The Louisiana Department of Education recognizes that great teachers and school leaders are critical to student success. Annually, the Department honors the state’s most exceptional educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs. These programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge educators who are achieving excellence.
An exemplary candidate for Teacher of the Year is one who:
- Demonstrates excellence and expertise in the field, guiding students (and for principals, also teachers) of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve success.
- Demonstrates leadership and innovation in and outside the school building walls and helps students/education stakeholders be successful.
- Builds collaborative relationships with colleagues, students and families to create a school culture that is respectful, inclusive and positively impacts student growth and learning.
- Deliberately connects the classroom/school to the community to positively impact the students, school and community.
- Is inspiring, compelling, professional and expresses themselves in an engaging and clear way, and has the ability to connect with and represent the state.