Two Harry Hurst Middle School employees were recently awarded for excellence in their respective fields – Dr. David Schexnaydre Jr., the leader of HMS, was named SCPPS Principal of the Year and School Counselor Tina Chaisson was named the 2021 Louisiana Middle School Counselor of the Year.
Schexnaydre is a home-grown talent and graduate of Destrehan High School. He began his career as a teacher and coach at R.K. Smith Middle School in 2005 and was named the R.K. Smith Teacher of the Year in 2009 and the Louisiana Middle School Association’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2011. He then served as an assistant principal at J.B. Martin Middle School and DHS prior to his appointment as principal at HMS in 2018.
Schexnaydre obtained his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University in 2005, his master’s degree 2010 and a Ph.D. in 2016 from the University of New Orleans.
He was honored at the Principal of the Year Spotlight Soirée on November 18.
“He is a remarkable principal who moves forward with faith to take action,” Superintendent Dr. Ken Oertling said at the ceremony. “He is not comfortable with the status quo or resting on his laurels … he is also a caring, servant leader who never compromises values or principles in the face of adversity or unrelenting changes. He maintains a strong collaborative culture while listening to students, teachers, parents, his administrative team and district leaders for a shared vision of student success.”
Schexnaydre will now represent the school system in the state competition.
Chaisson’s accolade comes from the Louisiana School Counselor Association.
She began her career as a math teacher in 1997, and since 1999 has served as a counselor in many different capacities, including as a school counselor at J.B. Martin Middle School.
Chaisson received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and her Masters of Psychological Counseling as well as her Certification of Guidance Counseling from Nicholls State University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Supervisor for Professional Counselors and Mediator for Family and Divorce.
She is a professional member of the American School Counseling Association and the Louisiana Counseling Association, and has served on committees such as the St. Charles Parish Children and Youth Board, Creative Family Solutions Board and has been named the Valero Volunteer of the Year Board Member.
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