Ouachita Parish Schools announces New Teachers of the Year

Ouachita Parish Schools is pleased to announce the district winners for New Teacher of the Year.

The winners are:

Elementary – Jade Carroll, 5th Grade, ELA and Social Studies, Riverbend Elementary School

Middle – Amber Walsworth, 6th Grade, Special Education, East Ouachita Middle School

High – Aaron Josey, 10th Grade, ELA and pre-AP English, West Ouachita High School

The New Teacher of the Year program recognizes and celebrates some of the state’s most exceptional new educators. This program provides an opportunity to acknowledge those new teachers who are already demonstrating excellence in the classroom and their commitment to student success that exemplifies Louisiana’s teaching profession.

Ms. Jade Carroll, Riverbend Elementary

Ms. Carroll graduated from ULM with her Bachelor of Arts degree in 2023. She majored in psychology and is now pursuing a Master of Science degree with a major in Applied Behavior Analysis.

“As a first-year teacher, I entered the classroom knowing I want to teach more than content. I want to teach the *whole child*,” Carroll wrote as part of her New Teacher of the Year application. “Louisiana’s vision for education emphasizes not only high-quality academic instruction but also equitable access, emotional safety, and meaningful relationships. These priorities are alive in my classroom every day. I hold high expectations but pair them with empathy and understanding. My classroom is a place where rigorous learning meets unconditional love.”

Mrs. Amber Walsworth, East Ouachita Middle

Mrs. Walsworth graduated from ULM with her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education with a concentration in English.

“In my classroom, my biggest impact I have made so far is being able to walk students through their mistakes, helping them learn from them, and use them for better outcomes in the future,” Walsworth wrote as part of her New Teacher of the Year application. “Normalizing mistakes and growth allows kids to be kids while teaching them foundations to improve maturity and become stronger individuals at school and outside of the classroom.”

Ms. Aaron Josey, West Ouachita High

Ms. Josey graduated from Mississippi State University with a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education. She is also a West Ouachita alumnus, graduating in 2020.

“I want each and every (student) to know I believe they can and will achieve anything they set out to do,” Josey wrote as part of her New Teacher of the Year application. “My determination to be a great teacher comes from years of experiencing kindness and determination from great teachers.  

One of my biggest rules in my classroom is for everyone to be kind. I believe that is one of the keyways to create a safe learning environment.”

All three New Teachers of the Year were recognized at the November board meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 12. They now advance to the state competition and will learn if they are a state finalist in the spring.