Ouachita Parish Schools joined with community members and business leaders to celebrate the accomplishments of more than 70 school system employees during the annual Adopt-A-School Employees of Distinction Banquet. Honorees from each school were recognized, and announcements made for 2017-18 Ouachita Parish Teachers of the Year, Support Employees of the Year, and Principals of the Year at Elementary, Middle School, and High School levels.
2017-18 Finalists:
Teachers of the Year
Pictured with Superintendent Don Coker
Theresa Ross, Sterlington Elementary
Jared Peters, Good Hope Middle
Amber Coleman, Ouachita Parish High
Support Employees of the Year
Kathy Ramsey, George Welch Elementary
Melinda Weems, Woodlawn Junior High
Joanna Cox, West Monroe High
Principals of the Year
Lisa Vige, Lenwil Elementary
Jennifer Nichols, West Ridge Middle
Shelby Ainsworth, West Monroe High
The Employees of Distinction program is coordinated by the West Monroe - West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce Adopt-A-School Committee. Area business and community leaders generously donate time and sponsorship funding to make the event memorable for the honorees. The 2017-18 banquet was sponsored by the following generous donors:
Reginald & Maggie Fontana
Ouachita Independent Bank
TBA Studio Architecture, APC
Albritton Photography
American Medical Response
Bayou Bowl
Centric Federal Credit Union
Macaroni Kid
Ouachita Valley Federal Credit Union
Pilot Club of the Twin Cities
Progressive Bank
Standard Wireless Group
State Representative Frank Hoffmann
State Representative Jay Morris
State Senator Mike Walsworth
The Wellness Center
Thomas W. Hatten, Architect
ValuTeachers
Attendees to the banquet were treated to jazz music by West Ouachita High School band members under the direction of teacher, Cliff Liner. West Monroe High School ProStart program students were in attendance to serve the meal for the evening, under the direction of their instructor, Mrs. Trish Thompson. Color Guard services were provided by West Monroe High School Air Force Junior ROTC students, under the leadership of Colonel Brian Buck.
Congratulations to all of the honorees who were chosen to represent their schools in the competition program. Ouachita Parish Schools are blessed to have excellent faculty and staff throughout the district. Finalists chosen for Teacher and Principal of the Year may continue on to compete in the Louisiana Department of Education Awards Program for their respective categories.
2017-18 Employees of Distinction
SCHOOL
|
TEACHER
OF
THE YEAR
|
EMPLOYEE
OF
THE YEAR
|
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Boley Elementary
|
Debbie Bryan
|
Cindy Rayborn
|
|
Calhoun Elementary
|
Melinda Clingen
|
Sharon Ardizzone
|
|
Calhoun Middle
|
Lauren Howe
|
Mark Pike
|
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Central Elementary
|
Stephanie McNair
|
Shirley Brandao
|
|
Claiborne Elementary
|
Jessica Robbins
|
Megan Kyle
|
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Crosley Elementary
|
Leigh Ann Helams
|
Chanda Montague
|
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Drew Elementary
|
Terie King
|
John Frost, III
|
|
East Ouachita Middle
|
Sarah Colvin
|
Leslie Nelson
|
|
George Welch Elementary
|
Nicole Waldrop
|
Kathy Ramsey
|
|
Good Hope Middle
|
Jared Peters
|
Danielle Benson
|
|
Highland Elementary
|
Donna Hatten
|
Tamie Roberts
|
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Jack Hayes Elementary
|
Tracie Bryant
|
Tommy Parsons
|
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Kiroli Elementary
|
Laurie Graves
|
Christi Wiggins
|
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Lakeshore Elementary
|
Raleigh Rogers
|
Leah Shows
|
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Lenwil Elementary
|
Chasity Works
|
Tamara Usery
|
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Ouachita Junior High
|
Amy Willis
|
Nelwyn Fontana
|
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Ouachita Parish Alternative
|
Cynthia Hardin
|
Vera Lewis
|
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Ouachita Parish High
|
Amber Coleman
|
Debbie O’Neal
|
|
Pinecrest Elementary
|
Crystal Clampit
|
Sandra Davis
|
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Richwood High
|
Cynthia Franklin
|
Rochele Walker
|
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Richwood Middle
|
Angela Gholston
|
Charles Williams, Jr.
|
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Riser Elementary
|
Jessica McKinley
|
Candy Taverne
|
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Riser Middle
|
Erica Foust
|
Pamela Walton
|
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Riverbend Elementary
|
Misty Holyfield
|
Charles Carter
|
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Robinson Elementary
|
Glenn Kline
|
Naomi Sellers
|
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Shady Grove Elementary
|
Tracy Cargile
|
Mattie Smith
|
|
Sterlington Elementary
|
Theresa Ross
|
Anitra McCall
|
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Sterlington High
|
Bucky Chandler
|
Keith Knight
|
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Sterlington Middle
|
Robbie Evans
|
Brandy Hancock
|
|
Swartz Lower Elementary
|
Lacie Carter
|
Erica Christianson
|
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Swartz Upper Elementary
|
Carine Dixon
|
Deanna Mulhearn
|
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Swayze Elementary
|
Jennifer White
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Daphne Hamilton
|
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West Monroe High
|
Brian Buck
|
Joanna Cox
|
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West Ouachita High
|
Bonnie Baxter
|
Kristine Bricker
|
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West Ridge Middle
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Jennifer McCorkle
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Samuel Wyatt, Jr.
|
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Woodlawn Elementary
|
Brittany Ellis
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Rhonda Blakely
|
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Woodlawn Junior High
|
David DeMoss
|
Melinda Weems
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