2004-2005 Teachers of the Year Nominees

Ouachita Parish School System is proud to announce the 2004-2005 Teachers of the Year. The Ouachita Parish Elementary Teacher of the Year is Cheryl Gilley, a fifth grade teacher from George Welch Elementary School. The Ouachita Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year is DeEtte Quinn, an English/Language Arts teacher from Riser Middle School. And the Ouachita Parish High School Teacher of the Year is Carolyn Ann Sykes, a chemistry teacher from Ouachita Parish High School, who is also a National Board Certified Teacher.

These three teachers will now compete in the next level of competition for Regional Teacher of the Year in each category. The finalists named in the Regional Teacher of the Year competition will then be interviewed at the state level for the coveted title of Louisiana’s Teacher of the Year.

All of the nominees for Ouachita Parish Teacher of the Year were celebrated in a reception held at the top of the ULM Library on August 17. The evening was co-hosted by the West Monroe/West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, University of Louisiana at Monroe, and the Ouachita Parish School Board. Local businesses donated gifts presented to the nominees. The Adopt-A-School Task Force coordinated the ceremony.

2004-2005 Teachers of the Year Winners

Dr. Robert Webber, Superintendent, commented on the event, “All thirty-seven teachers recognized are winners. I am very proud of them. Just to be chosen at their schools by their peers for this nomination speaks highly of them. The top three teachers named will serve as wonderful representatives of Ouachita Parish in the next phases of competition. I know we can bring the state title home again this year."

Nominees for Ouachita Parish Elementary Teacher of the Year were: Mary Lou Priestley, A.L. Smith Elementary; Connie Ducote, Boley Elementary; Kathy Hattaway, Calhoun Elementary; Don’a Delgado, Central Elementary; Teddie Bailey, Claiborne Elementary; Kitty Head, Crosley Elementary; Vicki Sullivan, Drew Elementary; Cheryl Gilley, George Welch; Cheryl Frost, Highland Elementary; Audrey Hudnall, Jack Hayes Elementary; Chantay Johnson, Kiroli Elementary; Jane Stewart, Lakeshore Elementary; Carolyn Harden, Lenwil Elementary; Hope Love, Riser Elementary; Mary Fuglaar, Riverbend Elementary; Wanda Oatis, Robinson Elementary; Robin Pierce, Shady Grove Elementary; Dee Robinson, Swartz Lower Elementary; Carine Dixon, Swartz Upper Elementary; Marquita Bowman, Swayze Elementary, and Kathy Sims, Woodlawn Elementary.

Candidates for the Ouachita Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year were Jana McCandlish, Calhoun Middle; Denise Green, Good Hope Middle; Jackie Walters, Ouachita Junior High; Terry Herring, Ouachita Parish Expulsion Center; Lamar Cranston, Pinecrest Middle; DeEtte Quinn, Riser Middle; Lesa Cannon, Richwood Middle; Mary Linda Rocconi, Sterlington Middle; Jamie Burgess, West Ridge Middle; and Dan Dallalio, Woodlawn Middle.

High School Teacher of the Year nominees were Kathy King, Ouachita Parish Alternative Center; Carolyn Sykes, Ouachita Parish High; Ollie Taylor, Richwood High; Thomas Hankins, Sterlington High, Mary Clark, West Monroe High; and Nicki Peace, West Ouachita High.