The parish’s annual Teacher of the Year (TOY) program revealed three deserving candidates known as leaders among their peers according to comments made on each of their behalf as they received plaques, checks for $100 and the traditional golden apple inscribed with each teacher’s name and school.
At the parish level, Carley Chaumont, was named Elementary Teacher of the Year, Lorie Miller, Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Chiara Crawford, High School Teacher of the Year.
“Dynamic, electric, spirited, motivated, amplified and charged. No, we aren’t talking about a Friday night football game. We are talking about an indispensable teammate that is the KES teacher of the year. Our friend, co-worker, and all-around cheerleader is the one and only Carley Chaumont,” wrote her colleagues, Maria Frazier, Whitney Bushnell, Kalli Maggio and Katy Fontenot. “Her willingness to give of herself isn’t limited to school. She is an active member of the Kinder community and the St. Philip Neri Church parish. She never misses an opportunity to participate in the alumni tournament or other events where she can bring people together. We are constantly amazed at her tech savvy abilities, her dancing prowess and craft skills! There isn’t much that this girl cannot do.”
A teacher for eight years, Chaumont currently teaches four grade science at KES.Her principal, Jennifer Doucet, wrote, “I’ve watched Carley’s growth from her first interview at KES to where she is today – and that growth has been phenomenal! She’s developed into such a natural leader of whatever team she’s a part of. She has furthered her education, earning a master’s degree in educational leadership, all while thriving in her role as teacher, wife, and mom.”
Miller taught in the classroom for 13 years before being named assistant principal at Oakdale High for this school year, 2021-2022. Her colleagues believe she “is the epitome of an excellent educator. She has never failed to provide high quality educational experiences for her students, top notch support to colleagues as a mentor teacher and loyalty to the administration. Lorie is famous for “making it work”. Her fierce love for education shines in all that she does.”
Pam Johnson, Miller’s principal, said Miller was a fifth grade science teacher for seven years. “She was one of our most dedicated team members, who was always willing to go beyond the call of duty in any capacity. In addition to being an outstanding teacher, she was a team leader who motivated her team to take on new learning, which greatly impacted student achievement. Lorie was held in very high esteem among her peers. It was our pleasure to work with her professionally. She was truly an asset at Oakdale Middle School.”
Crawford’s principal, Liz Chatelain says, “Crawford is very deserving of this honor. She is a hard worker. Her planning and preparation goes above and beyond what is expected of her. She has gained super star status, along with her slithery friend, Norbit. Biology class at Oakdale High School is a time of discovery and exploration. This school year Mrs. Crawford’s class performed autopsies on a few unfortunate bananas. Students applied knowledge of anatomical directional terms and body cavities in order to discover and describe the cause of death for their bananas. This was also a fun way for the students to become familiar with common dissection equipment before they are required to dissect an actual specimen. Mrs. Crawford has a special way of making biology an absolute adventure! She is truly an asset to the teaching profession.”
Crawford is presently teaching 10th grade Biology and 12th grade Biology II at Oakdale High School. Her colleagues believe they are fortunate to have her on staff, especially since she is an alumni of Oakdale High. “Mrs. Crawford is a dedicated and conscientious teacher, and her work ethic is unmatched. Her representation of Oakdale High School in the Teacher of the Year program last year made both our school and community proud. Mrs. Crawford is truly an asset to her students, and they benefit greatly from her knowledge and dedication.”
At the school level of the competition, the candidates were Elizabeth High – Dodie Gilley (elementary), Jayme Gormanous (middle) and Christian Harrington (high); Fairview High – Kim Bennett (elementary), Laurie Jordan (middle) and Samantha Abrusely (high); Kinder schools – Carley Chaumont (elementary), Stacy Hayes (middle) and Lacey Arabie (high); Oakdale schools – Trinitey Johnson (elementary), Lorie Miller (middle) and Chiara Crawford (high); Oberlin schools – Loren Mack (elementary), Christine Meaux (middle) and Brandy Wennerstrom (high); and Reeves High – Robin Singletary (elementary), Brandy Cradeur (middle) and Elliot Ford (high).
Other business
In his report to the board, Superintendent Reed said the end of the first nine weeks occurred Tuesday, October 12. Teachers would attend professional development on Wednesday, and students would have a fall break from school today, October 14, and tomorrow, October 15. On Monday, October 18, the second nine-week period would begin. Report cards will be given to students on Wednesday, October 20.
He reviewed the recent state superintendent’s introduction of “parent choice” in reference to students quarantining for close contact situations in regards to Covid. He said after speaking to the board’s legal team, the board would wait until the state’s BESE board meeting before making a decision of whether to accept the policy or not. He said parents should understand the “close contact” guidelines in this policy would refer to close contact in a school setting and not at home.
The board reflected on its October 1, count that deals with federal funding for the district. Enrollment in the parish was down, which means less money. He said 60 to 70 students did choose the home school option this year. He said they were going to try to get their enrollment up.
Jacob Dillehay, parish engineer for Allen Parish Police Jury, discussed the redistricting plan based on the recent Census numbers that indicate there has been a negative or positive change in population count. He said the count is lower. He asked the board to consider using the same demographer and split the costs as done in the past. He said the lowest bid received was $25,900. The jury and board will review the plans and make decisions in the future.
In other business, the board:
•Will hold three meetings on Monday, November 8, at 5 p.m. to call for elections to renew tax levies.
•Declared a surplus on a 2002 Dodge van and 2002 Chevrolet Silverado.
•Agreed to advertise for several positions
•Adopted policy changes in several areas.
•Approved a certificate of substantial completion at Oakdale High School in regards to its electrical service replacement project.