The Natchitoches Parish School Board presented its 2017 Teachers of the Year, Support Staff of the Year and Principal of the Year with certificates recognizing their contributions to the schools and their leadership for the students in the parish.
Elementary Teachers of the Year included:
Claudine Madison – Parks
Vanessa Birdwell – Provencal
Amy Stepp – Marthaville
Rhonda Allen – Cloutierville
Kathy Holman – East Natchitoches
Theresa McLaren – Fairview Alpha
Bobbye Akin – Magnet
Kelly Norman – LP Vaughn
Veronica Johnson – E-Lab
Cristy Gentry – Weaver
Emella Walker – Goldonna
Veronica Johnson was chosen to represent the Natchitoches School District and was a Teacher of the Year Semi-Finalist.
Jr. High Teachers of the Year included:
Deanna Elkins – Provencal
Mary Anderson – Lakeview
Carol Steward – Cloutierville
Addoree Stuckey – NJH
Rebecca Roy – Magnet
Gwendolyn Foy – Frankie Ray Jackson Technical Center
Robein Abels – Goldonna
Addoree Stuckey was chosen to represent the Natchitoches School District.
High School Teachers of the Year included:
Lesa Thompson – NCHS
Rosalind Lowe – Lakeview
Lesa Thompson was chosen to represent the Natchitoches School District.
Support Staff Members included Lisa Dupree, Mack Hayes, Trichel Sykes-Scott, Lawanda Dumars, Barbara Stewart, Ethel “Pearl” Forest and Amy Clark.
Barbara Stewart was chosen to represent the Natchitoches School District.
Stephonie French was selected as a Semi-Finalist for Principal of the Year. Under her leadership Natchitoches Magnet School’s performance score has improved to a 125, the 2025 definition of a “Mastery School.” Last year’s school rankings showed that Magnet is number 12 for elementary schools and number 2 in the state for middle schools.
In her tenure the school has added a National Junior Honor Society and this year, a National Elementary Honor Society. Last year two 7th grade students received national recognition from the Duke TIP Program for their outstanding ACT scores of 26 and 27. The school has also implemented student-led parent teacher conferences.