Beginning in July of 2026, Michael Tapee will be the Principal of Prairie Grove High School in Prairie Grove, Arkansas. After a year of leadership at Don Tyson School of Innovation, and a year of experience as an instructional facilitator at Central Junior High School, Tapee has the privilege of leading the incredible Prairie Grove Tigers in their journey to deliver educational excellence to all of their students every single day! Tapee is passionate about educational leadership because he believes that teachers (and all the amazing additional school staff) are the most incredible humans on the planet. His leadership is rooted in a deep belief that teachers deserve leaders who invest in their staff and in their growth as professionals. Tapee knows that educators bring a uniquely qualified set of skills and training to the table, and he strives to be an advocate for their work. Finally, he believes that public education can change the world. Tapee desires to be a leader who will clear the way for teachers and staff to make that change a reality.
At the time of his Award, mathematics master Michael Tapee was a 6th-7th grade teacher and robotics coach at Hellstern Middle School. He thrives when it comes to sparking young learners’ interest in STEM. His passion for creating exciting, authentic project-based learning experiences plays a pivotal role in the success of his sixth and seventh grade students. Tapee is exceptionally skilled at connecting mathematical concepts with real-world situations. Lessons on proportional relationships are explored by working with an astrophysicist guest speaker. Geometric concepts, such as trajectory, are explored through a rocket-building project. Each year, he guides students through designing apartment floor plans and determining the appropriate rent after various composite area calculations, then 3D-printing their designs to take home. Tapee’s hands-on teaching approach consistently yields impactful results; his students show consistently high average yearly growth on the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) assessment as well as consistently high test scores, often reaching a proficiency level of at least 85%.
Tapee is known for his co-creation and development of Hellstern’s Herobotics program, a competitive robotics team designed to help students pursue STEM outside of the classroom. His growing team regularly qualifies for state competitions and has won several championships.
Hellstern Middle School’s culture is collaborative, inclusive and fun thanks in large part to Tapee’s efforts. He has fostered a supportive learning environment by taking on various leadership roles: team-leading Hellstern’s guiding coalition, organizing back-to-school adult learning exercises, leading professional development seminars, speaking at education conferences, contributing to student success podcasts and building Hellstern’s Year in Review for families and community members. Tapee instills an appreciation for learning through trial and error among his students and colleagues while leading with a positive growth mindset. His dedication to student success extends far beyond his own students; he partners with his alma mater, the University of Arkansas, to work with the next generation of aspiring teachers. In addition, in 2025, he joined with professors at the University of Arkansas College of Education and Health Professions to help develop the Teacher Advocacy Forum - an effort to raise awareness for the teaching profession and advocate for educators across the state.
Tapee earned a bachelor’s in history and a mathematics minor in 2015 from the University of Arkansas, as well as a master’s in teaching in 2016. In 2023, he completed an education specialist program with a concentration in educational leadership and principalship from Arkansas State University.
Press release: Springdale STEM Star Michael Tapee First in Nation to Receive 2023-24 Milken Educator Award
