Keynote Speaker:

Jessica Saum

2022 Arkansas Teacher of the Year

Jessica Saum is a native of Columbia, SC but calls Sherwood, AR home. Most recently, she was named the 2021 Cabot Public Schools Teacher of the Year and the 2022 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. Her one-year tenure as Arkansas Teacher of the Year began on July 1, as she is traveling the state as a representative for teachers and will serve as a non-voting member on the Arkansas State Board of Education.

Prior to being named the Teacher of the Year, she was a self-contained special education teacher at Stagecoach Elementary School in Cabot, Arkansas teaching students in kindergarten through fourth grade.

In 2011 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in Early Childhood and Special Education from Arkansas State University. In 2016, she received her Master of Science in Education in 4-12 Special Education from Arkansas State University and in December 2020, Jessica completed the Arkansas State University Special Education Director graduate certificate program in educational leadership.

She is married to Shane, a C-130 pilot at Little Rock Air Force Base, and has two children Tucker and Magnolia.

Jessica is a member of the Association of American Educators (AAE) and is an AAE Foundation Advocacy Fellow as well as an Arkansas State Teachers Association (ASTA) Advocacy Senior Fellow. She is a member of the United Through Reading Literacy Advisory Council and is a special advisor to The Arkansas Council for Military Children. Jessica also serves on the advisory board for GiGi’s Playhouse Little Rock, a Down syndrome achievement center.

Keynote Address: Embracing Joy and Seeking Support as Educators