News Post
Teacher Honored by LFLTA
Leigh Grace Rouyer, who teaches Latin at St. Joseph’s Academy, has been named Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Foreign Language Teachers’ Association (LFLTA). Rouyer was honored at the 2022 LFLTA Conference awards ceremony at the conclusion of this year’s conference, held January 14-15 at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Park.
The Teacher of the Year award is intended to elevate the status and public profile of the language profession in the state of Louisiana by recognizing accomplished members. Rouyer was nominated for the award by her SJA colleagues.
Once nominated, Rouyer compiled a multi-faceted portfolio of recommendations as well as samples of student work and commentaries on her teaching style and pedagogy. In December, she learned she was one of the finalists. She was interviewed by the awards committee during the Christmas break, with the announcement of her honor coming at the LFLTA Conference.
“I am extremely humbled to receive this honor, but the most touching part has been knowing that so many of my colleagues nominated me for it,” Rouyer said. “Obviously, it is amazing to win, but having the support and encouragement from my friends and coworkers who believe in me and want to acknowledge what I do, that’s what means the most. It’s exciting.”
Academy Principal Stacia Andricain said Rouyer is a wonderful teacher and mentor to her students. “She is dedicated to the advancement of foreign language studies and to the mission of our school,” Andricain said. “She is innovative in the classroom and aspires to give her students every opportunity to become life-long learners and grow in their critical-thinking skills. Leigh Grace is a valuable member of the faculty of St. Joseph’s Academy, and we are proud to celebrate with her as the Louisiana Foreign Language Teacher of the Year.”
As the statewide winner, Rouyer will advance to the 2023 Southern Conference on Language Teaching convention as Louisiana’s nominee for regional Teacher of the Year recognition.
Mindy Brodhead Averitt
Communications Director
Photos courtesy of Alan Lecoq and Ghedy Matus