LAFAYETTE, LA – United Way of Acadiana names finalists for their 2022 Teacher Awards, presented by Love Our Schools. Twelve finalists were selected in the categories of elementary school, middle school, and high school, and a top finalist will be chosen in each category and announced at the event. More than 1,800 educators were nominated by the students, parents, fellow educators, and members of the Lafayette community. The awards event will be hosted at the Heymann Performing Arts Center on March 16 at 6:30 PM.
“We are honored to host this annual event for the second year, continuing a tradition of celebrating teachers in our community which was started 23 years ago by the Lafayette Education Foundation” said, Carlee Alm-LaBar, President/CEO of United Way of Acadiana. “Education is a priority for United Way of Acadiana and we hope that through our work, and through the work of our local educators, that we continue to focus on the challenges faced and take time to celebrate our wins.”
In November of 2021, United Way of Acadiana announced the finalization of the merger agreement with the Lafayette Education Foundation (LEF), who pioneered the Teacher Awards for more than 20 years. As part of the agreement, United Way of Acadiana will assume the responsibilities of the LEF endowment, investing the earnings in educational programming for the benefit of Lafayette Parish students. The spending of funds will be recommended by an advisory committee made up of five former LEF board members for at least five years.
“The 2022 Teacher Awards provides the platform for us to celebrate leadership and talent in education,” said Ryan Domengeaux with Love Our Schools. “We are in a critical time as we work to restructure our education system after a major pandemic and our educators need to know that the community is supporting them every step of the way.”
Tickets for the event will go on sale at the Heymann Center Box Office late next week. For more information about the 2022 Teacher Awards visit www.unitedwayofacadiana.org/teacherawards.
Elementary School Finalists
Iveth Belaire, Carencro Heights Elementary School
Jodie Landry, Ernest Gallet Elementary School
Karen Davis, Alice Boucher Elementary School
Morgan Mercado, Woodvale Elementary School
Middle School Finalists
Charity Turpeau, Acadian Middle School
Kristi Graham, Acadiana Renaissance Charter Academy
Lerri Cockrell, David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy
Mariah Miller, L. J. Alleman Middle School
High School Finalists
Anne Davidson-Lasseigne, Southside High School
Bobbi Porter, Northside High School
Megan Broussard, St. Thomas More Catholic High School
Scotty Walker, Lafayette High School
During the ceremony, several other educators will be recognized for their roles in education in our community. The Lafayette Parish School System’s Teachers of the Year will be acknowledged. In addition, three teachers who serve as mentor teachers for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette College of Education will be honored. These teachers will be recognized for their contributions to children in our community as well as their work to elevate the education profession. Those individuals are:
LPSS Teachers of the Year
Nick Richert
Heather Gregory
Stacy Stutes
Mentor Teachers of Excellence
Kara Rutherford
Ellen Louviere
Catherine Hartweck
Several community partners and companies have stepped forward to help make the event possible. These sponsors are included below:
Presenting Sponsor: Love Our Schools
Academic Patrons: AOC Community Media
Scholar Circle: Acadian Companies, Lafayette Coca Cola Bottling Co., COX, Dwight Andrus Insurance, MacLaff Inc., Meritus Credit Union, Rader Solutions, Right Angle, and Summit Financial Wealth Advisors
Education Champions: A Generous Local Family, CGI Inc., Standard Title, Unitech Training Academy
Photo Prize Sponsor: Assurance Financial - Lafayette
