LITTLE ROCK — Beau McCastlain, a Career and Technical Education teacher at De Queen High School, was named the 2024 Arkansas Teacher of the Year today during a surprise visit from Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Jacob Oliva. McCastlain has 14 years of experience and currently teaches television production.
“Beau McCastlain is everything we could ask for in an Arkansas teacher: someone who puts student success first and foremost, someone who thinks outside the box to get his students excited for their future careers, and someone who leverages his expertise to create new, exciting opportunities in the classroom,” Governor Sanders said. “Congratulations to Beau on this high honor. I look forward to working with him as he travels our state to promote expanded Career and Technical Education, as well as the other reforms my administration is making like higher teacher pay, universal education freedom, and science-based literacy teaching.”
“Congratulations to Beau McCastlain for being named the Arkansas Teacher of the Year,” Oliva said. “McCastlain shares his passion and experience in the news industry to prepare his students for careers beyond high school. He not only teaches his students the skills of the trade, but he also connects them with real-world opportunities in the community around them. I look forward to working with him when he begins his tenure as Teacher of the Year.”
In addition to building the high school’s DQTV program from the ground up, McCastlain promotes a culture of school pride by empowering students to showcase the many learning opportunities in their classrooms, schools, and communities. He has built partnerships with the local radio station and the Arkansas Broadcasters Association, which have resulted in paid internships and freelance opportunities for his students, and his students have received state and national recognition for their work. As the district’s communications director, McCastlain’s efforts have improved communication with parents and the community, leading to increased parental involvement.
McCastlain began his career in 2001 as a photojournalist at KTHV Channel 11 in Little Rock. He spent several years in the media industry in Arkansas, working for KARK Channel 4, KLRT FOX 16, KHOG/KHBS 40/29 News, and KATV Channel 7. McCastlain transitioned to education in 2009 as a teacher, head baseball coach, and assistant football coach at the Foreman School District. He then moved to the De Queen School District, where he currently teaches and serves as the advisor and instructor for the student-run television production program at the high school.
In addition to receiving a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a minor in Computer Information Systems from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, McCastlain also earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership and Administration from Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia. He is certified to teach social studies for grades 7-12 and holds a technical permit for television broadcasting.
McCastlain is a member of multiple organizations, including the National School Public Relations Association, ArkaNSPRA (the Arkansas chapter of NSPRA), and the Association for Career and Technical Education. He is a regional board member for the Arkansas Scholastic Press Association and a professional advisor for Skills USA.
McCastlain was named the De Queen High School Teacher of the Year and De Queen Public Schools Teacher of the Year for 2022-2023.
When named an ATOY Regional Finalist, McCastlain received a $1,000 prize and an additional $1,000 for being named an ATOY State Semi-Finalist. Today, he received an additional $14,000 award sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation and is eligible to apply for the National Teacher of the Year program.
McCastlain will begin his one-year tenure as Arkansas Teacher of the Year on July 1, 2024, and will travel the state for a year promoting his platform and representing teachers. He also will serve as a non-voting member on the State Board of Education.
To learn more about the Arkansas Teacher of the Year program, visit https://dese.link/ATOY.
