HHS’ Baudot top high school teacher

Hanhville High School teacher Amanda Baudot has been named the 2013 Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year.

Baudot has worked at Hahnville as an English teacher for the past seven years.

She credits her upbringing as part of her success as a teacher.

"I am lucky enough to come from a strong bloodline of enthusiastic and dedicated teachers, and my mom, Deborah Unger, is also a teacher at HHS in the English department," Baudot wrote. "She was also my English teacher in high school (Andrew Jackson Fundamental Magnet High School in Chalmette), and I know that all of my natural instincts come directly from her."

Dr. Rodney Lafon, Superintendent of St. Charles Parish Public Schools, said Baudot is a testament to what the school system is about.

"She seems to be one of those teachers that puts kids first and makes them think about everybody being a team," he said. "In other words it’s not just the teachers, it’s not just the students - it’s everybody sharing their ideas and their experiences that helps everyone make connections."

Lafon said he hopes to see Baudot stay with the school system "for a long time."

Baudot gave credit to her students for the award.

"I learn everyday along with my students," Baudot said. "I admire their insights, feed off their energy and enjoy their company. Without them, I wouldn’t have had a chance winning Teacher of the Year at my school let alone at the state level."

"It’s a pretty involved process so to be called the Louisiana High School Teacher of the Year is pretty good," Lafon said. "It’s a long process they put them through."

The last time a St. Charles Parish teacher won High School Teacher of the Year was Destrehan High’s Dawn Jacobi in 2004. Since then the school system has had two state middle school teachers of the year.

In addition to working full-time as a teacher, Baudot is also currently enrolled as a graduate student in Literature at the University of New Orleans.