Terrebonne Public Schools'
Teacher of the Year Parish Finalist
Elementary School Finalist
Tara Portier- Mulberry Elementary
Tara teaches 4th grade math, science, and social studies. Tara says, "Teachers must be committed to students and parents, have knowledge of the subject matter they teach, manage and monitor student learning, and treat all students fairly and with respect."
Jennifer Porche - Boudreaux Canal
Jennifer teaches self-contained 4th grade. Her philosophy of teaching includes the belief that students deserve the opportunity, the instruction, the tools, the knowledge, and the experiences necessary to mold them into the people they wish to become in order to reach their hidden potential and fulfill their life goals.
Middle and Junior High School Finalist
Terez LeBlanc - Houma Junior High
Terez teaches Teen Leadership and Law Studies to 8th and 9th graders. Her message to the teaching profession and the community is to embrace the positive, advertise the successes of the children, and understand the power of this profession.
Debbie Volquardts - Dularge Middle
Debbie teaches gifted math to 3rd through 7th graders and gifted reading to 7th graders. She sees herself as the "eternal optimist who is always looking for ways to improve her small portion of the world."
High School Finalist
Carolyn Cowart - H. L. Bourgeois
Carolyn teaches Biology II. She says, "It is when we truly do our jobs, creating students that can think for themselves, can reason and make wise choices, that we can say we've been a TEACHER.
René Naquin - Terrebonne High
René teaches biology. Her philosophy of teaching revolves around rapport with students, hands-on activities, and loving the job.
