The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District has named its District Principal and Teachers of the Year as Chantell Walker, District Principal of the Year; Kimberly Poullard, District Elementary School Teacher of the Year; Kelley Thompson, District Middle School Teacher of the Year; and Billie Duncan, District High School Teacher of the Year.
Principal of the Year
District Principal of the Year Chantell Walker is in her fourth year as the head administrator at West St. John Elementary School.
She joined the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District in 2008 as a high school and dual enrollment math teacher at West St. John High School, where she served as the math department chairwoman and school counselor. She served as assistant principal at the high school before taking over as principal at West St. John Elementary.
In 2017, Walker was named a semi-finalist for Louisiana Principal of the Year.
“Mrs. Walker has been able to create a culture that is conducive to optimal student achievement while maintaining a caring and nurturing team,” Superintendent Kevin George said. “Her teachers and staff are committed to changing students' lives and that mindset starts and ends with her. We are so proud to recognize Mrs. Walker as our Principal of the Year.”
District Elementary School Teacher of the Year
District Elementary School Teacher of the Year Kimberly Poullard
Poullard has been teaching fifth grade in St. John the Baptist Parish since 2006. Prior to relocating to LaPlace, she taught for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Iwakuni, Japan for three years.
She received her bachelor’s degree from Southern University at New Orleans and her master’s degree from National University of La Jolla, Calif. She is a member of the Louisiana Association of Educators as well as the National Education Association.
“Ms. Poullard is a team player and teaches our scholars like they are her own. She is passionate in her belief that all of her students can learn. She wants them to be prepared for middle school,” John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School Principal Monica Brown said. “Her students’ growth progress data improved from last year and added to our school state recognition as a school of growth. She gives her time before school, during lunch and after school to help our scholars and her colleagues. Often, Ms. Poullard is at school on weekends with me preparing for the upcoming week. In addition, she serves on school committees each year. It is an honor to work with her. She is an asset to our school and scholars.”
District Middle School Teacher of the Year
District Middle School Teacher of the Year Kelley Thompson has been a teacher at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School since 2007.
She worked as a special education teacher for three years before she began teaching sixth- through eighth-grade English and social studies, which she has done for the past nine years. She is currently in her second year as a mentor teacher for LPE. For the past seven years, she has sponsored the LPE Student Council, helping students make yearly donations to organizations that support cancer research and support. She is currently the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) team leader and has been part of that team for the past five years. Thompson also organizes the school level social studies fair. Throughout her time at LPE she has sponsored the dance and cheer teams, 4-H club, have been spelling bee coordinator and grade level chair.
Thompson earned her bachelor’s from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she studied social studies and English education. She also holds a master’s degree in history and has been a part of the Southeastern Louisiana Writing Project and The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights programs.
“Ms. Thompson is an exemplary model of a teacher and leader that is committed to building relationships, making new learning relevant and fun, and providing the necessary rigor required to meet every student's needs,” LPE Principal Shelly Chauvin said. “Her high expectations and friendly demeanor make her truly an amazing teacher.
District High School Teacher of the Year
District High School Teacher of the Year Billie Duncan is a master teacher at East St. John High School with more than 14 years of classroom experience.
She has taught Introduction to Business Computer Application, Business Computer Application, Digital Media, Digital Graphics, STAR I, STAR II, Publications I, Publications II, Retail Marketing and Advertising, Sales and Marketing. She is the sponsor of the Yearbook and Interact clubs. She has been recognized numerous times as Teacher of the Month, Teacher of the Quarter and Technology Teacher Leader.
Duncan belongs to the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators, the Louisiana Association of Educators and the National Education Association. She was chosen as one of 24 educators in the state for the first cohort for the Career and Technical Education Leadership Academy, which focuses on maximizing the potential of career and technical education and is a District Lead Technology Teacher.
Duncan hold a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management and a master’s degree in educational leadership.
“Billie Duncan is an incredible mentor, leader and educator dedicated to lifelong learning for herself, her children and every student and educator she reaches,” East St. John High School Principal Christopher Mayes said. “Her exceptional passion for improving the quality of lives for all children is infectious and inspiring.”