rankin.
The details
A selection committee visited the semifinalists to evaluate their performance in the classroom and their contributions to their respective school communities. The process culminated in Rankin being chosen to succeed Stephanie Williams as the top educator in the state.
Timeline
Justin Minkel won the award in 2007.
Joel Lookadoo received the honor in 2020.
Rankin was named a semifinalist on August 6, 2026.
Rankin was named Teacher of the Year on October 8, 2026.
Culture Shift
The selection of Lindsay Rankin follows a long-standing tradition established by the Arkansas Teacher of the Year award. This honor reinforces the ongoing societal shift toward prioritizing inclusive practices and specialized educational support within public classrooms.
The selection of a teacher from Bernice Young Elementary brings statewide recognition to the instructional methods used in the Springdale area. Parents and community members can expect continued focus on inclusive education as the district supports Rankin in her new role.
The takeaway
This award highlights the importance of inclusive teaching strategies in modern classrooms. Educators across the region can look to these successful evaluation criteria as a benchmark for their own professional development.
Further reading
Learn more about local school achievements in our Primary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette.
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