For today’s #SundaySpotlight, the Lafourche Schools Spotlight is on Alicia Melancon.
Alicia is a special education instructional coach homebased at W. S. Lafargue Elementary School, but she also provides support services for seven other elementary schools, including Chackbay, C.M. Washington, St. Charles, Raceland Lower, Lockport Lower, Bayou Blue Lower and Bayou Blue Upper. She has been with Lafourche Parish School District for 24 of her 26 years in education and has been honored as Teacher of the Year three times.
She graduated from E. D. White Catholic High School in 1995 and Nicholls State University in December 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in communicative disorders. She earned her master’s degree in early childhood education (regular and special education certification) from NSU in 2003.
“Alicia is the PAC support coach for inclusion. She gives 100% to every school that she goes to,” said LauraMae Zeringue, principal of WSL, who nominated Alicia for the Spotlight. “She is always willing to guide or help everyone involved in the process of an IEP. She treats these kids as if they were one of her own and she refuses to settle for anything less than the BEST for them.”
“Alicia represents our district in a professional and positive manner,” added Alyce Callahan, special education instruction support manager. “She demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting students, teachers, and families. Her knowledge and positive attitude reflect well on our special education department and help strengthen the trust and partnership between schools and district leadership.”
Alicia is passionate about being a voice for special needs students, and her work in this area has had a lasting impact on her. One particularly impactful moment occurred while she was working with a student with many physical and cognitive challenges.
“My speech therapist supervisor and I worked one-on-one with this student on many aspects of his daily life,” Alicia shared. “After many trials of getting him to push an ‘all done’ communication button, he finally was able to communicate with us appropriately. In that moment, I realized that truly ALL students can be successful in their own way. We, as the adults, need to adjust our thinking and learn how to help all students become successful.”
Please join us in thanking Alicia for her many years of dedicated service to the children of the Lafourche Parish School District and for her unwavering commitment to helping every student achieve success.
#lpsdproud #SchoolSuperstar