Our Fellows

Ashleigh Chiasson Monceaux attended the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where she earned her Bachelor’s degree of Arts and Sciences in Mass Communications, as well as her Master of Business Administration degree. After moving back home to Crowley, Mrs. Monceaux discovered her passion for education while working as a substitute teacher. She then went on to receive her Alternative Certification in Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, with a concentration in English Language Arts. 

Mrs. Monceaux was a 6th-8th grade English Language Arts teacher in Acadia Parish for ten years, where she served as the Student Council Advisor and the Leader in Me Coordinator. Mrs. Monceaux was recognized as Teacher of the Year for the 2018-2019 school year. She joined LAA+ (Louisiana Association of Arts) as a fellow in 2020. She also received her certification for Teacher Leader with the State of Louisiana in 2020 and has been a Certified Mentor Teacher for four years with the Louisiana Department of Education and served as a Regional Talent Coach and a Teacher Leader Advisor for the State of Louisiana.

After receiving her Master’s in Educational Leadership from ULM in 2021, Mrs. Monceaux transitioned to Vermillion Parish and served as Student Services Coordinator for grades 6th-12th. Mrs. Monceaux then went on to become the Dean of Student Services at John Melvin University for two years. She is currently back in Acadia Parish and is serving again as a 6th-9th grade English Language Arts teacher at Egan Elementary. 

Mrs. Monceaux enjoys serving as a LAA+ fellow and helping other teachers learn how to integrate the arts into their classrooms and curriculum. She feels that it is important to allow students to still be able to be creative in the classroom while they are learning and meeting the state's standards for instruction. Being able to promote this in her own classroom has helped her bring back the joy of learning to not only her students, but herself. 

 

Bernard McPherson is a fifth-year educator who currently serves as the principal of St. Helena Arts & Technology Academy in Greensburg, LA. During his first year of teaching, he was awarded the honor of St. Helena Parish School District's Elementary Teacher of the Year. Subsequent to this time, Bernard served in the capacity of art integration specialist. In this role, he supported teachers with integrating the arts into their respective content areas. Prior to entering education, Bernard performed in various operatic and musical productions throughout the nation and abroad. A music educator at heart, Bernard continues to train choirs and individuals within his community. He has been commissioned at high school graduations, professional development seminars, and college campuses as a keynote and motivational speaker. Bernard holds a Bachelor of Music degree in music education and a Master of Music degree in vocal performance. 

Brandie McNabb is a second grade English Language Arts teacher completing her twenty-second year of teaching at Rollins Place Elementary within the Zachary Community School System.  Mrs. McNabb is a past Teacher of the Year, the 2014-2016 president of the Louisiana Reading Association, and a 2016 finalist for the Norman Saurage Dream Teachers Award for community service.  She recently earned her re-certification as a National Board-Certified Teacher. Mrs. McNabb has presented at local, state, regional, and national conferences including the Zachary Reading Council, yearly Louisiana Reading Association State Conferences, the annual International Literacy Association National Conference, and National Council Teachers of English Conference.  She has published an article in the International Literacy Association’s journal, Literacy Today, on arts integration in the ELA classroom.  In 2017, Mrs. McNabb earned her Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a Reading Specialist Certification.  She recently has served as an instructor with Louisiana State University for several years teaching a course on integrating the arts into an elementary classroom.

Mary Francis “Cissy” Whipp has been working as a performer, choreographer, and dance educator for over 40 years. She received her BFA. in Choreographic Design from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and her MA in Performing Arts: Dance from the American University in Washington, D.C.  She co-founded Louisiana’s first professional modern dance company, Moving South Dance, Inc., toured for several years with Young Audiences of New Orleans, and performed in France and Belgium with La Compagnie Louisianaise. She has taught for university dance programs at American University, George Washington University, Potsdam State University of New York, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. In 1999, she joined the John F. Kennedy Center’s roster of National Teaching Artists and presented workshops nationally for teachers on integrating dance into the curriculum. She is the author of three professional development workshops for the Kennedy Center’s Education Department. After retiring as the Dance Specialist at the J. Wallace James Elementary School for Arts & Technology, where she worked for 19 years, Ms. Whipp worked for the Louisiana Board of Regents’ LOUIS project to co-write an OER textbook for dual enrollment called “So You Think You Know Dance.” She returned to the Performing Arts Department at UL Lafayette, where she teaches various dance courses.  She co-created "Embodying Our Voices," a series of creative movement and writing workshops for seniors. She is an Artist Fellow with Louisiana A+ Schools, delivering professional development for educators in schools throughout the state. In August of 2024, Ms. Whipp received the LINEAGE Award, which honors visual and performing artists who have contributed a lifetime’s worth of creativity to the Acadiana region and beyond and whose practice embodies community values and those who have laid the foundation for future artistic generations.

