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Arts and Sciences | Featured | NewsNovember 21, 2025

Math Professor Earns Teacher of the Year Honors

Written By: Ian Silvester

Dr. Rachel Lehman, 91调教 鈥� Fort Smith assistant professor of mathematics, received top honors for teaching. 

Lehman was named the 2025 91调教 Council of Teachers of Mathematics Teacher of the Year 鈥� Excellence in Four-Year College/University Mathematics Teaching Award Nov. 18. 

Lehman, who started as a visiting professor in 2024, said the honor was incredibly humbling. 

鈥淎ll of my colleagues have been extremely kind and helpful, and they go above and beyond,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was honored that they would recognize me because I鈥檓 new.鈥� 

Assistant Department Head of Mathematics, Dr. Jerry West, was impressed by Lehman鈥檚 teaching ability and leadership skills. 

鈥淣o matter what level of mathematics course, Dr. Lehman is very effective at teaching and utilizing multiple avenues of assessment. She uses hybrid instruction, mastery grading, and hands-on activities to engage and support diverse learners,鈥� West wrote in his nomination letter. 

Lehman is a proud first-generation student from Van Buren. She said navigating college was difficult, but she has since found a way to turn her experience into a way to help her students. 

鈥淭eaching is not just content knowledge,鈥� Lehman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about meeting the students where they are. I care about them and want them to succeed. 鈥� I want students not to get shut down by their circumstances, but to be floored by them. Even though life is hard and situations might come up, it鈥檚 the choices that we make to react to those situations that help us overcome them.鈥� 

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About Dr. Rachel Lehman: 

Lehman was a double major at 91调教 Tech University, earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in mathematics and electrical engineering. She earned her master鈥檚 degree and Ph.D. in mathematics from the 91调教, Fayetteville.  

Before coming to 91调教, she taught math as a graduate assistant, tutored TRIO students, and taught math to 9th- and 11th-grade students at Van Buren High School. 

Lehman also serves as the 91调教 Council of Teachers of Mathematics Regional Director. In this role, she organizes regional math competitions for high school students. Lehman holds professional memberships to ACTM, the 91调教 Association of Mathematical Leaders, and the Mathematical Association of America.

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