Stephanie Williams has been in education for 16 years, teaching band, general music, music technology and elementary music classes. Williams currently teaches music at Mountain View Elementary in Benton, Arkansas, to students in kindergarten through fourth grade. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education K-12 from Arkansas Tech University, a master’s degree in special education 4-12 from Arkansas State University and National Board Certification.

Williams was named 2025 Teacher of the Year for Mountain View Elementary and Benton Public School District before being recognized as the 2026 Arkansas Teacher of the Year. She was nominated by colleagues and students and received PEAK (Positive, Engaging, Ambitious, Kindhearted) Awards from 2023-2025. In April 2020, Williams was featured as Arkansan of the Day by KTHV-TV's Craig O’Neill after being interviewed about her thoughts on education in the pandemic and sharing a hopeful message to those struggling.

Williams has presented at statewide and out-of-state events to inspire educators to promote creativity, life skills and music technology and implement cross-curriculum lessons — highlighting the power of arts in education. She was published in the Arkansas Music Education Association Journal and has spoken at professional associations, such as music education conferences, school cooperatives and school district events. Williams has been a guest speaker for Arkansas Tech University to help guide future educators with innovative lessons.

Her mission is to empower students to discover their passions and become advocates for themselves and others. She strives to create opportunities for students to develop independence and explore subjects that are meaningful to them.