BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Three educators from the Greater Baton Rouge area were named among Louisiana’s best on Friday night during the 19th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala.
The Louisiana Department of Education and Dream Teachers hosted an event to honor the state’s top teachers and school leaders. They announced the 2026 Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year. Early childhood and new teacher honorees were also recognized.
This year’s overall state winners are:
- Teacher of the Year: Regena Hartley Beard (Zachary Community School District)
- Principal of the Year: Justin Wax (Livingston Parish)
- Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Brooklynn Johnson-Botley (Allen Parish)
- Early Childhood Leader of the Year: Devonda Whittington-Warren (Tangipahoa Parish)
- New Teacher of the Year: Olivia Francois (Ascension Parish)
“Student success doesn’t happen by accident. It takes talented, determined educators who are focused on results,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley…