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Teacher of the Year

Celebrating Excellence in Education

Every year, our district honors an outstanding educator who exemplifies dedication, innovation, and passion for teaching. The Teacher of the Year award recognizes those who inspire students, support colleagues, and make a lasting impact on our schools and community.

Martin Hyatt Headshot

 

School: Northside High School

Subject: AP Psychology, Intro to Psychology, Intro to Econ
Years of Service: 31 years

Education:
Hendrix College, BA in History
University of Virginia, MAT in History

University of Arkansas, Secondary Administrative Certification

Recognitions:
Young Educator of the Year - Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce

2024 Teacher of the Year - Martin Hyatt

With an impressive 36-year teaching career, Martin Hyatt exemplifies dedication to the classroom and its transformative power. Originally planning to pursue law at Hendrix College, he stumbled into teaching by what he calls "dumb luck." Despite the unplanned path, he discovered a lifelong calling, shaped by countless opportunities to mentor, counsel, motivate, and learn from students and colleagues alike.

Before committing fully to teaching, he explored a career in sales with U-Pack at ArcBest, where he gained valuable self-awareness and affirmed his passion for education. Reflecting on his journey, Mr. Hyatt emphasizes the importance of being "all in" as a teacher, a role that requires undivided attention and relentless effort.

Through successes and failures, Mr. Hyatt attributes his personal growth to the lessons learned within the classroom and the relationships built along the way.

 

Teaching creates multiple opportunities to attempt to motivate, instruct, counsel, mentor, listen, and learn from my students and colleagues. I think I am a better man because of all the various successes and many failures I have experienced up close and personal over the years.

Martin Hyatt

Mr. Hyatt in classroom
students celebrating Mr. Hyatt after being announced as teacher of the year

Campus Teachers of the Year

Hall of Fame

Past FSPS Teachers of the Year

2023/2024 - Nicole Franklin - Orr Elementary

2022/2023 - Aimee Brinkley - Northside High School

2021/2022 - Rozanna Brown - Ballman Elementary

2020/2021 - Susanna Post* - Belle Point Center

2019/2020 - Dejah Stephens - Orr Elementary

2018/2019 - Karen Arthur - Darby Middle School

2017/2018 - Natasha Shoate - Cavanaugh Elementary

2017 - Melissa Trangmar - Belle Point Center

2016 - Kim Rahi - Barling Elementary

2015 - Maria Galvan - Ramsey Middle School

2014 - Lisa Gray - Sunnymede Elementary

2013 - Marquita Carty - Northside High School

2012 - Meghan Estep - Cavanaugh Elementary

2011 - Oretha Ferguson - Southside High School

2010 - Lenora Bullington - Cavanaugh Elementary 

2009 - Jeff Mosby - Ramsey Middle School

2008 - Marla Needham - Carnall Elementary

2007 - Sherry Cawhorn-Christopher - Darby Middle School

2005 - Lynda Walker - Sunnymede Elementary

2004 - Virgina "Ginger" Jeffries - Ramsey Middle School

2003 - Ruth "Cookie" Collyar - Sutton Elementary

2001 - Martin Hyatt - Northside High School

2000 - James "Lynn" Smith - Northside High School

1999 - Donna Sue Wintory - Euper Lane Elementary

1998 - Bob Watkins - Park Elementary

1997 - Dacie Rau - Orr Elementary

1996 - Carol Sue Blankenship - Kimmons Middle School

1994 - Sherry Cawhorn - Darby Middle School

1993 - Debbie Mickle - Park Elementary School

1992 - Patricia Dawn Taylor - Carnall Elementary

1991 - Becky Shopfner - Chaffin Middle School

1990 - Joanna Hudson - Carnall Elementary

1984 - C. Ray Baker* - Southside High School

* Arkansas Teacher of the Year Winners