Dominique is the Music Specialist at Park Forest Elementary. She is a New Orleans native and mother of two boys. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Performance Degree in Vocal Music and Piano from Southern University and A&M College's Music Department. Ms. Gibbs was initiated into Mu Phi Epsilon International Professional Music Fraternity in the Spring of 2007. She is also an active member of Mu Phi Epsilon's Alumni chapter in Baton Rouge of which she holds office as Vice President. Dominique, affectionately known as Ms. Gibbs was Teacher of the Year for 2021-2022 at Park Forest Elementary Creative Sciences & Arts Magnet school where she teaches General Music, Entertainment Technology, and Piano. Ms. Gibbs is also the facilitator of the Audio and Video Production Lab, The Pirate Ship Podcast, and Director of the Famous Singing Pirates choir. She was also inducted into the Beta Class of the MUSIC GREEKS UNDER 40 SOCIETY, by the nationally recognized MUSIC GREEKΣ, a non-profit organization which serves to commemorate and raise awareness of the existence of seven national music greek letter organizations.

Dominique made history as the 2023 Inaugural Elementary Fine Arts Teacher for the District of East Baton Rouge Parish Schools System. Dominique began her journey with Louisiana A+ Schools as an apprentice and is now a Fellow.

She is an outstanding Singer, Songwriter, and Musician.

Emily Gulett has been a Caddo Parish educator for over 16 years. Before making the switch to education, she first gained teaching experience working with clinical students in the medical laboratory setting. This teaching experience led her to pursue a master's degree in special education from Louisiana Tech University. In addition to teaching kindergarten-5th grade special education, Emily also taught 9th-12th grade fashion design students at the Caddo Career & Technology Center. In 2017, she was selected as the CC&TC Teacher of the Year. During the same year, she created a commissioned-based art business, specializing in watercolor and acrylic paintings. In 2019, she began working as a LAA+ Schools Fellow while teaching at Mooringsport Elementary. In 2023, she completed her Louisiana Mentor Teacher Certification. Her passion for the arts and arts education finally led to her current position as the visual art teacher at North Caddo Magnet High School.

In February of 1994 Janet began her Visual Arts Teaching Career for Caddo Parish students at an alternative school named Bethune Middle where she held her post for eight years.  The past sixteen years have been spent at Claiborne Fundamental Magnet Elementary where she works with all kindergarten through fifth grade students each year. Mrs. Wolfe has been honored with the title of 2010 Louisiana Art Educator, and 2017 Southeastern Region Elementary Art Educator of the year. In 2018 she was Louisiana’s choice for National Elementary Art Educator. Janet has also been asked to judge numerous student juried art exhibitions outside of her parish through her years of teaching. She is an active arts volunteer for the local Arts council in Shreveport, LA during events such as their main fundraising Gala “Christmas in the Sky” and the Students Showcase festival, :Artbreak” Being a Professional Development junkie, Janet attends as many arts workshops, state Conferences, National Conventions and Aplus activities as her time allows. Mrs. Wolfe has attended as a participant as well as a presenter for many of the above mentioned workshops including presenting Paper Pulp painting in North Carolina at their 20th arts integration Celebration and during in-services scheduled for the local art educators.  She also participates in the annual Art Educator Exhibition and in juried exhibitions in other parishes and states.   Janet started her University training at the University of Southwestern Louisiana which is currently named the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She then finished and received 2 degrees, one in the Arts and the second in Art Education at the Louisiana State University in Shreveport.

Jeremy Ward is originally from Lake Providence, La. He Currently lives in the Shreveport/ Bossier area where he teaches drama for the Talented Arts Program in Bossier Parish. He previously worked as the teen coordinator for the Boys & Girls Club of Central LA.  Jeremy also works as an actor, writer, and director that goes by the stage name Jay Ward. He has written several plays and has appeared in several films. He earned a B.S. in Speech Communication and Theatre from Jackson State University.

