(NEW ORLEANS, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) celebrated some of the state’s most outstanding teachers and leaders at the 18th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala. Produced in partnership with Dream Teachers, this event was highlighted by the announcement of the Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year, Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year, and Louisiana New Teacher of the Year.
2025 Overall State Honorees:
- Louisiana Teacher of the Year: Elise Boutin | Acadia Parish
- Louisiana Principal of the Year: Dr. Amanda Austin | Iberville Parish
- Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Nicole Williams Ross | Jefferson Parish
- Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year: Rockeisha Walker | Iberville Parish
- Louisiana New Teacher of the Year: Tiffany Pfeifer | Calcasieu Parish
“It’s a privilege to celebrate some of the outstanding professionals who have dedicated their careers to improving our state one child at a time,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “Each of these talented educators have played a role in Louisiana’s recent successes, and are critical to the vital work that lies ahead.”
Louisiana Teacher of the Year
Elise Boutin is the overall Louisiana Teacher of the Year. A 14-year veteran teacher, Boutin is a publications and senior English teacher at Rayne High School in Acadia Parish. She revived the Rayne, Alive! Program, a student-produced YouTube channel, which has connected students with local broadcasting opportunities in their area. Boutin started a senior project fair for students to feature their capstone projects in the areas of academics, career, and community service to connect them with business owners. She also connects high school students to community activities through sponsoring the interact club, which works in conjunction with the Rayne Rotary Club and she recently started a cross country team at the school.
The following educators were named division-level Louisiana Teacher of the Year
- Elementary: J. Joy Stalnaker | Lafayette Parish Schools
- Middle: Christopher Kourvelas | Bossier Parish Schools
- High: Dr. Suresh Babu Chiruguru | Calcasieu Parish Schools
Louisiana Principal of the Year
Dr. Amanda Austin is the overall Louisiana Principal of the Year. Austin is the Director of the Iberville Math, Science, and Arts (MSA) Academy East in St. Gabriel. She received a Doctor of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Lamar University. She was selected as principal to reopen North Iberville High School (NIHS) after the school had been shuttered for over a decade and created a thriving school with a STEM magnet program.
The following educators were named division-level Louisiana Principal of the Year
- Elementary: Amanda LaFollette | DeSoto Parish Schools
- Middle: Dr. Decina Rodriguez | Lafourche Parish Schools
- High: Brandon LaGroue | Central Community School District
Louisiana Early Childhood Teachers of the Year
Nicole Williams Ross is the overall Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher of the Year. Williams teaches at Carousel Preschool in Jefferson Parish. Williams Ross has more than 10 years of experience working and serving children and families in Louisiana.
Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year
Rockeisha Walker is the overall Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year. Walker leads Bright Star Child Care Center in Iberville Parish. Walker has over 10 years of experience leading Early Learning centers in Louisiana.
Louisiana New Teacher of the Year
Tiffany Pfeifer is the overall Louisiana New Teacher of the Year. Pfeifer teaches at Washington Marion High School in Calcasieu Parish. Pfeifer is committed to fostering a true love of learning in her students.
The 18th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Awards Gala was held at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. During the event, the Department announced the 2025 State Elementary, Middle, and High School Teacher and Principal of the Year honorees, the 2025 New Teacher of the Year, the 2025 Early Childhood Leader and Teacher of the Year.
In addition, the New Teacher of the Year Finalists, Early Childhood Teacher and Leader Finalists, Milken Educator Award recipients, Louisiana’s Public Interest Fellowship recipients and the Teacher and Principal of the Year Semifinalists and Finalists were honored.