Local WWII vets visit NO museum
November 6, 2013
Laf. NAACP pushes education for equality
November 6, 2013
For Peggy Marcel, nothing is better than giving back to her elementary school alma mater.
“I attended Schriever Elementary for first through seventh grade,” said Marcel, Terrebonne Parish 2013-14 Elementary School Principal of the Year. “It’s great to receive this honor knowing that I was once a student here.”
Marcel was one of three parish principals honored at the recent meeting of the Terrebonne Parish School Board. She served as principal at the school for more than five years before accepting the job of supervisor of federal programs with the school district’s main office.
This is the second time Marcel received the award while she was principal at Schriever Elementary.
“It was an honor to get the award the first time, and it is wonderful to be recognized twice,” she said. “It confirms that I am doing my job to make sure parents and teachers are working to get students where they need to go.”
While principal at the school, Marcel strived to be an effective leader and help students and teachers grow.
“I am very organized and would front load lots of information so that others don’t get blindsided,” Marcel said. “I wanted teachers and staff to know what we were all going to do and how we were going to get there – with teamwork.
“I had an amazing staff at Schriever, and I made a commitment 30 years ago to impact students at every stage of their education.
“It is outstanding to see the district grow in such great directions.”
Graham Douglas, former Terrebonne High School principal, also received the High School Principal of the Year award for the second time in his career.
Like Marcel, Douglas has joined the staff of the school district’s central office. He now serves as supervisor of secondary education, career and technical education, adult education and driver’s education.
“There are lots of deserving principals in the parish,” Douglas said. “I am delighted at the selection, to be recognized by my peers and the district for outstanding work.
“Lots of principals have the same work ethic and goals. I had a good team and the continuous support of the faculty, staff and students.
“It’s great to work with others who have the same goals as you. Even though it was an individual award, everyone was involved.”
In his decade as principal at Terrebonne High, Douglas said preparing students for the post-graduate world was the most rewarding part of his job.
“I liked interacting with the students and impacting their lives,” he said. “We created an environment that is conducive to learning and made sure students are ready for a career after high school.”
Fellow Principal of the Year recipient Kim Vauclin, who served as principal of Montegut Middle School for seven years, also joined the district’s main office staff as supervisor of child welfare and attendance.
“I was surprised,” Vauclin said. “We have some pretty fine administrators in Terrebonne Parish. We all work hard and close together. It’s a shame everyone can’t get the award because they all work as hard as each other.”
This was Vauclin’s first time to win the award, and she credited her students and the community for helping her land the award.
“Montegut Middle School is a great place to be,” she said. “The students there are very loving, caring students who want to be educated. It was a blessing and a pleasure to work there.
“I put the kids first and focused on educating and keeping students out of trouble. I respected the students and get along with everyone.”
Like the principals of the year, the parish’s teachers of the year are also committed to seeing their students succeed.
“You teach because you love it and give back to the community and students,” said Jessica Martin, Middle School Teacher of the Year. “Every day is a new experience. Teaching is something you can’t master. Every year there are new ideas, new students. Because students are unique, your days are unique.
“Your students build you up and give you all their support. It’s great to watch them grow into the person they want to be.”
Martin has taught at Caldwell Middle School for six years, and it is her first time to receive the year award. Martin works to make sure her students are comfortable in her classroom.
“I use my ability to laugh at myself to bring that happiness into my classroom, where students can be themselves,” she said. “Although I received the award, it is a true reflection of the teachers and leaders I work with. I work with a bunch of great people. It’s a tough job and you need that support.”
High School Teacher of the Year Leah Gaudet has taught at Ellender Memorial High School for 16 years, and it is also her first time to win a Terrebonne Parish Teacher of the Award.
“I like seeing my kids excel,” she said. “When they learn and I know they get it, it gives me a high.”
Gaudet engages her students with hands on projects, in addition to traditional note taking.
“We have fun and learn at the same time,” she said. “My kids respect me. They know that I care and that makes a world of difference. When you have discipline, teaching is the easy part.”
Jenny Trahan, a teacher at Oakshire Elementary, was named the Elementary Teacher of the Year and was also a state finalist.
“It is always an honor to recognize outstanding educators,” said Philip Martin, Terrebonne Parish School District superintendent. “We have some great educators and administrators in this parish.”
Peggy Marcel, Kim Vauclin and Graham Douglas, formerly of Schriever Elementary, Montegut Middle and Terrebonne High, respectively, are the 2013-14 Principal of the Year recipients.