Jessica Offord has been an Acadia Parish employee for twenty-four years.  She is currently in her eighth year as an eighth grade social studies teacher at Armstrong Middle School.  She previously taught sixth grade world history for sixteen years and is currently part of the Instructional Leadership Team.  Jessica has served as a University of Louisiana at Lafayette Talent Search supervisor for the past twentieth-three years and has been a 4H sponsor for the past ten years.  Outside of work, Jessica enjoys reading and cooking in her spare time.  She is married to Patrick Offord with whom she shares two beautiful children.

Joshua holds a Master of Fine Arts degree from Louisiana Tech University and a Bachelor of Arts from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma. He is the Assistant Professor of Studio Art at Centenary College of Louisiana, and has prior experience teaching for the Talented Arts Program in Louisiana public schools. He actively engages in the local and regional arts community while maintaining an active career as a gallery artist. Joshua's work has been published in New American Paintings, Creative Quarterly, and Studio Visit Magazine. Chambers' work can be found in Graphite Galleries in New Orleans, Ann Connelly Fine Art in Baton Rouge, and The Agora Borealis in Shreveport. His works are in the permanent collections of the Masur Museum of  Art in Louisiana, the Lessedra Gallery in Bulgaria, and numerous private collections.

Kelley Hobson currently teaches fourth grade reading and language arts at South Highlands Elementary Magnet School in Shreveport. She has been teaching since 2000 in Caddo Parish and has experience teaching first, third, and fourth grade. Kelley moved to South Highlands Elementary Magnet in 2002 and completed her National Board Certification in 2009.  While teaching third grade at South Highlands, Kelley was named Teacher of the Year and awarded State Educator of Distinction.  Kelley was also selected by a BESE member and the State Superintendent to serve on the Louisiana State Standards Review Board Committee. She also presently serves on the Leadership Team and as a Teacher Leader at South Highlands. At the parish level, Kelley has served on a task force to create ELA curriculum guides for educators and as a mentor for new teachers. During a Caddo Parish principal’s meeting, she also presented how to enhance the current curriculum through arts integrated techniques and using technology in the classroom. Kelley graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University in 1999 and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Louisiana Tech University in 2017.

Kristy Gilpin has taught 2nd and 3rd grade in Louisiana schools for the last thirteen years. She is currently a 2nd grade teacher at Rollins Place Elementary in Zachary, LA. Kristy and her students were the national winners of the Disney Planet Challenge award in 2012 for their work to bring awareness to the community of the crisis affecting the Louisiana wetlands. Kristy is a National Board Certified teacher and frequent grant winner. She is a Nat Geo Certified Educator and Seesaw Ambassador. Both of these distinctions give her an opportunity to work with teachers and pursue her passions for using technology in education and developing students who are global citizens. Kristy has presented at conferences around the country on gifted education, science and social studies content, and most recently on integrating arts with content standards. She worked on a team that developed a summer reading program focused on research which highlighted the need for reading engagement during the summer months. Kristy has worked with teachers to develop curriculum in the areas of social studies, language arts, reading and science, being sure to integrate technology and arts standards.  Kristy sits on multiple committees at her school and has been instrumental in creating and organizing STEAM programs, science and art summer camps and raising funds for professional development for fellow teachers. Kristy earned a Bachelor's Degree from Louisiana State University in 2005, a Masters Degree and reading specialist certification from Southeastern Louisiana University in 2006 and is currently pursuing a certification in school librarianship through Louisiana State University.

Lashonda Jones is a native of Crossett,Arkansas and currently resides in Monroe, Louisiana. She is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education 1-5, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. Lashonda has been an educator for 16 years. Throughout her career she has taught grades K-12 in all subjects, and was also the music and choir teacher at one of her former schools. 

In 2018, Lashonda was named the Teacher of the Year for Crawford Elementary School, as well as the Elementary Teacher of the Year for Bienville Parish. She is currently an Assistant Principal at Morehouse Elementary School. During the 2023-2024 school year, she completed the LDOE’s Aspiring Principal Fellowship. The fellowship helped to gain valuable experience and skills to help her become an amazing lead Principal. Lashonda also has numerous news appearances for her talent of incorporating music into the classroom.

Lashonda has been married to her husband, Brent for 11 years. They have three beautiful daughters, Kaylei, Kamrei, and Khloei. A fun fact about Lashonda is that she has an identical twin sister. She has been an LAA+ Fellow for a few years now, and looking forward to growing her passion for the Arts in the schools even more!

