Disclosure :: A very special thank you to the sponsors that have made this giveaway possible and to our loyal readers, especially Ancient Lore Village.
We are excited to announce that the winner of our 2026 Lafayette Mom Teacher of the Year is ::
Lauren Hatley — Woodvale Elementary, LPSS
{Nominated by :: Meredith Hatley} My mom doesn’t just teach second grade, she runs a classroom of big ideas. Teaching gifted second graders is like teaching high-energy hyenas who all have a 100 why questions every day. She deserves to be Teacher of the Year because she doesn’t just give them the answers, mom teaches them how to find them. At our house, the dining table always is covered with painting kits, logic puzzles, and stacks of books about black holes, colonial times, and Australia’s most deadly predators. I’ve seen her stay up late researching random topics like bioluminescent jellyfish just because one of her students asked about it that day.
She’s the teacher who understands that being gifted sometimes means having big brains but even bigger feelings. She’s the one who keeps a calm-down center, which she calls an opportunity desk, filled with brain teasers and fidgets for when the frustration of a hard problem feels too much. She treats her students like they’re her own. In her classroom, it’s okay to be different, quirky or even obsessed with dinosaurs. She taught me and her students that having a fast brain is a gift, but being kind is a choice. She’s building more than just smart kids. She’s building leaders who aren’t afraid to fail. My mom is the heart of her school. She isn’t just following a lesson plan; she’s bringing up inventors and dreamers.
Not only is Lauren Hatley the 2026 Lafayette Mom Teacher of the Year, but she also wins the fabulous prize package giveaway valued at $1,200+ including:
- Step beyond the ordinary and into a storybook escape at Ancient Lore Village, a hidden world tucked into the rolling hills of Knoxville, Tennessee. Here, winding paths, fairy lights, and handcrafted dwellings invite you to slow down, reconnect, and experience something truly unforgettable. This exclusive giveaway offers a two-night stay valued at $775 in one of our enchanting Village Gardens King Dwellings for up to two guests and includes dinner for two and one hour of ace throwing and archery for two. This package is valid for reservations Sunday through Thursday and is not valid on holidays. The experience must be redeemed by December 31st, 2026. Whether you are celebrating something special or simply craving a midweek escape, this is your invitation to trade the everyday for something extraordinary at Ancient Lore Village. {Valued at $775}
- One free week of Kidcam Camp, including registration fee. {Valued at $250}
- A petite Amanda Cuff from Mimosa {Valued at $75}
- A parents night out up to two children from Hangtime TNT {Valued at $60}
- Colorful bundle of Louisiana themed artwork by muralist & illustrator Hannah Gumbo. Includes: art prints, cards, & stickers {Valued at $75}
The fine print (please read in full before entering) :: Per the IRS guidelines, the winner will receive a Form 1099 from Lafayette Mom for tax purposes since the value of the giveaway package exceeds a value of $600.
