The Marion School District is honoring some of its most outstanding educators with the announcement of its 2025-26 Teachers of the Year. Through votes from school staff, one Teacher of the Year was selected from each school in the district, with one honoree named the overall district winner.
This year’s Marion School District Teacher of the Year is Shannon Banks, a garden educator and EAST facilitator at Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet. Banks is also the Teacher of the Year for MST.
Other honorees and their respective schools are Lentisha Fifer, Marion Seventh Grade Academy; Ashley Gentry, Marion Junior High School; Leigh Hughes, Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet; Sophia Hughes, Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet; and Nancy Sparks, Marion High School.
“Each of these educators represents the heart of what makes the Marion School District exceptional,” said Dr. Glen Fenter, Marion superintendent. “They lead with passion, build meaningful relationships with students, and consistently go above and beyond to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. We are proud to celebrate their impact, and we also recognize that they are part of a much larger group of outstanding educators across our district who make this level of excellence possible every day.”
Shannon Banks -- MSD Teacher of the Year & MST Teacher of the Year
Shannon Banks serves as the greenhouse teacher and garden educator at Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet, where she teaches more than 800 students in kindergarten through sixth grade each year. Since joining MST in 2019, when the greenhouse program was first established, Banks has developed it into one of the largest elementary greenhouse programs in the region, serving every student on campus.
Through a fully functioning greenhouse program, she guides students in growing food, understanding sustainability, and making connections between science, culture, and real-world experiences. Her classroom extends beyond traditional instruction as students cook, conduct experiments, analyze trends, and apply critical thinking skills in meaningful, hands-on ways.
In addition to her greenhouse instruction, Banks also serves as the EAST Initiative facilitator and oversees WMST, the school’s student-led news program. Through these roles, students develop skills in technology, media production, problem-solving, and communication, applying their learning in authentic and impactful ways.
Banks said being selected by her peers is especially meaningful.
“Being selected by my peers is truly meaningful because it comes from those who see the work and impact every day,” she said. “Teaching requires dedication, adaptability, and collaboration, and this recognition reflects not only my efforts but also the strong, supportive culture we’ve built at MST.”
Her favorite part of teaching at MST is the school’s willingness to push beyond traditional boundaries. Among her proudest accomplishments is building a program that reaches every student and blends multiple disciplines into real-world learning experiences.
“I am most proud of building a program that reaches every student and provides meaningful, real-world learning experiences across multiple platforms,” Banks said. “What began as a greenhouse has evolved into a comprehensive, cross-curricular program. Ultimately, my greatest accomplishment is seeing students leave with confidence, curiosity, and practical skills they can carry with them beyond the classroom.”
Sophia Hughes – VPA Teacher of the Year
Sophia Hughes teaches sixth grade literacy at Marion Visual & Performing Arts Magnet and has been at VPA for seven years.
Her favorite part of teaching at VPA is the collaborative culture among staff and the ability to build strong relationships with students.
“My favorite thing about teaching at VPA is that I am able to collaborate with educators that share my passion for teaching,” she said. “My most favorite thing is to happily go to work each day to a place where I know I have support.”
Hughes also said she feels deeply grateful to be recognized by her peers.
“I am so blessed to have co-workers who recognize that what I do makes a difference in the lives of students,” she said. “I am humbled by the fact that co-workers who value education as much as I do see my passion for teaching.”
Hughes said her most meaningful accomplishment is the lasting relationships she builds with students.
“The accomplishments that I am most proud of are the relationships that I build/have built with my students that extend far beyond the walls of the classroom,” she said.
Leigh Hughes – HCGC Teacher of the Year
Leigh Hughes has taught kindergarten for 33 years, including the past eight years at Herbert Carter Global Community Magnet. She spent the first 25 years of her career at Avondale Elementary.
She said the recognition from colleagues was a meaningful surprise.
“I am extremely honored,” Hughes said. “The halls are filled with amazing educators and wonderful people -- this award could have gone to any one of them.”
Hughes said the culture at HCGC is what makes the school special.
“I think the culture at HCGC is really special,” she said. “Teachers and students truly love being there and feel like they are part of something meaningful.”
Among her proudest accomplishments is the environment she created for her students.
“I am most proud of the safe, loving, and engaging learning environment I was able to create for so many students,” she said. “I’ve also been blessed to build relationships with so many families that I now consider friends.”
Lentisha Fifer – 7GA Teacher of the Year
Lentisha Fifer teaches seventh grade honors science and has been at Marion Seventh Grade Academy for 16 years.
She said she is grateful to be recognized by her peers.
“I’m grateful to my peers who selected me for this award,” Fifer said. “It is great to be recognized by my colleagues, but they also share in this award because we all play an important role in teaching and learning.”
Fifer said the best part about her job is the supportive staff environment at 7GA.
“My favorite thing about teaching at my school is that I get to work with an amazing group of people,” she said. “They’re always willing to answer any questions that I may have and offer help.”
She said her greatest reward is seeing student growth over time.
“My proudest moments are watching students develop a love of learning after struggling academically,” she said.
Ashley Gentry – MJHS Teacher of the Year
Ashley Gentry teaches honors physical science at Marion Junior High School and also serves as a bus route driver. This is her second year at MJHS.
Gentry said she was surprised and honored by the recognition.
“I was truly so surprised to be chosen by my peers to be the TOTY,” she said. “There are a lot of worthy teachers at our school for this honor.”
She said the school’s positive culture is a major strength.
“I love teaching at MJHS because there are so many people here that are so excited and motivated to help students,” Gentry said.
Her proudest accomplishment is student growth.
“The accomplishment that I am most proud of as a teacher is when I see the students grow academically before my eyes,” she said.
Nancy Sparks – MHS Teacher of the Year
Nancy Sparks teaches special education self-contained for grades 10-12 at Marion High School and also serves as the district’s Special Olympics representative. She has been teaching for 33 years, including 16 years in Marion.
Among her proudest accomplishments are her students’ milestones and achievements.
“Some of my best accomplishments as a teacher are seeing my special education students walk across the stage as a graduate,” she said. “I am so very proud of all of my students.”
In 2010, Sparks received the Area 13 Special Olympics Kathy Goodlow Award, which she noted as a career highlight.
Sparks said the Teacher of the Year recognition is especially meaningful because of her colleagues.
“To know that they voted for me as the MHS teacher of the year is such an honor,” she said. “I am surrounded by excellent teachers who deserve this recognition.”
She said one of her favorite experiences was working alongside her own family.
“My favorite thing about teaching at Marion was I got to be here when my own son graduated from Marion High School,” Sparks said.
The Marion School District is an innovative and growing district that ensures an equitable, engaging learning community where every student is empowered to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. With more than 150 years of experience serving families in Crittenden County, the district offers a high school, a junior high, a seventh grade academy, and three award-winning magnet schools. For enrollment information, including information on school choice, visit https://www.msd3.org/ or call 870-739-5100.