Lisa Mann Breaux is a Dance Specialist teaching students of all ages and a wide variety of mental and physical disabilities.  She has taught at the Jill Listi Dance Studio in Lafayette, LA for 17 years.  A National certified dance instructor of Dance Masters of America in Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Acrobatics, she also served on their National Board of Directors for a two year term and has been invited to teach Tap at their National Convention in Los Angeles, CA.  Lisa volunteers with many organizations and currently sits on several Community Boards in Lafayette, LA.  She is a licensed Speech, Language and Hearing Specialist having worked in the Lafayette Parish School System for several years.   Lisa graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a BA in 1977,  and continued with graduate work for several years.

Mary S. Johnson is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  She has served as an Elementary Music Teacher in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System for 20 years.  During her teaching career, she has been awarded “Music Teacher of the Year” from the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra for East Baton Rouge Parish and has attained numerous awards for her community involvement and service in East Baton Rouge Parish.  Ms. Johnson has participated as an instructor for the EBR Elementary Music Camp (an annual camp to encourage excellence in honor music students), the EBR Gospel Schowcase Choir, and Kids Orchestra.  She has also adjudicated for Arts Festivals in Baton Rouge and the surrounding areas. Presently, Ms. Johnson is pursuing educational endeavors in Music Education.

Melanie Woods Alexander is an elementary music specialist at Rollins Place Elementary School in Zachary, LA. She has taught for twelve years in the Zachary Community School District. Melanie is a part of her school's arts integration team, school improvement team, and the Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) team. She often helps classroom teachers with planning and implementing arts integrated lessons in their classrooms and frequently co-teaches lessons with them as well. Melanie holds both a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and a Master of Music degree from Louisiana State University. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher in Early/Middle Childhood Music and a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.

Melissa Shaw is a Fourth Grade Science and Social Studies Teacher at South Highlands Elementary Magnet.  For 17 years, she has taught First, Second, and Fourth graders in Caddo Parish, Louisiana.  Melissa volunteers her afternoons to teach third, fourth, and fifth graders the joys and challenges of Robotics.  In addition to serving as their Robotics Coach, Melissa is also South Highlands’ Science and Social Studies Fair Director and has served as Grade Level Chair.  She has successfully planned school-wide events such as South Highlands’ celebration for the 200th Anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner and co-chaired events such as the 2017 Solar Eclipse Viewing Extravaganza.  Melissa has always enjoyed writing grants and has been the recipient of classroom grants targeting reading, classroom technology, phonics/gender bias, and home/community involvement.  Melissa has served her school district as Co-Chair of New Teacher Orientation, Science District Team Leaders, Language Arts Textbook Adoption Committee, and Social Studies Curriculum Standards Focus Group. Melissa is an active member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international organization of women educators dedicated to educational excellence.   Melissa received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Louisiana State University – Shreveport.  She earned her Master of Education with certifications in School Administration and Supervision from Centenary College.  Melissa has accumulated an additional 30+ graduate hours with a focus on reading instruction and educational technology.  Melissa was awarded her National Board Certification in 2006 and joined the Louisiana A+ Fellows in 2016.  She was named Caddo Parish Teacher of the Year in 2019.

 

Paul Boudreaux is a dedicated educator and performer who has made significant contributions in both the sciences and the performing arts. At Lafayette High School, he taught Biology and Chemistry, developed a Pharmacy Technician course, and served as a Teacher Leader for Lafayette Parish. In 2013, he earned National Certification as a Tap instructor with Dance Masters of America. His stage experience includes roles in productions such as Sugar, Some Like It Hot, and Miss Saigon with the Louisiana Lyric Opera.

 

Beyond the stage and classroom, Paul actively participates in charity events, using his tap dancing and singing talents to support various organizations in Acadiana. His passion for integrating the arts with science education led him to join LAA+ as a fellow in 2014, where he has since shared innovative arts-integrated science lessons with educators across Louisiana and Arkansas.

 

Paul holds a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Louisiana at Monroe, a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and a master’s degree in Education Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Gifted Education.

 

Rebecca Holmes serves on the administrative team at Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Center as a Middle School Division Head. In this role she supports English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Arts content, staying closely tied to influencing a strong school culture and climate. Her interests and intent as a school administrator are largely informed by her own experiences in the music classroom. Over her twenty-two year career, Ms. Holmes has worked as a music educator in several districts in and around the New Orleans area. Her teaching opportunities have included instruction of traditional elementary general music, music appreciation, keyboard, ukulele, guitar, modern band, choir, and orchestral strings. It has also been her pleasure and passion to work with teachers as an instructional coach, professional development coordinator, and music content and curriculum leader. 

