Two exemplary Bossier Parish educators received exciting news from the Louisiana Department of Education that they are advancing as semifinalists for State Teacher and Principal of the Year.
Leigh Machen is a ninth grade English Pre-AP teacher at Benton High School and has been chosen as a Louisiana Teacher of the Year semifinalist. Machen is a 23-year educator with two Master’s degrees, one in Educational Leadership and the other in Clinical Mental Health. She is also a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC), which has transformed her role as an educator by prioritizing mental health and inspiring the “Easy to Love” movement that is credited with changing school culture, specifically how teachers view and teach challenging students.
Alyshia Coulson, who is in her 10th year as Principal of Bellaire Elementary School, has been named a semifinalist for Louisiana Principal of the Year. Coulson also serves on the Louisiana Association of Principals executive board and is a graduate of the Louisiana Superintendents Academy. Under Coulson’s leadership, Bellaire has seen tremendous gains in math proficiency and the percentage of students reaching benchmark on the K-3 Literacy Assessment.
“We could not be more proud of these two extraordinary educators, whose passion and dedication shine in everything they do,” said Bossier Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland. “Ms. Machen and Mrs. Coulson embody the very best of our profession and are more than deserving of being recognized as top educators in the state. All of us at Bossier Schools are thrilled to celebrate their achievements and will be cheering them on at the state level.”
Finalists for Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year will be announced in May at the Teacher Leader Summit in New Orleans. All honorees will be recognized and the overall Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year winners will be announced in July at the 20th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Gala.