We received some amazing nominees for our Lafayette Mom Teacher of the Year campaign … nominated by parents, students, colleagues, neighbors, and friends … all who have made a difference in the lives of students and who motivate and inspire those around them. Selecting the top 10 finalists from all of the nominations proved to be a very difficult task.
A team of objective judges will determine the Lafayette Mom Teacher of the Year from the 10 finalists below, and the winner will be announced on Monday, May 6th!
Top 10 Finalists
Monica Vice – Creative Minds Preschool
{Nominated by: Allison Gregory-Graff, Lori West, & Kayla Daughdril} I am writing to enthusiastically nominate Ms. Monica for the Teacher of the Year award. As a parent, I have witnessed firsthand the incredible impact Ms. Monica has had on my daughter’s preschool journey at Creative Minds.
From the moment my daughter stepped into Ms. Monica’s classroom, it was evident that she created a nurturing and welcoming environment where children feel seen, safe, and loved. My daughter’s love for school has flourished under Ms. Monica’s care, and I wholeheartedly attribute this to the nurturing, caring, and fair environment in Ms. Monica’s classroom.
Ms. Monica embodies the qualities of an exceptional educator. Her love for her students shines through in everything she does. She goes above and beyond to ensure each child feels seen, heard, safe and loved. I can count on Ms. Monica to keep an open line of communication with all of her families. She even attends her students birthday parties and soccer games in her free time!
Ms. Monica is not just a teacher; she is a ray of sunshine in the lives of her students and their families. Her unwavering dedication, genuine love for teaching, and commitment to creating a nurturing learning environment make her truly deserving of the Teacher of the Year award. I am immensely grateful for the positive impact she has had on my daughter’s life, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this honor. <3
Jaime Ibach – St. Genevieve, Diocese of Lafayette
{Nominated by: Kellie Champagne} Jaime is an amazing person whose dedication to both motherhood and teaching exemplifies the qualities of a “Mom Teacher of the Year” nominee. In her role as a mother, Jaime creates a nurturing and supportive environment where her children flourish both academically and emotionally. She understands the importance of instilling a love for learning from a young age. Jaime finds creative ways to make learning fun and engaging for her children.
As a teacher, Jaime’s passion for education is evident. She goes above and beyond to inspire her students, creating lesson plans that are not only educational but also interactive and relevant to their lives. Jaime recognizes that every student learns differently, and she adapts her teaching approach to meet the unique needs of her students. Whether it’s incorporating technology into the classroom, organizing hands-on activities, or facilitating group discussions, Jaime is constantly striving to create a dynamic and stimulating learning environment for her students.
What truly sets Jaime apart is her unwavering commitment to building strong relationships with both students and parents. She understands the importance of open communication and collaboration in fostering a supportive learning community. Jaime takes the time to listen to her students’ concerns, provide encouragement and support, and celebrate their achievements. She also maintains regular communication with parents, keeping them informed about their child’s progress and offering guidance on how they can support their learning at home.
In addition to her dedication to her own students, Jaime is actively involved in her school community. Jaime’s leadership, creativity, and passion for education make her a truly deserving nominee for “Mom Teacher of the Year.” Her impact extends far beyond the classroom, leaving a lasting impression on the lives of her students, their families, and the broader community.
Brittney Blake – Ernest Gallet Elementary
{Nominated by: Heather Sanchez} Mrs Blake is a really good teacher. She makes sure all her kids are getting the help they need when she is teaching the class and if they kids need help she is there to help them. She makes learning fun. My son loves how she has different areas to work at during class. My son loves that he are not just sitting in a seat. They move around in groups working on the lessons they are learning. My son loves her and as his teacher. She is one of the best ones at our school and my family have been happy he got her this year! We love her!
Amy Williams – Youngsville Middle, Lafayette Parish
{Nominated by: Juliette Rice} Amy Williams is not just a band director. Through her years as an educator, she continuously gives of herself whether it be arriving early or staying late for just a few students to get in some practice, allowing students to have their own creative jam session, volunteering to lead committees, showing up to help even if she is not on a committee, volunteers for duty, posts weekly Monday good vibes messages on her Facebook, always has a smile on her face, words of praise for staff, co-teacher, student or custodian, is highly admired and respected by her co-workers and students.
Amy is a member of Lafayette Concert Band with weekly practices and some concerts, plays the flute for weddings, has been an avid runner, works with the children’s theatre.
For years, her students have earned high ratings at band festivals due to her dedication.
You or your child/friend are missing out if you have not had the opportunity to cross Amy’s path in life!!
Victoria Hebert – Cpl. Michael Middlebrook-Lafayette
{Nominated by: Stephanie Vaughn & Laura Caye} Mrs. Hebert is a third grade teacher in her third year of teaching. She is also a new mother. She has done a superior job balancing her work/home life and has not let either fall to the wayside. She goes above and beyond to communicate with families the progress she sees in her students and provides families with suggestions for advancing their individual child. She has built a community of trust in her classroom and families feel comfortable in working side by side with her for the benefit of the kids. She ensures that the needs of all her students are met and works to engage them with the math and science content using ingenious methods.
I’m enthusiastically nominating my daughter’s teacher, Mrs. Hebert, for Lafayette Mom’s Teacher of the Year. Despite navigating through numerous changes at the start of the year, her unwavering kindness has shone brightly. My daughter’s joy in attending her classes and the wealth of knowledge she’s gained speak volumes about the teacher’s dedication. Beyond her kindness and dedication, she celebrates every milestone and achievement, creating a supportive and uplifting environment. Moreover, her exceptional organizational skills keep us all on track, ensuring we’re aware of weekly assignments and goals. Throughout the school year, her open and consistent communication has been a beacon of support. For all these reasons and more, she is truly a deserving candidate for this honor.
