College of Education alumna named Arkansas Teacher of the Year semifinalist

During a special event at the governor’s mansion Aug. 5, 14 regional finalists for Arkansas Teacher of the Year were narrowed to four. Still reeling from the shock of the initial selection, Melani Morgan Blansett (MSE ’03) described the moment she heard her name as “the surprise of [her] career.” 

Blansett’s lifelong love of performance began in 1984 when she was cast as Molly in Harding’s Homecoming production of Annie. She went on to perform in other musicals and Searcy Summer Dinner Theatre productions and remembers spending her “formative years surrounded by the joy, creativity and collaboration of performers and theatre professionals” including theatre department faculty Robin Miller, Dr. Morris Ellis, Dr. Steve Frye and Dottie Frye.

She comes from a legacy of strong educators including her grandmother who taught for nearly 40 years and her mother, Dr. Jan Morgan, who was a professor of elementary and special education in the Cannon-Clary College of Education for 24 years. While studying theatre professionally, Blansett realized a passion for directing. Cherishing the experiences she had with theatre and education at Harding, she was determined to provide those kinds of creative opportunities for her own students. 

Blansett serves as artistic director for the Cabot High School theatre program. She is committed to helping every student reach their personal goals and considers it an honor to walk alongside them through failure and triumph. 

She recognizes God is present in public schools even if his name isn’t mentioned and models unconditional love, forgiveness and compassion to point her students to Christ.

In addition to connections with mentors and friends at Harding who continue to provide professional guidance and advice for Cabot Theatre productions, Blansett also works with a team of Harding alumni who bring a common experience that has proved invaluable. 

Her outstanding leadership was recognized in May 2024 when she was named Cabot Public School’s Teacher of the Year. As a State Teacher of the Year semi-finalist, she is honored for demonstrating excellence in the classroom, an exceptional commitment to students and the teaching profession, and notable skills in public speaking and advocacy. 

The Walton Family Foundation graciously awards each regional finalist a $1,000 prize, and those selected as state semi-finalists receive an additional $1,000. Following site visits to each school district, the 2025 Arkansas Teacher of the Year will be officially announced later this fall. 

Blansett graduated from the University of Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1998 and earned a Master of Science in Education in theatre education at Harding in 2003. She also completed professional training at the American Conservatory Theater Congress in San Francisco, California. She and her husband, Matt (’05), have two sons, Chess and Palmer. 

To learn more about the Cannon-Clary College of Education, schedule a campus visit, or see our program page.