Coteau-Bayou Blue teacher named state’s top elementary educator

A 24-year-old Houma educator recently received the most prestigious honor in her two-year career last week: she was named Louisiana’s 2008 Elementary School Teacher of the Year.

Kim Marie Hebert, a fifth grade science teacher at Coteau-Bayou Blue Elementary School, has been teaching in the Terrebonne Parish School District since graduating from Louisiana State University in 2005. In late June, she received the news that she was one of eight finalists vying for the Elementary School Teacher of the Year Award.

“I certainly didn’t expect it,” she said about her recent honor.

Humbly, she attributes her success as a teacher to the community.

“I feel that the community is in tune with the education of today’s youth. This community has not left me in need or want of anything, whether it was coming to the class for a presentation or helping to buy supplies for my classroom,” she said. “I even have members of the community tutor several of my students individually.”

The second-year teacher also gets a lot of support from the faculty and staff at Coteau-Bayou Blue.

“The faculty and staff have been very instrumental in helping me define who I am as a teacher these past two years,” she explained.

Even as a little girl, Hebert knew she wanted to teach. She thought it was the best way she could give back to the community. However, that plan was almost derailed when she began considering attending law school at Louisiana State University.

Fortunately for the education world, Hebert turned back to her original dream to become a teacher.

“My family places a strong emphasis on education. My parents wanted me and my sister to strive for the best in the classroom and in our careers,” she said.

In the classroom, Hebert’s philosophy is simple: “Always keep it different.” She said every child learns differently so teachers have to design lessons around them.

“I try to teach stuff in 50 to 60 different ways just to keep the children focused and motivated, because I feel that the only way I can be effective is to keep their attention,” she said.

Considering teachers do not rely solely on textbooks like they used to, Hebert said it can be a challenge to come up with new ways to communicate.

“We are sort of in the same boat. I am developing my skills as a teacher and they are developing their skills as a student,” she said. “The students are coming into their own and they are dealing with more pressure from their peers.”

“Right now, I feel that the biggest way to communicate with my students is to show them respect,” Hebert added.

Another is to get the parents involved. “A lot of the time, parents don’t realize just going over homework with a child at night can be critical in their child’s learning experience,” Hebert said.

With the new school year fast approaching, Hebert is in the process of designing her lesson plans for next year, adding assignments and drills.

“Preparation is never ending. Every time I teach something, I try to think of a new way to bring it to my students. In my lesson plans, I make notations in the margin as to what I can change in the lesson for the next time,” she explained.

Hebert intends to enjoy this year as state Elementary Teacher of the Year, but doesn’t intend to make it her main focal point. Instead, educating her students to the fullest of her ability remains her main goal this school year.

In addition to bragging rights, Hebert and her school will received year’s supply of Coca-Cola and Community Coffee, a computerized white board and gift certificates.