Ms. Holmes is a participant in the 2024-2025 Louisiana Department of Educations Aspiring Principal Fellowship. Prior to embarking on a school leadership journey, she was chosen as one of five music educators to receive the Yale Distinguished Music Educator Award in 2019. She also served as a contributing member of the orchestra curriculum unit team for a project exploring the use of digitized primary resources conducted by the Library of Congress with the National Association for Music Education. She has been a Fellow with Louisiana A+ Schools since 2015. Ms. Holmes attended Loyola University New Orleans, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree. She then earned a Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree at the American College of Education. As an active performer, she enjoys highlighting the cello’s versatility and performance capacity through a wide variety of genres.

 

Rebecca Orillion is a sixth-grade ELA teacher at Mire Elementary School in Mire, LA. She has taught in Acadia Parish for 20 years. In 2016, she was awarded Teacher of the Year for Armstrong Middle School and Middle School Teacher of the Year for Acadia Parish. In 2023 she was also Teacher of the Year at Mire Elementary. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts and her certification in Middle School Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and is a Highly Certified Teacher for Middle School Education. She is currently working on her Masters in Educational Leadership from LSUS. She has been a fellow for LAA+ for 3 years. In her spare time, she volunteers for her church’s youth ministries, co-sponsors Beta, and coaches her children’s various sports. She is married to James Orillion and has six beautiful children. 

Rhonda Glass has worked as the Caddo Parish Talented Art Coordinator since its inception in 2002. Prior to that, she served in the same capacity in the East Baton Rouge school system - initiating the program in both school districts. Her experience in the classroom includes teaching Talented Visual Art, art in grades K - 12, Kindergarten, and the core subject areas of science, social studies, and English. While teaching at Forest Hill Elementary School in Shreveport, she was selected as one of three finalists for the Caddo Elementary teacher of the year. Rhonda's interest in the arts in her community has driven her to volunteer as a docent at Meadows Museum on the Centenary College campus and to act as administrator for the Youth Symphony, an outreach of the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra. Rhonda served on the Louisiana Department of Education committee to develop the current Talented Theatre evaluation tool and she is listed on the roster of Talented Visual Art evaluators for Louisiana. Rhonda holds a B. A in Art Education, an M. A. in Fine Arts, and an MEd. in Educational Leadership.

A LAA+ Fellow since 2015, Rosemary Grimm has been an educator in Louisiana for more than 20 years. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. She earned an M.Ed. in Educational Technology Leadership from Lamar University. She is a certified Educational Technology Leader, English Language Arts Content Leader, Mentor Teacher, and Reading Specialist. Grimm has served in several leadership roles, including Louisiana Teacher Leader, Arts Advocate, and Arts Implementation Coordinator for Turnaround Arts in Washington, DC. Grimm has also served on several committees at the district and state level, including the ELA Guidebook Committee, the Bossier Parish Schools Assessment Committee, the Social Emotional Learning Team, and the LDOE Minimum Foundation Program Task Force. Grimm provides district-wide professional development on curriculum and standards alignment, writing instruction, assessments, and evidence-based instructional strategies. 

Grimm's work in arts integration has had a profound impact on student learning. This impact was recognized in 2018 when she was named the Louisiana Elementary Teacher of the Year, with her platform emphasizing arts integration across content areas.  She has since shared her insights on the importance of arts integration at various events, including the Aioli Dinner Supper Club fundraising benefit, several Bossier Parish School Board meetings, and with prospective educators at LSUS.

Grimm is a fifth-grade English Language Arts teacher at Haughton Elementary School in Bossier Parish and an adjunct instructor at Louisiana State University of Shreveport, where she teaches the reading and writing methods course

 

Sandy LaBry is a veteran educator who has presented professional development in arts integration for educators and teaching artists throughout Louisiana for LAA+ and with training from the Kennedy Center’s Partners in Education program, the Lincoln Center and the Smithsonian Institute. With a background of teaching and supervisory experience in English, World Languages and integrated Visual Arts, she is a Founding Fellow with LAA+.

Shelly is a dedicated advocate for public education through her work with the Louisiana Association of Educators, where she empowers members to organize and address key educational issues. A former first and second grade teacher at Cecil Picard Elementary in Vermilion Parish, she also spearheaded Professional Learning Communities and District Professional Development initiatives. Shelly's excellence in education earned her nominations for the Louisiana Association of Educators' prestigious Teacher Image Award in both 2017 and 2018.

