Ouachita Parish School System is proud to announce our 2023-24 New Teachers of the Year for the district. These teachers are in their first year not only in the district, but in their careers.
The Elementary School Teacher of the Year is Samantha Valentine, a third grade reading teacher from Woodlawn Elementary.
“Being a teacher is about making small differences in a student’s life that will help shape them into the person they will become when they leave the classroom,” Valentine said. “I decided to become an educator, not because of the paycheck number or the feeling I have after teaching an amazing lesson, but because of the impact I could make in just one student’s life.”
Mrs. Valentine graduated this past May with her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Louisiana Tech University. She spent her residency in the Ouachita Parish School System at Drew Elementary with second grade teacher Mrs. Alicia Renaud.
“From the beginning of her residency, it was evident that she possessed a natural ability to connect with her students and create a learning environment that fosters that only academic growth but also personal development,” Mrs. Renaud said. “She has an innate ability to make each child feel valued and capable of accomplishing any task set before them. Samantha’s encouragement and positive reinforcement contribute significantly to a classroom atmosphere where students feel empowered and motivated.”
Mrs. Valentine is part of the Student Appreciation Team at Woodlawn and is a Life Group leader at First West Baptist Church. She is a native of Benton, Louisiana and graduated from Benton High School with a 4.0 GPA.
“I first met Mrs. Samantha {Sami) Valentine at our 2023 Job Fair,” said Woodlawn Principal Jane Biggs. “Her enthusiasm for teaching was immediately evident and contagious. Throughout our conversation, it became obvious that she possesses a true passion for kids, teaching, and learning. To say that I thought I had won the lottery when I was able to hire her as the third-grade ELA teacher is an understatement.”
The New Teacher of the Year program through the Louisiana Department of Education recognizes and celebrates some of the state’s most exceptional new educators. These candidates reflect excellence and expertise in the field, guiding students of all backgrounds and abilities to achieve success.
Mrs. Valentine will now advance to the state-level competition, which will take place in Spring 2024.
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