WEST MEMPHIS, Ark. (AP) -- A kindergarten teacher in the Marion School District has been named the Arkansas teacher of the year.
 

As teacher of the year, Alexia Weimer will receive a $15,000 check from the Walton Family Foundation. She'll also receive a year of paid leave to serve as a non-voting member of the Arkansas State Board of Education.

Education Commissioner Tom Kimbrell made the announcement Monday at a school assembly.

Weimer has been a teacher for six years, all of them at Avondale Elementary School in West Memphis. She holds a bachelor's degree in early childhood education and a master's degree in educational leadership from Arkansas State University.
 
Her colleagues say she's known for using technology to make learning fun for her students.

   AP-WF-11-26-12 1809GMT