For today’s #SundaySpotlight, the Lafourche Schools Spotlight shines brightly on Louanna Esponge.
Louanna has been a passionate paraprofessional with the Lafourche Parish School District for 19 years, working in several schools and settings, including SPED, intervention, library and in-school suspension.
She was selected as Outstanding School Support Employee an incredible three times: at Lockport Lower Elementary in 2001, Central Lafourche High School in 2011 and Raceland Middle School in 2021. She was recently named the recipient of the 2026 Outstanding Paraeducator Award by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. Louanna will be recognized later this week at CEC’s annual special education convention in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“Mrs. Esponge is a truly invaluable asset to Raceland Middle School and to our district,” said teacher RMS teacher Tyler Dufrene, who nominated her for the national award. “She brings not only skill and professionalism to her role but also demonstrates a deep compassion for the students she serves. Her commitment to students with disabilities is evident in the countless ways she goes above and beyond, such as tailoring instructional support to meet individual needs, fostering confidence and independence, and collaborating closely with teachers and families to ensure every child has the opportunity.”
“Louanna radiates positivity in her role as ISS paraprofessional,” said RMS principal Karen Osborne. “She is a child advocate and maintains wonderful rapport with the students that she comes into contact with daily. She represents RMS by doing things the right way - the Raceland Way, where hard work and effort are what she displays.”
Please join us in congratulating Louanna on this prestigious award. We are so grateful for her two decades of dedicated service and the impact she has on the students of the Lafourche Parish School District.
#lpsdproud #SchoolSuperstar