The National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT) has named Blake Touchet of North Vermillion High School and Abbeville High School, as the 2019 Louisiana Outstanding Biology Teacher winner. He will be honored at the annual conference of NABT in Chicago in November 2019.
Blake Is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, received his Master of Science in general Biology from Mississippi State University, and is currently working on a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at ULL. He has taught at North Vermillion High School for the last eight years and currently is also teaching concurrent enrollment at Abbeville High School. He was named the Teacher of the Year for North Vermillion High School for 2017-2018. Blake is a member of NABT, NSTA, Louisiana Science Teachers Association, Louisiana Educational Research Association, Louisiana Association of Educators and MSTA. He is a teacher leader adviser at the Louisiana Dept. of Education, a Teacher Corps member at the Teacher Institute for Evolutionary Science, an instructor at the Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center, and an adjunct biology instructor at South Louisiana Community College. He has presented various workshops at LSTA and A+PEL. He started and sponsors a Science Club at his school.
From letters of recommendation, “Blake is an extremely knowledgeable teacher who brings his passion for science to his students every day. He is a champion of science education who cares about the learning of every student.” “He espouses a hands-on approach to teaching and leads students in engaging inquiry activities . . . providing those crucial real-life connections for his students.” “Mr. Touchet’s classes have prepared me for my future. He helped me form great study habits that will stay with me throughout my college career. His teachings have given me a great love for science.” “Blake is a dedicated and enthusiastic biology teacher who has had a positive impact on his students and within the profession.”
“I attribute this achievement to the amazing students in Vermilion Parish who impress and inspire me everyday as well as my fellow teachers and mentors who have shared their knowledge and experience with me and shown me how to be a great teacher,” said Touchet.
“Vermilion Parish is such a great place to live and work,” Touchet stated. “I’ve spent the last few years giving workshops and speaking to science teachers across the state, and one thing that I’ve learned is that Vermilion has some of the best science teachers because we always collaborate and do what’s best for our students regardless of whatever else is going on around us. Vermilion is a family, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”
