Fontenot earns spot for State Principal of the Year

Cheri Fontenot, principal of James Stephens Montessori School, has been named as one of three finalists for State Elementary Principal of the Year. Superintendent Toni Hamlin, along with Assistant Superintendent Darwan Lazard, Evangeline Parish School Board Teacher and Principal of the Year Coordinator Grace Sibley, and District Elementary Supervisor Linda Lafleur, surprised Fontenot with the wonderful news Tuesday morning, May 26. After greeting Fontenot with flowers and the news, Hamlin addressed the school over the intercom, and teachers and students came out of their classrooms applauding and cheering for their “Miss Cheri.”
Fontenot was overcome with excitement at the announcement, thanking the teachers, staff and students because she said, “This honor is not about me. It is about us as a great team.” She added, “One person can’t have this great impact on the students. It takes a great support team, and I will do my best to shine in Baton Rouge and show them how wonderful our school, teachers, staff and students are.”
The journey to this honor began with Fontenot being named district and then regional principal of the year. As part of the nomination process, Sibley stated “Fontenot provided irrefutable, documented evidence of impact on students’ success through involvement of teachers, para-educators, parents, family, and community as valued partners at the school.”
Hamlin said of the achievement, “I am truly honored to announce that Ms. Cheri Fontenot is one of the three finalists in the elementary division for state principal of the year. It was four years ago that I approached Ms. Cheri concerning the principalship of JSM. I recognized qualities in her that are crucial to moving a school forward: commitment to all students; curriculum knowledge; leadership and communication skills; and a strong work ethic. Over the last four years, JSM has continued to excel in its academic progress and is ranked as an ‘A’ school by the Louisiana Department of Education. We are so proud of her accomplishments and those of her dedicated staff.”
Fontenot has to respond to an essay question by Monday, June 1, attend a Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) meeting on June 16, and participate in final state interviews on June 17th and 18th. She and Brandi Marcantel (State Elementary Teacher of the Year semi-finalist) of Vidrine Elementary School will attend the ceremony in Baton Rouge on Saturday, July 11, where state teacher and principal of the year finalists will be announced at an evening gala celebrating and honoring them.