Three Acadiana educators have been named finalists for state Teacher and Principal of the Year honors.
Pamela Sorensson, an English teacher at Carencro High in Lafayette Parish and Carrie Varino, a teacher at Abbeville High in Vermilion Parish were named finalists for the teacher award, and Vermilion Parish's Rachelle Brown, prinicipal of Leblanc Elementary, was named a finalist for the principal award.
The announcements were made virtually today. The 18 finalists are from across the state, and winners will be selected later this year, and announced at a virtual awards ceremony.
"Congratulations to all of the finalists who are deserving of this incredible honor," said First Lady Donna Edwards. "Your excellence and dedication to your students and profession are commendable. As we've experienced the challenges of this year, it has become even more evident that having good educators is essential to the future of our students and our state."
2021 TEACHER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Kate Youngblood, Benjamin Franklin High School
Nathalie Roy, East Baton Rouge Parish
Pamela Sorensson, Lafayette Parish
Trinette Wallace, Lafourche Parish
Babylyn Abogado, Madison Parish
William (Hunter) Harris, Morehouse Parish
Bridget Berry, Pointe Coupee Parish
Angelle Bourgeois, St. Charles Parish
Carrie Varino, Vermilion Parish
2021 PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR FINALISTS
Bossier Parish, Kimmie Smith
Caldwell Parish, James Wells
Collegiate Academies, Jerel Bryant
Jefferson Parish, Jason Beber
Rapides Parish, Dennis Stewart
Sabine Parish, Jarrad Rivers
St. Tammany Parish, Sheri Jones
Vermilion Parish, Rachelle Brown
Vernon Parish, Alnata Bradford
