TAMUC Alum in the Running to be Named ‘America’s Favorite Teacher’

A band director issues instructions to their ensemble.

A Texas A&M University-Commerce alum has the chance to be named “America’s Favorite Teacher” after entering a nationwide contest.

Kara Wallace, a 2005 graduate of A&M-Commerce, is one of many educators across the nation vying for the title. The contest winner is determined by a public vote, with one free vote allowed per 24 hours. Voters can also cast multiple votes at once with a donation to Teach for America, which, according to its website, is a leadership development organization that finds, develops and supports equity-oriented leaders to transform education and expand opportunity for all children.

Wallace is currently the Director of Fine Arts and Director of Bands at Commerce High School in Commerce, Texas.

Contest entrants are split into groups, and the first round of voting began on March 25 and runs until April 4. The voting schedule is below:

  • Top 20 (begins March 25 and ends April 4)
  • Top 15 (begins April 4 and ends April 11)
  • Top 10 (begins April 11 and ends April 18)
  • Top 5 (begins April 18 and ends April 25)
  • Group Finals (begin April 25 and end May 2) – Public voting will help reduce the total number of competitors to one preliminary winner in each group, who will then advance to the Quarterfinals.
  • Wildcard Round (begins May 3 and ends May 5) – Competitors who took second place in their respective group will compete in a shortened round for a chance to advance to the Quarterfinals. Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine the top competitor from each group, who will then advance to the Quarterfinals.
  • Quarterfinals (begins May 6 and ends May 16) – The top competitors from each Group Finals/Wildcard Round group will be divided into Quarterfinals groups. Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine the top one Quarterfinalist from each group, who will then advance to the Semifinals.
  • Semifinals (begins May 17 and ends May 23) – The top competitors from each Quarterfinals group will be divided into Semifinals groups. Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine the top Semifinalist from each group, who will then advance to the Finals.
  • Finals (begins May 24 and ends May 30) – Votes will be reset, and public voting will determine which one Finalist will be the winner of the 2024 America’s Favorite Teacher Competition. The Grand Prize Winner will be announced on or around June 7, 2024.

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a $25,000 cash prize, a trip to Hawaii and be featured in an issue of Reader’s Digest.

To learn more and vote for Wallace, visit the competition website.