Staff and Educator Awards

TEACHER AND PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR- NOMINATIONS PORTAL NOW OPEN

The Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year programs honor exceptional educators whose instructional excellence, leadership, and unwavering commitment to students exemplify the very best of Louisiana education. Annually, the Louisiana Department of Education, in partnership with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, recognizes and celebrates these outstanding educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs.

Each year, Louisiana school systems nominate up to three teachers and three principals for state-level consideration. Through a rigorous selection process, the Department identifies educators whose impact extends beyond individual classrooms and schools to serve as ambassadors for public education in Louisiana.

In July, the Department, in partnership with Dream Teachers, celebrated the 2027 Teacher and Principal of the Year State-Level Honorees during the 20th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, held at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

The search now begins for the next group of exceptional educators who represent the very best of Louisiana education.

Teachers, principals, district employees, parents, students, colleagues, and community members are encouraged to nominate an outstanding teacher or principal for consideration. Self-nominations are also welcome, and multiple nominations may be submitted.

The nominations portal is open through September 30. At the close of the nomination period, nominations will be shared with local school systems for consideration as they identify and select their Teacher and Principal of the Year honorees.

Applications for the 2027–2028 Teacher and Principal of the Year programs will be available on this webpage this fall.

For questions about the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs, email [email protected].

NEW TEACHER OF THE YEAR- NOMINATIONS PORTAL NOW OPEN

The Louisiana Department of Education recognizes that great teachers and school leaders are critical to student success. Annually, the Department honors the state’s most exceptional educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs. These programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge educators who are achieving excellence. The Louisiana Department of Education, in partnership with Dream Teachers, has launched the New Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes and celebrates some of the state’s most exceptional new educators.

This program provides an opportunity to acknowledge those new teachers who are already demonstrating excellence in the classroom and their commitment to student success that exemplifies Louisiana’s teaching profession. This addition to the already-existing Teacher and Principal of the Year programs will recognize the outstanding contributions of a first-year classroom teacher.

All school systems are encouraged to select up to three new teachers, one per division (elementary, middle, and high), as their local-level honorees and submit these selections to the state process. School systems without a formal selection process in place may elect to send their candidates directly to the state-level process.

In July, the Department, in partnership with Dream Teachers, announced the 2027 New Teacher of the Year during the 20th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, held at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

The search now begins for the next group of exceptional educators who represent the very best of Louisiana education.

Teachers, principals, district employees, parents, students, colleagues, and community members are encouraged to nominate an outstanding new teacher. Self-nominations are welcome, and you may submit multiple nominations.

The nominations portal is open through September 30. At the close of the nomination period, nominations will be shared with local school systems for consideration as they identify and select their Teacher and Principal of the Year honorees.

Applications for the 2027–2028 New Teacher of the Year will be available on this webpage this fall.

For questions about the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs, email [email protected].

The Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year programs recognize and celebrate exceptional early childhood educators and leaders whose dedication, instructional excellence, and leadership make a meaningful impact on young children, families, and early learning communities across Louisiana.

Each year, the Louisiana Department of Education honors outstanding early childhood teachers and leaders who demonstrate excellence in their work and a strong commitment to providing high-quality early learning experiences. State-level honorees represent the important work happening across Louisiana’s early childhood system and serve as ambassadors for the early childhood profession.

The search is now underway for the next group of outstanding early childhood educators and leaders.

Early childhood providers, colleagues, families, community partners, and other supporters of early childhood education are encouraged to nominate an exceptional early childhood teacher or leader for consideration. Self-nominations are also welcome, and multiple nominations may be submitted.

The nominations portal is open through September 30. Following the nomination period, eligible nominees will receive information about the next steps in the Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year selection process.

Applications for the 2027–2028 Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year programs will be available on this webpage this fall.

For questions about the Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year programs, email [email protected].

OUTSTANDING SCHOOL SUPPORT EMPLOYEE AWARD- NOMINATION PORTAL OPEN 

Every school has individuals whose dedication makes a meaningful difference in the lives of students. School support employees serve as trusted mentors, problem-solvers, encouragers, and steady sources of support. Whether they welcome students each morning, ensure they arrive safely, prepare nutritious meals, maintain safe learning environments, or provide countless acts of care behind the scenes, they help create schools where students feel welcomed, valued, and prepared to succeed.

The Louisiana Department of Education proudly recognizes these exceptional individuals through the Outstanding School Support Employee of the Year program. Eligible nominees include teacher aides, paraprofessionals, school bus drivers, food service workers, clerical staff, custodial and maintenance personnel, and other school support employees who are not required to hold a teaching certificate as a condition of employment.

The search is now underway for Louisiana's next Outstanding School Support Employee of the Year honorees. We invite teachers, principals, district employees, colleagues, parents, students, community members, and school support employees themselves to nominate individuals whose dedication and service make a meaningful, lasting difference for students, schools, and their communities.

The nomination portal is open through September 11. Multiple nominations and self-nominations are welcome. After the nomination period closes, nominations will be shared with local school systems for consideration as they select their district nominees for the state recognition process.

Visit Outstanding School Support Employee of the Year archives to learn more about current and past honorees.

The application materials for the 2026-2027 school year will be uploaded to the website in the fall.  

For questions about the Outstanding School Support Employee of the Year Awards program, email [email protected]. 

SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICE PROVIDER AWARD- NOMINATION PORTAL OPEN

Every school has individuals whose expertise, compassion, and commitment ensure students have the support they need to be healthy, engaged, and ready to learn. School health providers are essential partners in education, providing critical services that remove barriers, improve student well-being, and help create environments where every student can thrive.

The Louisiana Department of Education proudly recognizes these exceptional professionals through the program. Eligible nominees include occupational therapists, physical therapists, speech-language pathologists, audiologists, nurses, nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, and licensed behavioral health providers (LCSW/LMSW, LPC, and psychologists) who demonstrate excellence in providing health services in educational settings and expanding access to care for students.

The search is now underway for Louisiana’s next School Health Service Provider of the Year honorees. We invite teachers, principals, district employees, colleagues, parents, students, community members, and school health providers themselves to nominate individuals whose expertise, leadership, and dedication make a meaningful and lasting difference for students, schools, and communities.

The nomination portal is open through September 11. Multiple nominations and self-nominations are welcomed. After the nomination period closes, nominations will be shared with local school systems for consideration as they select their district nominees for the state recognition process.

Visit School Health Service Provider of the Year archives to learn more about current and past honorees.

The application materials for the 2026–2027 school year will be uploaded to the website in the fall.

For questions about the School Health Service Provider of the Year Awards program, contact [email protected].