UCA alum Capri Bell Salaam received the 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year Award and is the fourth UCA graduate to do so in the past eight years.

“This award will forever hold a special place in my heart because I consider teaching a calling with divine purpose. So, for me to win this award reassures me that teaching is what I am meant to do,” Salaam said. “There are so many amazing educators in our state so I am proud to represent the work that we all do daily.” 

The journey started for Salaam when she and a colleague were nominated as Teacher of the Year by their school. After that, she competed for District Teacher of the Year and was announced the winner at the “Night of Honors” Gala in April 2022. 

As District Teacher of the Year, Salaam was required to apply for the Arkansas State Teacher of the Year. The Arkansas Department of Education then conducted school site visits for observations and interviews before announcing the winner. 

Salaam found out she’d won during a pep rally she thought was for recognizing athletes. 

“We did recognize all of our fall athletic teams, then I looked over and saw my husband and that’s when I knew something was happening. I was happy, I had tears in my eyes. My students had to wipe the tears from my face for me,” Salaam said. 

“It was so surreal walking up to Johnny Key, the commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education with the auditorium full of cheering.”

Salaam graduated from UCA with an English degree in 2008 after receiving an associate degree from Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas. 

As a student, she served on the Student Judiciary Board, joined the Pre-Law society and worked in housing as a Resident Assistant. 

“I chose UCA because it had the best English department in the entire state. Ironically, I decided to take Praxis I on a whim during my last semester at UCA to see how I would do on the assessment. I passed well over the minimum scores,” Salaam said.

It wasn’t until years after graduation that Salaam began her journey in education with a master of arts in teaching from Arkansas Tech University. 

The UCA alum minored in gender studies and spent most of her time in Irby Hall. She was inspired by Wendy Lucas, who is now the chair of the history department. 

“I took several classes with her, and I was so impressed by her extensive knowledge, ability to connect with students and the way she carried herself with such confidence and class,” Salaam said.

Salaam has worked for eight years at North Little Rock Middle School. She started teaching 7th grade English, then transitioned into special education for two years. Salaam has worked as the multi-classroom lead teacher for the seventh and eighth grade social studies department for the past five years. 

“My students inspire me to return to the classroom day after day. Making a difference in their lives is so meaningful to my soul. Each year, I take time to reflect on the teachers who have made a difference in my life and pay it forward with my own students,” Salaam said. 

Despite not finding her calling for teaching until after her time at UCA, she makes the education department proud. 

“The College of Education and the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science are extremely proud of Ms. Capri Salaam on being named the 2023 Arkansas Teacher of the Year,” Dean of the College of Education Victoria Groves-Scott said. 

Salaam is currently completing her National Teacher of the Year application and is also choosing a doctoral program.