Joelle LeBreton – Ridge Elementary – Lafayette Parish
{Nominated by: Kristen Bourg} Joelle is an amazing mom and teacher. I am a new teacher and she has shown me ways to navigate the classroom, whenever I have any questions she will answer them and if she doesn’t have an answer she will find one! I have watched her become a teacher and love and thrive in that position and then I watched her become a mother and thrive in that role. She is a huge role model of mine and I can imagine how wonderful she is to her students.
Katie Geiger – Martial Billeaud / Lafayette
{Nominated by: Monique Chargois} It takes one person to change the trajectory of a child’s life and Mrs. Katie Geiger has changed my son’s life. My son is extremely energetic, very vocal, but is also very anxious. He transferred to Mrs. Geiger’s class after rough start of the school year. She has done an amazing job getting to know my child and all of the little things that makes him special. She listens to his very vivid stories and makes him feel special. More importantly he opens up to her when he is feeling anxious. Now, she prepares him for days that the schedule maybe altered to ensure he can process it to have a good day. She gives him pep talks when he needs a boast of encouragement. Academically she finds fun ways to motivate the kids to learn and is always encouraging him to reach his highest potential. She has been a godsend for my child and family. She has made my son love school and he adores her.
Lori Broussard – Green T. Lindon Elementary School – Lafayette Parish School System
{Nominated by: Cole Broussard} Lori Broussard has been teaching in Lafayette for over 30 years. She’s been my mom for 25 of those, which of course makes me extremely biased, but I really think she deserves this award regardless. Consider the ways teaching has changed in the last 30 years – higher standards, increased pressure, and exponentially increasing workload – my mom has adapted to and overcome each obstacle in her way. Forget what I think, this fact alone makes her deserving of recognition. It’s also true that she’ll be retiring in the next few years. She’s humble to a fault; one might even say self-diminishing or unconfident. Again, I’m biased, but I think she deserves her own parade commemorating the day she leaves. I want more people to know what she’s done for our community, and if she won’t tell anyone herself for fear of bragging, I’ll do it for her. I want her to feel (and, most importantly, believe) she’s every bit as special as she’s made her students – made me – feel these last 30 years. I’d appreciate your help in achieving this goal by naming her Teacher of the Year. Thank you for your time.
Catherine Hartweck – Broadmoor Elementary, LPSS
{Nominated by: Katelyn Bares} Mrs. Hartweck has been a dedicated kindergarten teacher for more than 12 years in Lafayette Parish. She spent 10 years at JW Faulk and has been at Broadmoor. She cares for all of her students deeply and provides far more than just an exceptional educational environment. She is a teacher mentor and has been able to guide so many future teachers into a great start for their own classrooms. Last year Catherine took it upon herself to organize fundraising efforts and care packages for one her of students who was diagnosed with cancer. She went above and beyond to help him and his family and did her best to help him feel included in their class while he was away receiving treatment. She prides herself in making sure that every student feels loved and valued. From learning other languages to better communicate with her ESL students and their families, to providing all of her student with Christmas gifts each year, Mrs Hartweck is the picture perfect example of teaching from the heart!
Clare Landry – Green T. Lindon Elementary School
{Nominated by: Shea Austin} Clare Landry is the 2nd grade Special Education Teacher at GT Lindon and overall Superhero that strives for academic growth, inclusivity and provides compassion for her students. During the course of this year she has provided consistent communication and most importantly she knows the strength and progress of her students as well. Every time I see her she greets me with a smile and shares constructive and positive feedback. She shares realistic goals and outcomes and also strives to provide the resources needed for each student to succeed. I am so grateful for all of her hard work and tenacity. Mrs. Clare is the prime example of an exceptional educator we all pray our child will encounter on their academic journey. She pours into the kids in her class and all the kids she crosses paths with in the school. She is well deserving of this award!
Not only will the winner be crowned the 2024 Lafayette Mom Teacher of the Year, but s/he will also win the fabulous prize package giveaway valued at $1,400+ including:
- Summer Fun Camp plus $60 toward Annual Registration, and 1 month Trial Class from Hangtime TNT {value of $329}
- Skincare products including 4 EltaMd and 2 SkinCeuticals from Sanova Dermatology {value of $315}
- 1 case of wine, including 1 bottle each of from Chateau Ste. Michelle Indian Wells Riesling, Chateau Ste Michelle Light Chardonnay, Chateau Ste. Michelle Light Sauvignon Blanc, Liquid Light Pinot Grigio, Liquid Light Chardonnay, 14 Hands Sweet Red Blend, 14 Hands Buttery Chardonnay, 14 Hands Unicorn Rose Bubbles, A to Z Rose, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut NV, Intrinsic Cabernet, Erath Pinot Noir from Chateau Ste. Michelle {value of $220}
- A selection of Pelican’s new 2023/24 kids books including Someone in Louisiana Loves You Five, Little Termites, Gator’s Big Mouth, Michael the Wildlife, Detective, Greta’s Gumbo, I know My Louisiana Colors, King Cake ABCs, Rougarou at Mardi Gras, King of the Shoebox Parade, Gumbo Weather, Rainbow Rodney + more from Arcadia Publishing {value of $200}
- A 5 x 5 tailgating tent and two chairs from Lafayette Coca Cola Bottling Company {value of $100}
- “You Are Loved” cuff in bronze from Mimosa Handcrafted Jewelry {value of $69}
- Swag from evamor {valued at $75} and a case of evamor water from evamor {value of $50}
- Hand painted crawfish, spicy 8×10 art prints, and stickers from Hannah Gumbo {value of $200}
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.
