posted Thursday, March 25th, 2010 @ 10:01 am

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Ouachita Parish Schools recently honored its teachers of the year during an annual program at the West Monroe Convention Center.

Chantay Johnson was named Elementary Teacher of the Year. She teaches third grade at A.L. Smith Elementary and has been with the district for 12 years.

Diane Roberts was selected as Middle School Teacher of the Year. She is an eighth-grade language arts teacher at Ouachita Junior High. She has been teaching for five years, two in Ouachita Parish.

High School Teacher of the Year is Maria 'Marty' Bumgart. She teaches tenth-grade English at Sterlington High School. She has taught in the district for 9 years.

The parish recognized all 36 teachers of the year in a luncheon where announcements were made of the three finalists who will represent the parish in the next phase of competition vying for Region VIII Teacher of the Year titles. In addition, the 'Top Five Contenders' were recognized at the elementary level.

Teachers underwent a stringent interview process for the parish award which mirrors the state's program for selecting Louisiana Teachers of the Year. After completing a twelve‐page application packet consisting of narrative style Q & A, the teachers presented speeches and interviewed before a panel of judges including peers, past winners, parents, and community leaders. Every panel member expressed the difficulty in choosing only one teacher at each level from the many wonderful, deserving, highly‐qualified applicants.

2010‐2011 Teachers of the Year
Chantay Johnson, A. L. Smith Elem.; Kim Neely, Boley Elem.; Terri Roberts, Calhoun Elem.; Scott Holder, Calhoun Middle; Christy Cuthbert, Central Elem.; Becky Riser, Claiborne Elem.; Sandra Miley, Crosley Elem.; Dawn Griffin, Drew Elem.; Melissa Mayfield, George Welch Elem.; Roxanna Butler, Good Hope Middle; Katie Smith, Highland Elem.; Kambra Wilkes, Jack Hayes Elem.; Carol Souther, Kiroli Elem.; Jo Alice Olin, Lakeshore Elem.; Sherry Boyte, Lenwil Elem.; Diane Roberts, Ouachita Junior High; Angelita Laws, Ouachita Parish Alternative; Rebecca Bonner, Ouachita Parish High; Debbie Smith, Pinecrest Elem.; Karen Ford, Richwood High; Gaynell Troy, Richwood Middle; Carol Reddick, Riser Elem.; Greg Cole, Riser Middle; Melinda Clingen, Riverbend Elem.; Robin Kirk, Robinson Elem.; Ruth Cooper, Shady Grove Elem.; Marty Bumgart, Sterlington High; Tonya Bagbey, Sterlington Junior High; Kim Burtram, Swartz Lower Elem.; Jean Taraba, Swartz Upper Elem.; Alton Dozier, Swayze Elem.; Sue Donohue, West Monroe High; Jim Kircus, West Ouachita High; Chris Cavin, West Ridge Middle; and Janice Brister, Woodlawn Elem.