For today’s #SundaySpotlight, the Lafourche Schools Spotlight is on Celeste Plaisance.
Celeste is the assistant principal of W.S. Lafargue Elementary School in Thibodaux. She has been an employee of the Lafourche Parish School District for 27 of her 28 years in education and was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2010.
Celeste graduated from E. D. White Catholic High School in 1993 and Nicholls State University in 1997 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education Grades 1-8. She received her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from NSU in 2008.
“She has been here throughout her career,” said LauraMae Zeringue, WSL’s new principal, who nominated Celeste for the Spotlight. “As a new principal, she has been so helpful and welcoming. Her knowledge and heart for the school is HUGE. Her responsibilities include discipline, transportation, crisis, PBIS, and more. I am very lucky to have her by my side!”
Celeste says one of the most rewarding parts of being an educator is watching students and teachers grow.
“Education is one of the few fields where you can make a real, lasting impact on someone's life. Being a small part of their journey is deeply rewarding,” she said. “Watching students grow intellectually, emotionally or socially is one of the most fulfilling parts of my job. Whether it is witnessing a student understand something for the first time or seeing a teacher making a breakthrough, it is all so gratifying.”
Good teachers can inspire their students in many different ways, but educators like Celeste often find unexpected inspiration in the children they teach.
“There was one student in particular who left a lasting impact on me. He was respectful, kind and intelligent; however, he was dealing with some very challenging circumstances at home. I eventually took him under my wing and tried my best to support him during his middle school years,” Celeste shared. “When he moved on to high school, I wondered if I had done enough. Four years later I received his high school graduation invitation, and four years after that, his college graduation invitation. This time a handwritten note was included. He thanked me for believing in him and for pushing him to be the best version of himself. He now inspires me to do the same.”
Please join us in thanking Celeste for nearly three decades of service to the Lafourche Parish School District. Her unwavering dedication and commitment have truly made a difference in the lives of countless students and teachers.
#lpsdproud #SchoolSuperstar