Toran Isom is Teacher of the Year
Dr. Toran E. Isom, an instructor in UALR’s Department of Rhetoric and Writing, has been named Arkansas English Higher Education Teacher of the Year by the Arkansas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts.
The organization of teachers of English language arts cited Isom for her teaching innovations, research, publication, and service to students, parents, and professional membership organizations.
Isom was presented her award at ACTELA’s fall luncheon Thursday, Nov. 13, during the council’s fall convention. The meeting coincided with the fall convention of the Arkansas Educators Association (AEA) and the Arkansas Curriculum Conference.
Isom, who earned her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, is the creator and voice of “Once Upon a Book,” airing twice daily on National Public Radio affiliate, KLRE/ KUAR. At UALR she has received her college’s Public Service Award and has been given the Outstanding Faculty Award by the Student Government Association. She also was a newspaper columnist (“Teaching Your Child,” “Growing Up Reading”) and Education Editor at KATV (“Focus on Education”).