Providing All Louisiana Students with Opportunities to Learn

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Welcome to the Louisiana Department of Education

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) serves over 800,000 students in a growing portfolio of educational settings. As the state agency that oversees early childhood and K-12 education in Louisiana, the LDOE is committed to providing every child with the opportunities they need to graduate high school ready to succeed in a career, college, or service. The LDOE is responsible for a variety of services such as policy and regulations, funding, school oversight, research, and training.

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About the Louisiana Department of Education

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) provides guidance and support to all publicly funded early childhood centers and elementary and secondary schools in Louisiana. Specifically, the department provides tools and resources to schools and school systems to support classroom instruction, assessments, workforce development and college and career preparation. Additionally, the department provides families and the public with transparent reporting of center, school, and school system performance and quality through the Louisiana School Finder.

To stay connected with the LDOE and receive updates on our work and our resources, visit our newsroom and our newsletter subscriptions page.

Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)

The LDOE is the administrative arm of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). BESE was established by the 1974 Louisiana Constitution. The Board is composed of 11 members: eight elected by the citizens of Louisiana’s eight BESE districts, and three appointed by the governor of Louisiana to represent the state at-large. Together, these members adopt and enact policies governing the elementary and secondary schools of Louisiana.

Louisiana's Education Priorities

Louisiana's education priorities maintain a clear focus on what matters most for academic achievement.

Early childhood leading to kindergarten readiness
Literacy instruction aligned to the Science of Reading
Math instruction from foundational to advanced skills
Opportunities ensuring a meaningful high school experience
An effective teacher for every student
Expand educational choice for students and families

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If you have questions, including public records requests, questions about licensure, or other types of inquiries, please see our contact us page.

Louisiana State Superintendent

Dr. Cade Brumley

Dr. Brumley is a Louisiana native who has dedicated his career to serving children, parents, and educators.

Meet Dr. Brumley

Back to the Basics

Louisiana's Education Priorities

From being ready to learn on the first day of kindergarten to thriving in a career, college

Learn about our priorities

Employment Opportunities

Careers at LDOE

Join the Louisiana Department of Education as we strive for excellence.

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Policy Guidance

State Advisory Groups

The LDOE facilitates over a dozen councils, committees, task forces, and other groups.

Learn more about our education groups

Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year, New Teachers of the Year among other educators celebrated during the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala

(BATON ROUGE, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) celebrated some of the state’s most outstanding teachers and leaders tonight at the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala. Produced in partnership with Dream Teachers, this event was highlighted by the announcement of the Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year, Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year, and Louisiana New Teacher of the Year.

2024 Overall State Honorees:

Louisiana Teacher of the Year: Kylie Altier | East Baton Rouge Parish Schools
Louisiana Principal of the Year: Tia Mechelle Trahan | Lafayette Parish
Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Phedra Jackson | Lafourche Parish
Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year: Arielle Hughes | Jefferson Parish
Louisiana New Teacher of the Year: Phoenix Morel LeBlanc | Livingston Parish Public Schools

“Tonight we celebrate the remarkable dedication and unwavering commitment of Louisiana’s finest teachers and leaders,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “Their resilience, passion, and tireless efforts have transformed lives and paved the way for our Louisiana comeback.”

Louisiana Teacher of the Year

Kylie Altier is the overall Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Altier teaches first grade at Buchanan Elementary in East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools. She has won over $13,000 in grants to enrich the educational experiences of students and the whole school community. Altier brought life to a garden focused on agriculture, created a mobile kitchen where students cook fresh vegetables they harvest, and designed a curriculum employing virtual reality headsets to boost experiential learning.

The following educators were named division-level Louisiana Teacher of the Year

Elementary: Sandra Saye-Foucqueteau | Zachary Community School District
Middle: Cory Joy Craig | Bossier Parish Schools
High: Dennis "DJ" Pevey | Tangipahoa Parish School System

Louisiana Principal of the Year

Tia Mechelle Trahan is the overall Louisiana Principal of the Year. Trahan leads Lafayette Middle in the Lafayette Parish School System. A National Board Certified Teacher, she was the Lafayette Parish School System Teacher of the Year in 2007. Trahan was part of the first cohort of Louisiana leaders to complete the National Institute for School Leaders.

The following educators were named division-level Louisiana Principal of the Year

Elementary: Dr. Monya Thomas-Criddle | Jefferson Parish Schools
Middle: Barry Carter | DeSoto Parish Schools
High: Marvin Evans | Ascension Public Schools

Louisiana Early Childhood Teachers of the Year

Phedra Jackson is the overall Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher of the Year. Jackson teaches at Lafourche Head Start in Lafourche Parish. Jackson has more than 10 years of experience working and serving children and families in Louisiana.

Louisiana Early Childhood Leaders of the Year

Arielle Hughes is the overall Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year. Hughes leads Carousel Preschool in Jefferson Parish. Hughes has over 10 years of combined experience in both leading and teaching in Early Learning centers.

Louisiana New Teacher of the Year

Phoenix Morel LeBlanc is the overall Louisiana New Teacher of the Year. LeBlanc teaches at Albany Middle in the Livingston Parish Public School System. Recognizing excellence during the first year in the classroom, this is the second year of this awards program.

The 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Awards Gala was held at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. During the event, the Department announced the 2024 State Elementary, Middle, and High School Teacher and Principal of the Year honorees, the 2024 New Teacher of the Year, the 2024 Early Childhood Leader and Teacher of the Year.

In addition, the New Teacher of the Year Finalists, Early Childhood Teacher and Leader Finalists, Milken Educator Award recipients, Louisiana’s Public Interest Fellowship recipients and the Teacher and Principal of the Year Semifinalists and Finalists were honored.

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