LOUISIANA ANNOUNCES SEMIFINALISTS, FINALISTS FOR AWARDS RECOGNIZING TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS, AND EARLY CHILDHOOD LEADERS
(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) announced the teachers, principals, and early childhood leaders who are one step closer to being named the state’s overall honorees. The LDOE named semifinalists for Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year and finalists for Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year and New Teacher of the Year.
“Louisiana’s educators play a vital role in shaping the future of students and our state,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “These outstanding teachers, principals, and early childhood leaders exemplify excellence in education and a deep commitment to student success. We are proud to celebrate their achievements.”
Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year
Each year, the LDOE, in partnership with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, recognizes Louisiana’s most exceptional teachers and principals through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs. These programs celebrate educators who make extraordinary gains with students and serve as models of excellence in their communities.
Teacher of the Year Semifinalists
Heather Cross, Fairview High, Allen Parish
Tante Poche', Gonzales Middle, Ascension Parish
Rebecca Snead, East Beauregard Elementary, Beauregard Parish
Leslie Mauthe, Saline High, Bienville Parish
Jahnice Johnson, Tanglewood Elementary, Central Community School District
Chad Harry, Bogalusa High, City of Bogalusa School District
Katherine Willrich, Neville High, City of Monroe School District
Christopher Frazier, Baton Rouge Magnet High, East Baton Rouge Parish
Melanie Soileau, James Stephens Montessori, Evangeline Parish
Carla Bringier-Mason, Edward Hynes Charter School, Hynes Charter School Corporation
Donna Michelet, Mathematics, Science and Arts Academy West, Iberville Parish
Aaron Beaubouef, Jennings High, Jefferson Davis Parish
Pamela Breaux, Lafayette Renaissance Charter Academy, Lafayette Charter Foundation
Brittany Hebert, Broussard Middle, Lafayette Parish
Bianca King, Lake Charles Charter Academy, Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation
Erin Cosse, Belle Chasse Elementary, Plaquemines Parish
Toni Rodgers, Red River High, Red River Parish
Kelli White, Mangham High, Richland Parish
Lois Carnline, Many Junior High, Sabine Parish
Caroline Miller, Joseph J. Davies Elementary, St. Bernard Parish
Ali Angelle, Teche Elementary, St. Martin Parish
Whitney Myers, North Vermilion High, Vermilion Parish
Delanea Buffalo, West Feliciana High, West Feliciana Parish
Regena Beard, Copper Mill Elementary, Zachary Community School District
Principal of the Year Semifinalists
Dr. Corey Crochet, Assumption High, Assumption Parish
Jennifer Burris, Benton Intermediate School, Bossier Parish
Nicolas Cunningham, North Caddo Elementary Middle, Caddo Parish
Denise Whitley, S.P. Arnett Middle, Calcasieu Parish
Dr. Alexandria Feaster, Homer High, Claiborne Parish
Anesha Ross, Mansfield High, DeSoto Parish
Kyle Fontenette, Mayfair Laboratory School, East Baton Rouge Parish
Kimberly Glascock, East Feliciana STEAM Academy, East Feliciana Parish
Michael Young, Baskin School, Franklin Parish
Jodi Romero, Delcambre Elementary, Iberia Parish
Lisa Boudreaux, Raceland Upper Elementary, Lafourche Parish
Christopher Jones, Choudrant High, Lincoln Parish
Justin Wax, Denham Springs Junior High, Livingston Parish
Armetrice Williams, M. R. Weaver Elementary, Natchitoches Parish
Rusty Farrar, West Ouachita High, Ouachita Parish
Pamela Walker, Lessie Moore Elementary, Rapides Parish
Rebecca Matherne, New Sarpy Elementary, St. Charles Parish
Hollie Folse, Paulina Elementary, St. James Parish
Brandon Singleton, Grand Coteau Elementary, St. Landry Parish
Christian Monson, Mandeville High, St. Tammany Parish
Dr. Anna Faye Caminita, Ponchatoula High, Tangipahoa Parish
Tonia Cook, Acadian Elementary, Terrebonne Parish
Lisa Haymon, Leesville High, Vernon Parish
Walt Lemoine, Brusly High, West Baton Rouge Parish
Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year
The LDOE, in collaboration with Dream Teachers, recognizes exemplary early childhood educators and leaders. These awards honor teachers and directors (leaders) in Type III Centers, CCAP Certified Family Child Care Sites, Head Start Centers, and Early Head Start Centers.
Early Childhood Teacher of the Year Finalists
Ana Qassem, Belle Chasse Primary (Head Start), Plaquemines Parish
Brooklynn Johnson, Kinder Head Start, Allen Parish
Demika Gilmore, LSU Early Childhood Education Lab Preschool, East Baton Rouge Parish
Shannon Morgan, Carousel Preschool, Jefferson Parish
Sharekia Winn, Red River Head Start, Red River Parish
Early Childhood Leader of the Year Finalists
Delishia Wilson, Building Blocks Early Learning Center, Tangipahoa Parish
Devonda Warren, Explore and Learn Early Learning Center, Tangipahoa Parish
Jennifer Stevenson, The Garden of Knowledge, Washington Parish
Shannon Johns, Cenla Christian Childcare Centers: Pineville, Kolin, AEX, Libuse, Winnfield, Woodworth, Rapides Parish
Dr. Sondra Washington, Chief Cornerstone Daycare Center, Iberville Parish
Louisiana New Teacher of the Year
The Louisiana New Teacher of the Year program, launched in partnership with Dream Teachers, highlights the remarkable contributions of first-year classroom teachers. This award celebrates new educators who are already demonstrating outstanding instructional skills and a commitment to student achievement.
New Teacher of the Year Finalists
Elementary
Savannah Richards, Vidalia Lower Elementary, Concordia Parish
Alaina LeBlanc, Bayou Blue Upper Elementary, Lafourche Parish
Kalyn Metcalfe, Bains Elementary, West Feliciana Parish
Middle
Michael Shelton, Rusheon Middle, Bossier Parish
Colin Hyatt, F.K. White Middle, Calcasieu Parish
Leah Maldonado, East Ouachita Middle, Ouachita Parish
High
Olivia Francois, Dutchtown High, Ascension Parish
Anna Jackson, North DeSoto High, DeSoto Parish
Jacob Church, West Feliciana High, West Feliciana Parish
Finalists for Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year will be announced in May. Overall honorees will be announced for all teacher, principal, and leader awards in July at the 19th Annual Cecil. J. Picard Educator Excellence Gala.