Early Childhood Teacher and Leader
The selection process begins with open nominations, allowing anyone to recognize and submit their favorite early childhood teacher or leader through the nomination portal. Eligible nominees include teachers and leaders who work with children from birth to five in Type III child care centers. Once nominations close, each nominee receives an email with the candidate application. Nominees are given seven days to complete and submit their application. The ECTLOY committee then reviews all applications and selects the nominees who demonstrate the strongest qualifications to be honored as the district’s Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year. These individuals are then forwarded to the Louisiana Department of Education to compete with other district-level winners from across the state for the overall Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year Award.
School Health Service Provider
The selection process begins with open nominations, allowing anyone to recognize and submit their favorite provider through the nomination portal. Eligible nominees include school-based occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, nurses, and licensed behavioral health providers (LCSW/LMSW, LPC, and psychologists). Once nominations close, each nominee receives an email with the candidate application and scoring rubric. Nominees are given three days to complete and submit their application. The SHSP Committee then reviews and scores all submissions. The three highest-scoring candidates are invited to interview with the committee. Following the interviews, the committee selects the nominee who demonstrates the strongest qualifications and presence to be honored as the district’s School Health Service Provider of the Year. This individual is then forwarded to the Louisiana Department of Education to compete with other district-level winners from across the state for the overall Louisiana School Health Service Provider of the Year Award.
Teacher of the Year
The selection process begins with open nominations, allowing anyone to recognize and submit their favorite teacher through the nomination portal. Each school selects a teacher as Teacher of the Year. These school-level Teachers of the Year then submit an application and participate in an interview for the district-level Teacher of the Year award. Both the application and the interview are reviewed and scored. The teachers with the highest combined scores are named the Plaquemines Parish Teacher of the Year in their respective divisions. Up to three district-level Teachers of the Year are recognized: elementary (Pre-K through 5th grade), middle (6th through 8th grade), and high school (9th through 12th grade). These individuals are then forwarded to the Louisiana Department of Education to compete with other district-level winners from across the state for the overall Louisiana Teacher of the Year Award.
Support Person of the Year
The selection process begins with open nominations, allowing anyone to recognize and submit their favorite provider through the nomination portal. Eligible personnel for this category include paraprofessionals, school bus drivers, food service workers, clerical workers, custodians, maintenance personnel, or any other employee who is not required to hold a teacher's certificate as a condition of employment. Each school selects a Support Person of the Year. These school-level Support Persons of the Year then submit an application and the SPOY Committee scores all applications. The committee then selects the nominee who demonstrates the strongest qualifications and presence to be honored as the district’s Support Person of the Year. Up to three district-level Support Persons of the Year are recognized: elementary (Pre-K through 5th grade), middle (6th through 8th grade), and high school (9th through 12th grade). These individuals are then forwarded to the Louisiana Department of Education to compete with other district-level winners from across the state for the overall Louisiana Outstanding School Support Employee of the Year Award.
Principal of the Year
The Principal of the Year award is determined by a set of qualities and factors that demonstrate excellence in educational leadership, school culture, community engagement, and instructional expertise. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to create a positive environment, drive student success, and represent Louisiana educators.
Key qualities and factors
- Leadership and innovation
- Driving growth: Exemplary candidates demonstrate leadership that directly contributes to student and teacher success across all backgrounds and abilities.
- Transforming the profession: They act as leaders who transform the educational profession by creating innovative pathways for students and teachers to excel.
- Embracing innovation: Award-winning principals are innovators and lifelong learners who take the initiative to use creativity to positively impact student learning.
- Collaborative school culture
- Building relationships: Candidates build strong, collaborative relationships with colleagues, students, and families.
- Fostering a positive environment: They create a respectful, welcoming school culture that has a positive impact on student growth and achievement.
- Community engagement
- Connecting with the community: Nominees deliberately connect their school with the community to create a positive impact on students and the wider area.
- Strengthening stakeholders: Strong candidates show evidence of building relationships with parents and community stakeholders to promote student and school success.
- Professional communication and representation
- Inspiring others: The ideal candidate is inspiring, professional, and expresses themselves clearly and engagingly.
- Representing our district: The award recipient must demonstrate the ability to connect with and effectively represent all educators across Plaquemines Parish.
