Jennifer Brock, a teacher at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School, has been named a semi-finalist for 2018 Louisiana Teacher of the Year.
Brock is one of just 24 teachers from across the state to receive this honor. The educators chosen as semi-finalist are making exceptional gains with students, pushing them to achieve at the highest levels in the state, according to the Louisiana Department of Education.
“Ms. Brock has consistently moved her students,” LPE Principal Jason Beber said. “Her data consistently shows progress with ALL of her students, even the most difficult ones. She wrote a grant this year for Reflex Math because she realized her struggling students still needed help. She has a ‘whatever it takes’ attitude when it comes to her students’ growth.”
Brock has been a fourth-grade teacher at LPE for 10 years. She currently teaches math to three sections of fourth-graders and is the 504 coordinator, instructional coach and fourth-grade chairperson. Brock is also a district teacher leader, helping to lead professional development, creating assessments and writing scope and sequences for the district’s curriculum.
She is also the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District Elementary Teacher of the Year.
“Ms. Brock is the mold of what a teacher can be and should be, and what principals hope to duplicate amongst their staff. She has a deep desire for learning and sharing her newfound knowledge with her colleagues and students. She goes above and beyond not only for her school, but for her district,” Beber said. “We are privileged and honored to have her at ‘The Nest’ and we are extremely proud that Ms. Brock will represent the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School System at the state level.”
Each year, school districts throughout the state submit their Teachers of the Year for consideration for the statewide honor. This is the fourth consecutive year a St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District Teacher has been named a semi-finalist for the award.
The Louisiana Department of Education, in conjunction with Dream Teachers, will announce the finalists for the annual award in May.
All Louisiana Teacher of the Year finalists and semi-finalists will be honored at the 11th Annual Cecil. J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium and Celebration on July 28 at the Crowne Plaza Executive Center in Baton Rouge, during which the Louisiana Teacher of the Year will be announced.