LDOE Leadership

Ken Bradford serves as the Chief of Staff at the Louisiana Department of Education, where he leads the agency’s organizational and operational functions. His work ensures that all employees have the resources they need to maximize their potential and contribute to achieving the agency’s goals.

Bradford began his career as a classroom teacher at Istrouma Senior High School in East Baton Rouge Parish. A recipient of the Sallie Mae New Teacher of the Year award and a finalist for Louisiana Teacher of the Year, he joined the Louisiana Department of Education in 2002. During his tenure, he has held several roles, including Louisiana Virtual School Program Administrator, Assistant Director for the Center for Educational Technology, State Director of Educational Technology, and State Assistant Superintendent.

A native of Paulina in rural St. James Parish, Bradford earned a Bachelor of Education in Social Studies and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Educational Technology from Louisiana State University. He also served three years on active duty as an enlisted Armor Crewman in the U.S. Army and five years with the Louisiana National Guard in the 239th Military Police Company.

Dr. Jenna Chiasson serves the Louisiana Department of Education as Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. During her tenure in this role, Dr. Chiasson led support for educators and families through the pandemic that minimized learning loss and, in some subjects, led to student growth, as measured by NAEP. She has collaborated with policy makers, industry partners, and education leaders to transform early literacy instruction across almost 200 school systems.

Prior to joining the Department, Dr. Chiasson began her career as a high school English teacher in Louisiana. She served as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for Jefferson Parish Schools, the largest public school system in Louisiana. In this role, Dr. Chiasson led the district-wide adoption of high quality instructional materials, standardized a model for school level teacher coaches, and built sustainable practices in teacher-led professional development. Dr. Chiasson also previously served in other school system roles in St. John the Baptist Parish, leading work in curriculum and instruction, professional development, and school improvement.

Dr. Chiasson earned a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Nicholls State University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Specialist from Nicholls State University, and a Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of New Orleans.

Beth Scioneaux serves as the Deputy Superintendent of School System Financial Services at the Louisiana Department of Education. With nearly three decades of experience in school finance, she has held her current role since 2007. Scioneaux has deep expertise in school finance policy, budgeting, grant administration, auditing, and data collection.

Scioneaux leads the administration of the $3.8 billion Minimum Foundation Program (MFP), the state’s school finance funding formula. She also oversees MFP audits, financial data reporting for school systems, federal financial monitoring, and the allocation of state grants to nonpublic schools.

A native of Brusly, Louisiana, Scioneaux earned a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Louisiana State University.

Before assuming her current role, Baker served as the Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Planning and Student Success at the Louisiana Board of Regents. There, she initiated the revision of Louisiana’s dual enrollment policy, launched LaDualEnrollment.com, and led statewide efforts that increased dual enrollment participation by 13%. She also supported several legislative task forces and authored numerous reports submitted to the Louisiana State Legislature on a range of topics, from a dental school feasibility study to recommendations for strengthening Louisiana’s healthcare workforce pipeline.

Baker’s career in education began as a classroom teacher, where she taught both middle and high school history. Her time in the classroom, along with her leadership in curriculum development, ignited her passion for education policy. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Centenary College of Louisiana.

Thomas Lambert serves as Assistant Superintendent in the Office of Assessments, Accountability, and Analytics at the Louisiana Department of Education. In this role, he leads the department’s strategy for student assessment, school and district accountability, and data analysis.

Lambert, raised in New Orleans, is a proud graduate of Alice Harte, Lusher Middle, Benjamin Franklin High School, and Louisiana State University. He began his career as a high school social studies teacher in Jefferson Parish and later led data management efforts in both Jefferson and New Orleans. Most recently, he served as Chief Portfolio Officer for NOLA Public Schools, overseeing accountability for the district’s portfolio of 78 schools and its unified enrollment system, as well as college/career strategy, early childhood education, and data analysis.

An Eagle Scout, Lambert is committed to creating systems that support students, educators, and communities, ensuring that all students are on a path to success. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University.

W. L. “Trey” Folse, III has dedicated his career to serving children, educators, and families. Folse has displayed transformational leadership at every level of Louisiana’s education system. He joined the Louisiana Department of Education during the heart of the global pandemic in 2020 as Louisiana’s first Assistant Superintendent of School System Relations. Folse established a new unit dedicated to maintaining strong relationships and open lines of communication between his state agency and Louisiana’s public school systems.

While he now serves every educator in Louisiana from the state capital, Folse’s career in education began at the place he calls home. A proud graduate of Slidell High in St. Tammany Parish, his first job in the profession was in the St. Tammany Parish Public School System as a computer literacy teacher at Salmen High. During his 35 years with his hometown system, he would rise through the ranks as a school leader and district administrator. The St. Tammany Parish Public School Board appointed Folse Superintendent in 2010. The school system grew in size and achievement under his leadership, regularly earning some of the highest scores in the state. His success in the role earned him selection as the 2017 Louisiana Superintendent of the Year.

During his time as Superintendent, he also received the Crimestoppers’ Excellence in School Safety and Prevention Award, Community Service Award from the Covington Branch of the NAACP, St. Tammany Federation of Teachers and School Employees “Man with a Mission” Award, 2008 Bureau of Governmental Research “Excellence in Government” Award, St. Tammany Deputy Sheriff’s Association Award, and St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce Community Leader Award.

Folse is past president of the National Federation of Urban and Suburban School Districts (NFUSSD) and served on the organization’s board of directors. He has served on the Governor’s Committee on K-12 Education Transition Advisory Team, Children’s Museum of St. Tammany Advisory Board, East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce Advisory Board, St. Tammany West Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Region II Chairman.

Not only has St. Tammany Parish been home to Folse, it’s also home to his family. Four generations of Folse’s have graduated from St. Tammany Parish Schools, including his grandparents, parents, and his two children. Folse has dedicated his life to the education of children. He works daily to ensure every child, every day receives the best education possible to help them succeed in life.