Tara Derby, a Reading Interventionist at East End Elementary School, was named the 2025-26 Sheridan School District Teacher of the Year last night at a meeting of the district’s Board of Education. (She is pictured receiving her award from Jeff Lisenbey, president of the board.)
Derby has dedicated 23 years to teaching students in the Sheridan School District. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, a master’s degree in Reading, National Board Certification in Reading, and recently earned designation as a Certified Academic Language Therapist. She has served a combined 20 years as President of the Grant County Reading Council and is a board member and past President of the Arkansas Literacy Association, where she works to promote literacy and support educators across the state. The list of awards for her work in literacy is too long to name them all.
Derby is well known for her community outreach efforts, regularly distributing free books to families and promoting a culture of reading throughout the East End and Sheridan communities. Through her leadership, advocacy, and innovative approaches to literacy instruction, she works to ensure every child has the opportunity to become a confident, lifelong reader. Her coworkers say that she shows up early and stays late, and always has a smile on her face and is willing to help anyone.
East End Elementary Principal Tamara Strawn says what truly sets Derby apart is “not only her expertise, but her heart… She teaches with her heart and lives out the belief that every child matters.”