For today’s #SundaySpotlight, the Lafourche Schools Spotlight is on the dream team of Alayne Joffrion and Terry Degruise.
Alayne and Terry work together as the elementary curriculum specialists for the district and have a combined 60 years of experience between them. Alayne has been with the district for 23 years and Terry for 37.
Alayne graduated from Thibodaux High School and earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Reading Specialist from Nicholls State University. She earned National Board Certification in 2007 and was nominated as Teacher of the Year at Thibodaux Elementary in 2015.
Terry was valedictorian of her graduating class at H.L. Bourgeois High School and continued her education at Nicholls State University where she graduated magna cum laude with her Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and earned a Master of Education degree with honors (4.0 GPA) in Administration and Supervision. She was Thibodaux Elementary’s Teacher of the Year in 2008.
“Trying to decide who to nominate for the employee spotlight was impossible because choosing just one of these ladies simply cannot be done,” said Ann Hodson, LPSD’s recently retired Director of Elementary Education, who nominated the pair for the Spotlight. “They come as a package deal. Think Laverne and Shirley, Batman and Robin, Timon and Pumbaa. When you think of one, you automatically think of the other.”
“They are hands-down the most dynamic duo in the elementary world. Both pour their hearts into our district, and their influence stretches from one end of our elementary classrooms to another,” Hodson added. “They may work quietly behind the scenes, but the results are loud and clear: stronger teachers, better learning, and healthy classrooms because of their dedication and passion for the teacher profession. I am beyond proud to nominate Alayne and Terry for our district spotlight - two amazing educators who are simply better together.”
Terry says she chose a career in education for one simple reason: to teach children.
“I always loved school and loved learning new things,” she said. “I wanted to be able to continue to be a part of that by being the person that could inspire students to have a lifelong love for learning.”
“When I was in the classroom, I most enjoyed when I could get students to get excited about learning which led them to be self-motivated and ask questions,” Terry shared. “Now as I work with adults, I love nothing better than to have deep discussions about curriculum, best practices in the classroom, and how to best support instruction. When we can bounce ideas off of each other and make each other think in new ways, I get very excited.”
Inspired by her own teachers, Alayne says she felt called to the profession from a very early age.
“Since I was little, I thoroughly enjoyed 'teaching' anyone who was nearby. My grandmother, cousins, baby dolls and stuffed animals were some of the lucky recipients of my passion for teaching and learning early on,” Alayne shared. “I am so thankful that they allowed me to mimic my wonderful teachers throughout the years and develop this love for teaching through ‘playing school.’ This play turned into a passion for teaching children...helping them to grow and learn, meet goals, and become the best that they could be!”
Alayne says the relationships she’s forged over her years in education have had a lasting impact on her and reaffirm her commitment to the profession.
“Each year that I was able to form positive relationships with students and see them grow and learn added to my passion for teaching and learning,” she said. “I treasure each and every student, teacher, and administrator that I have been blessed to work with throughout the years. They have all shaped my career and had a lasting impact on my life.”
With a combined six decades of educational expertise, this powerhouse pair embodies our district’s mission of “Developing Lifelong Learners.” We are incredibly fortunate to have such passionate educators working collaboratively to ensure our students and teachers become the best they can be. Please join us in thanking Alayne and Terry for their tireless service and their commitment to the teachers and children of Lafourche Parish.
#lpsdproud #SchoolSuperstar