Ashley Kincannon, a computer science specialist at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences and the Arts, was selected as Arkansas’ 2023 California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence.
Kincannon was selected as the 2021 Arkansas Education Association Teacher of the Year. That led her to be selected for the California Casualty Award by the National Educational Association Foundation through the AEA.
The California Casualty awardees represent educators from across the country who embody excellence in their practice, advocacy for the profession, commitment to equity and opportunity, community engagement and leadership in professional development, according to The NEA Foundation website.
Kincannon accepted the California Casualty Award during the NEA Foundation Salute to Excellence in Education Gala held in Washington, D.C., in May. She was excited to attend the NEA awards ceremony.
“Being recognized at the national level was incredible because I had the opportunity to network with educators from across the nation. I enjoy learning about what others are doing in their classrooms and state because it broadens my perspective and gives me additional ideas for what I can do here in Arkansas,” she said.
Kincannon said receiving the award served as validation of who she is as an educator.
“I am passionate and dedicated to this profession because I would not be where I am today without the educators who touched my life and planted seeds of inspiration within me,” Kincannon said. “Educators have a special role and opportunity to change the lives of their students. I am thankful for my journey as an educator, and I look forward to what the future holds for me.”