Ouachita Parish School System is pleased to announce the newest Teachers of the Year on the district level for the 2024-25 school year.
The awards were announced at the Employees of Distinction Banquet on Tuesday evening at the West Monroe Convention Center. Each school was represented with its Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year in attendance, along with their administrators and supporters.
In Elementary School, Sylvillis Labbe’, a fifth grade teacher from George Welch Elementary, was named the Ouachita Parish Teacher of the Year. Ms. Labbe’ earned her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Louisiana Tech University. The foundation of her teaching philosophy is Sylvillis’s belief in all students’ capability of learning. In her classroom, she fosters a supportive and inclusive environment for students to reach their full potentials academically and personally. In her free time, Sylvillis enjoys reading, listening to inspirational and educational podcasts, and spending time with family.
She has three adult children – Christopher, Jessica, and Destinee.
Finalists for Elementary Teacher of the Year were Lindsay Spillers (Central Elementary), Jessica Minter (Highland Elementary), Kara Hawkins (Kiroli Elementary) and Rachel Ellington (Swartz Lower Elementary).
Ouachita Junior High teacher Lakeisha Haynes, was named the Ouachita Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year.
Ms. Haynes teaches eighth grade English Language Arts and has been in education for nine years. She earned her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from LSU Shreveport, after earning a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from ULM. In her classroom, Lakeisha utilizes not only her education in psychology, but also her experiences in life to relate to her students and to recognize and address their needs effectively. Preparing them to overcome challenges and embrace success accomplishes her philosophy of being able, willing, and responsible for growing the whole child. In her home life, Lakeisha has a passion for traveling, reading, and savoring life’s precious moments with her 4-year-old daughter Myra.
Finalists for Middle School Teacher of the Year were Josephine Baris (Sterlington Middle) and Melanie Woodall (West Ridge Middle).
On the High School level, Leanna Buckley, a Spanish teacher from Ouachita Parish High School, was named Teacher of the Year for the district.
Mrs. Buckley teaches Spanish to sophomores through seniors at Ouachita High. She earned her Master’s + 30 degree from ULM following a study abroad in Madrid. Having taught for 27 years, Leanna has served on many curriculum committees, and is a Mentor teacher as well as Louisiana Teacher Leader. In her classroom, Leanna’s philosophy centers on getting to know each individual student and empowering them to succeed. She enjoys watching her students walk across the commencement stage and grow into the successful adults they strive to be. Outside of the classroom, Leanna enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family, and watching her beloved Lions play any sport, as well as many other hobbies. She is married to James, and they have one daughter Hannah, who was the 2023-24 Ouachita Parish Student of the Year and a state finalist.
Teachers of the Year were voted on by their peers at the school level. They competed on the district level by completing a portfolio, describing their teaching philosophy and instructional standards. They also went through an interview process before a panel of judges made up of school district and community leaders, as well as last year’s Teacher of the Year on their school level.
AWARD WINNERS:
TEACHERS OF THE YEAR:
Elementary: Sylvillis Labbe’, George Welch Elementary
FINALISTS: Lindsay Spillers (Central Elementary), Jessica Minter (Highland Elementary), Kara Hawkins (Kiroli Elementary), Rachel Ellington (Swartz Lower Elementary)
Middle School: Lakeisha Haynes, Ouachita Junior High
FINALISTS: Josephine Baris (Sterlington),Melanie Woodall (West Ridge)
High School: Leanna Buckley, Ouachita Parish High School
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