BATON ROUGE, La. (KLFY) — The Louisiana Department of Education has announced its 2024 Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists and New Teacher of the Year finalists, and Acadiana is well represented in all three short lists.
Local Teacher of the Year semifinalists are: Timothy Comeaux of Chataignier Elementary School in Evangeline Parish, Aerial Storer of Fenton Elementary School in Jefferson Davis Parish and Chasity Toups of Patterson High School in St. Mary Parish.
Local Principal of the Year semifinalists are: Tia Trahan of Lafayette Middle School in Lafayette Parish, Mitchell Fontenot of Eunice High School in St. Landry Parish, Wanda Phillips of Parks Middle School in St. Martin Parish and Sonya Louviere of Rene Rost Middle School in Vermilion Parish.
Rebecca Spears of Northeast Elementary School in St. Landry Parish was named as one of three finalists as New Teacher of the Year in the Elementary category.
The 57 nominated teachers and principals represent schools and systems across the state.
“Schools across Louisiana are beginning to make significant gains thanks to the commitment of our teachers and principals to remain focused on what matters most – improving academic outcomes,” said State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. “Congratulations to Louisiana’s Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists and our New Teacher of the Year finalists. They represent the many dedicated professionals leading our Louisiana Comeback.”
All Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists and New Teacher of the Year finalists will be honored at the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, which will be held at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans on July 22.
The full list of Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists is available below:
Louisiana Teacher of the Year Semifinalists
- Ascension Parish: Kelly Landry
- Avoyelles Parish: Dannon Dauzat
- Bossier Parish: Cory Craig
- Bricolage Academy: Ronnika Allen
- Caddo Parish: Janet McCrevan
- City of Monroe School District: Kody Chase
- East Baton Rouge Parish: Kylie Altier
- Evangeline Parish: Timothy Comeaux
- Franklin Parish: Jessica Parker
- Grant Parish: Erin Melton
- Iberia Parish: Bernadette Fruge
- Iberville Parish: Devante Williams
- Jefferson Davis Parish: Aerial Storer
- Lake Charles Charter Academy: Kayla Hebert
- Natchitoches Parish: Michelle Shirley
- Ouachita Parish: Brittany Ellis
- St. John the Baptist Parish: Tariane Placide
- St. Mary Parish: Chasity Toups
- St. Tammany Parish: Kellee McClain
- Tangipahoa Parish: Dennis Pevey
- Vernon Parish: Christopher Deon
- Warren Easton Charter: Ryan Gilbert
- The Willow School: Richard Martin
- Zachary Community School District: Sandra Saye-Foucqueteau
Louisiana Principal of the Year Semifinalists
- Allen Parish: Jennifer Doucet
- Ascension Parish: Marvin Evans
- Beauregard Parish: Mark Weldon
- Bienville Parish: Scott Canady
- Bossier Parish: Michael Pedrotty
- Calcasieu Parish: Jose Cobian
- Cameron Parish: Lindsey Fontenot
- DeSoto Parish : Barry Carter
- Jefferson Parish: Monya Criddle
- Lafayette Parish: Tia Trahan
- Lafourche Parish: Ragan Lorraine
- Lincoln Parish: Jennifer Martin
- Lincoln Preparatory School: Gordan Ford
- Livingston Parish: Jason St. Pierre
- Plaquemines Parish: John H. Vanison, Jr.
- Rapides Parish: Tracy Vorrice
- St. Charles Parish: Shannon Diodene
- St. James Parish: Angie Poche
- St. Landry Parish: Mitchell Fontenot
- St. Martin Parish: Wanda Phillips
- Terrebonne Parish: Blaise Pellegrin
- Vermilion Parish: Sonya Louviere
- West Baton Rouge Parish: Taya Loupe
- West Feliciana Parish: Karolyn Taylor
Louisiana New Teacher of the Year Finalists
Elementary:
- Bossier Parish: Camille Cole
- Livingston Parish: Payton Onellion
- St. Landry Parish: Rebecca Spears
Middle:
- Livingston Parish: Phoenix LeBlanc
- Plaquemines Parish: Emily Barker
- Zachary Community School District: Tristan George
High:
- Bossier Parish: Brad Winstead
- Calcasieu Parish: Spencer Butts
- West Baton Rouge Parish: Anthony Felder
