Vermilion Parish names Teachers of the Year

Many have said that teaching is not a job but a calling.
Three educators in Vermilion Parish earn the honor of being called Teachers of the Year each year.
The Vermilion Parish School System recently announced Dozier Elementary School’s Mikel LeBlanc, North Vermilion Middle School’s Emily Miller, and North Vermilion High School’s Jonah Slason as this year’s honorees.
LeBlanc is a fourth-grade teacher at Dozier.
“Winning this award leaves me speechless as I am so grateful to receive this honor,” LeBlanc said. “Teaching is one of the greatest joys of my life, and it is extra special that I can teach in both the school and district I attended as a child. Representing Vermilion Parish is the honor of a lifetime because I feel so indebted to the wonderful educators who have impacted my life over the years and those who continue to impact it today.”
LeBlanc said she feels her passion for education helped her earn this recognition.
“Because I am so passionate,” LeBlanc said, “I put my heart daily into teaching. Teaching is so much more than a job to me; it’s building personal connections with each child; it’s teaching students new concepts and watching the light bulb go off when they finally make a connection with a concept they had previously struggled with; it’s holding them to high expectations and reminding them every chance you get how wonderful you think they are and how much you adore them; it’s seeing their reaction when you show up on a Saturday morning to cheer them on at their games and extracurriculars because you are one of their biggest fans. In addition to my passion for education, I am constantly making instructional decisions that support the diverse learners in my classroom and their individual needs while allowing them to make real-world connections, as well.”
Dozier Elementary Principal Andrea Ford agreed that LeBlanc’s passion for what she does is overflowing.
“Ms. Mikel has demonstrated an unparalleled passion and love for our students that truly sets her apart,” Ford said. “She exemplifies dedication and devotion to providing high-quality instruction that exceeds our expectations. Her commitment to shaping the minds and hearts of our students is truly noteworthy. One of Ms. Mikel’s exceptional qualities is fostering a culture of trust and love within her classroom. This positive environment directly influences student learning and creates a supportive atmosphere where our students flourish. Her impact reaches far beyond the confines of the classroom, leaving an everlasting mark on the lives of our little Bobcats.
“We are blessed to have Ms. Mikel as a member of our Dozier family. Her passion for education and unwavering dedication are an inspiration to us all. She is a true asset, and we are fortunate to witness her positive influence on our students.”
Miller is an 8th-grade social studies teacher who also works with the yearbook.
“I am completely overwhelmed with gratitude for being named Teacher of the Year,” Miller said. “We have so many amazing teachers in Vermilion Parish that go above and beyond for our students, so to be chosen by other educators who inspire me daily is a great honor.”
Miller focuses every day on being an inspiration to her students.
“I try to push my students to be the best version of themselves that they can be,” Miller said. “I try to offer them real-life experiences in the context of our Social Studies curriculum and make the learning relevant to them. When they feel that there is significance in learning what I am teaching them, they become much more invested in their education and success.
“I try to make sure the students enjoy coming to school every day and that learning is fun for them.”
Miller, who began student teaching at NVMS in 2019 and came on full-time a year later, credited the school’s administration and staff for cultivating an environment where success is possible. Principal Gina Davidson said on behalf of the administration that Miller is an integral part of what makes everything work.
“Exemplary, excellence and exceptional are but a few words to describe Emily Miller,” Davidson said. “She is a compassionate teacher who puts her students first. Emily is determined to meet the various needs of her students while building relationships and encouraging independence and growth among them. She is respected among her peers, offers an open-door policy to anyone wanting to observe her engaging teaching strategies, and collaborates with others to develop a strong team. Emily works hard to make North Vermilion Middle School the best it can be. All of these qualities that she possesses led to her coworkers’ nomination as the North Vermilion Middle School Teacher of the Year. We are so excited that the Vermilion Parish School System has chosen Emily to represent the parish as the Vermilion Parish Middle School Teacher of the Year.
“She is a class act.”
In Slason’s class, there’s no acting but plenty of singing. Slason has led the North Vermilion choir program for the past 10 years.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be chosen as Vermilion Parish’s Teacher of the Year!” Slason exclaimed.
One can point to how Slason has earned the honor by bringing the best out of his students.
“One of the main focuses of my choir program is developing confidence through musicianship,” Slason said. “My students are constantly being pushed outside their comfort zone and motivated to do more in their extracurricular hours than just staring at a screen. The Choir students at North Vermilion are given opportunities to work on solos for our performances, honor choir auditions that happen all over Acadiana, sing for community events such as community festivals, nursing homes, sporting events, Veterans Day programs, and more, all while using teamwork to foster personal confidence. The phrase, ‘we’re only as strong as our weakest link,’ is true in our Choir as my students know that we must encourage each other and constantly work together to create music that blends with colorful harmony. We have daily lessons in leadership, as some students lead activities, patience, as some students are more advanced than others, and confidence, as singing is the one instrument we carry with us as a part of ourselves.”
North Vermilion Principal Denise Lotief is constantly amazed by what she sees from Slason.
“He is truly great,” Lotief said. “I’m so impressed that he can take a group of kids and build such a great program. More than teaching music, he is teaching kids to believe in themselves. Teaches them to be brave enough to perform.
“It’s a great thing to witness.”