As a panelist on the Louisiana Department of Education's 2018 Teacher of the Year Interview Committee, Shelly played a pivotal role in selecting the state's top educator. Her classroom experience spans multiple grade levels, including first grade at James A. Herod Elementary, where she served as Lead Teacher, and first through third grades at Alice Boucher Elementary in Lafayette Parish, where she contributed to the Arts Integration Committee.

In addition to her teaching career, Shelly has a strong background in dance. She taught and choreographed at Liz A. Trahan Dance Studio for five years and led Creative Movement classes in the Enrichment Program at Live Oak Elementary. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, combining her passion for teaching with her commitment to fostering creativity and growth in young learners.

 

Sherry Barron, Founder and CEO of The Academy for Cultivating Creative Arts LLC, The Baton Rouge Homeschool Choirs, West Feliciana Parish Children's Chorus, and continues to maintain a private piano studio (40+yrs).  As a retired National Board Certified Music Educator, Sherry has worked as Music Specialist for multiple LA parishes and private school systems. With a passion to share the beautiful art of music through a variety of means, Sherry continues to educate all ages and is currently the Director of The Baton Rouge Chorus of Sweet Adelines, International. Sherry’s professional organizations have included:  Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra (BRSO) Executive Board Member and Education Committee Chair, Curriculum Coordinator/Foundations Teacher for Kids’ Orchestra, President of the Red Stick Chapter of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Ex-Officio Board Member of Louisiana Music Educator’s Association, Music Teacher’s National Association, Baton Rouge Music Teacher Association.  She served as co-writer of the LA State Music Curriculum Guide (2007) and the LA State Textbook Adoption Committee (2011).  Accomplishments include BRSO Music Teacher of the Year (2005) for integrating music with academic curriculum, Bains Lower Teacher of the Year (2006), and an Honorary Commission as an Educational Leader and Mentor for the Congressional Youth Leadership Council (2005). She presented at the LA State Librarian Conference with her topic, Music Makes You Smarter- You Can Book It!  Before her education career, Sherry was the Co-Producer for the television/radio broadcast of Kid’s Jamboree, an International Christian Ministry for children.  Mrs. Barron holds a Bachelor of Vocal Music Education from Louisiana State University and attended Southeastern Louisiana University with a concentration in piano performance and also holds certification in Music/Early and Middle Childhood from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.

Tiffany Jackson is the coordinator for Master of Arts in Teaching and Secondary programs and instructor of instructional methods in the School of Education at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  She joined the university’s faculty in 2011 as the professional development coordinator of the Master of Arts in Teaching program.  In 2015, she was promoted to the position of Project Director of the program’s newly funded, multi-million dollar, Transition to Teaching grant which she co-authored.  In 2013, Tiffany was awarded the Best Practices Award for Excellence in Education by Generation Ready, the national educational consulting firm and has had the opportunity to share her educational expertise nationally and internationally.  Most notably, she was invited to present a breakout session on professional learning at Jim Knight’s Annual Teaching Learning and Coaching Conference.  Additionally, her presentations on teacher mentoring and reciprocal reading instruction were published in the Hawaiian International Conference on Education conference proceedings.  In addition to her position at the university, Tiffany also volunteers to serve the educational community both locally and nationally.  She serves as a trustee in the Twin City Arts Foundation, is the president-elect for the Northeast Louisiana Reading Council, is a member of Corwin Publishers Alternative Certification Advisory Board, and is the regional director and training and professional learning committee chair for the National Association of Alternative Certification.  Tiffany has over 20 years of teaching experience in PK-12 and post-secondary schools.  She has served as a child development center director, elementary school teacher and administrator, and middle school English teacher and literacy coach.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership.  Mrs. Jackson is currently enrolled in a doctoral program at Grambling State University as she pursues her Doctorate of Education.

Tiffany Jeansonne is a second grade math, science, and social studies teacher at Rollins Place Elementary in Zachary, LA.  She has taught in the Zachary Community School District since 2003.  Tiffany received the honor of Rollins Place’s Teacher of the Year this school year.  She earned her National Board Certification in 2007.  Tiffany serves on many school committees, including leadership, AdvancEd, technology, and arts, as well as mentors Louisiana State University preservice teachers and new teachers to her school.  She is a National Geographic educator, a Seesaw ambassador, and writes math, science, and social studies curriculum.  She is in her second year as an LAA+ Fellow and enjoys integrating the arts into her classroom, as well as helping other teachers integrate the arts into theirs.  Tiffany graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in December 2002.