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Educators recognized Monday

LAE award winners Cutrer, Abshire; new LAE Board member WIlridge applauded

Jeannine LeJeune
Online Editor
Crowley Post-Signal

While the Acadia Parish School Board is always excited to congratulate its students, Monday night it had an opportunity to thank and applaud several of its educators.
Acadia Association of Educators President Donna Wilridge was proud to announce that three of the five Louisiana Association of Educators’ award winners this year came from Acadia Parish.
“I know you’ve seen me sitting here several times quietly as a concerned grandmother, educator and member of the community,” she said. “Today, I’m here to represent the Louisiana Association of Educators.
“I’m very proud to say, that Mr. (John) Bourque, you have great employees.”
A retired educator from Crowley, Mary Washington, was presented the 2016 Friend of Education Award. This award is presented to an outstanding individual who has had a statewide impact on the improvement of public education, the education profession or on the lives of children in Louisiana.
Ross Elementary School Principal Paula Cutrer was awarded the 2016 Administrator Image Award. Cutrer was recognized by LAE for her outstanding advancement of the image of public school principals and other school administrators.
“Thank you for allowing me to represent (the parish),” she said. “It was truly an honor to represent Acadia.”
Cutrer was excited to thank her faculty and staff, many of which traveled to the LAE conference earlier this month in support.
“Ross Elementary has worked very hard to achieve so many accomplishments,” she said.
The 2016 Education Support Professional Image Award was presented to Linda Abshire. Abshire is a resource paraeducator at Rayne High. The ESP Image Award is presented annually to an outstanding public school support professional for the work they do to impact the lives of students and lift up the perception of ESPs.
“I love the kids I work for,” said Abshire. “I think God has given me a gift.”
Wilridge introduced Cutrer and Abshire Monday night and was also recognized for her election to the LAE Board of Directors. Wilridge was chosen to represent the third district, seat C, for the association. Wilridge will represent Acadia, Vermilion, St. Landry, Evangeline, Jeff Davis and Calcasieu parishes.
Wilridge is a first grade teacher at Church Point Elementary School.
And, though Election Day isn’t until Nov. 8, two men seeking separate offices spoke to the board and those in attendance Monday night.
Supreme Court Judge candidate Judge Jimmy Genovese spoke of his long history of family in the school system. He spoke of the importance of reading and writing and civics as well. Genovese talked about a changing of the guard that will happen on Nov. 8, not only his election, but one for Congress, another for Senate and even the president’s race.
Greg Ellison, candidate for U.S. Congress, District 3, also spoke Monday night. The seat is being left open by U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany Jr., MD, R-Lafayette, in his bid for U.S. Senate. Ellison spoke to the board about his family’s background in education, and also about his wife’s work with the Lafayette Parish School System. Ellison elaborated on the importance of this November’s election as well.
Following committee meetings on Monday, May 16, the full board will meet on Monday, June 6.

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