By Emily Burleigh

Janet Levy is proud to be a teacher and resident of Southwest Louisiana.

Levy was born in New Mexico, but lived in many states as a child. “I am an Army brat,” she said. “My father served 24 years before retiring. Our family made Lake Charles our home in 1976.”

However, Levy and her family are not strangers to the area. “My mother is from Roanoke and my father is from Welsh,” she explained. “I have lived here 46 years and there is no place like Southwest Louisiana. I love it!”

Levy did not enter the school system as a teacher. During her first days, she worked as a part-time secretary at J.D. Clifton Elementary. After a number of years in her position there, the opportunity to become a teacher arose.

“One of my co-workers, Ronda Gedward, who taught the SPED self-contained class there was having to relocate to Georgia,” recounted Levy. “Her statement was that she was not going unless Levy took her class.”

During her time as a secretary, Levy took special care to interact with every student she came across. For this reason, Gedward nominated Levy to take her place.

“I really thought she was joking.  My reaction was, ‘Don’t think so!’” Levy said. “Well, never say never! I ended up taking her class, and I have loved it since then.”

Seventeen years later, Levy is still hard at work. The last 10 of those years, she has taught SPED self-contained at Washington-Marion High School. “I started in the system at J.D. Clifton Elementary and I had been with the other elementary schools until I was asked to transfer to Washington-Marion” she added. “I accepted the challenge and been there ever since.”

Previously, Levy has taught at J.D. Clifton Elementary and T.H. Watkins Elementary. She also spent time at Oak Park Elementary as a paraprofessional.

Levy remains inspired through her desire to help all students. “I am inspired by being a driving force to make a difference in a child’s life, where they can see their potential and have confidence in themselves to make achievements.”

“I love and enjoy seeing a child learn to know and feel that he or she is important.”

Levy also credits her inspiration to peer, principals, and administrators. “Who inspired me? Tamara Keys and Ronda Gedward, who have both retired after this 2022 school year,” said Levy. “I have also worked under some amazing principals and administrators who have also been very supportive and encouraging to me.”

Dolores Hicks, Betty Washington, Kay Victorian, Melinda Hardy, Robert Pete, Jackie Shelton, Wendy Hill, Gerard Semien, and Ronnie Harvey, to name a few. “What can I say? Mix them up in a Louisiana pot and you have an awesome bayou educated gumbo that is sure to make you move.”

Levy also credits Felicia Dawson, Renae Garner, and Shonitta Rallins, the team that she works alongside with now, for supporting her and her students. “If the relationship with the team works, it makes it easier to produce good outcomes for the students.”

Aspects of education that Levy enjoys not only include seeing the progression of her students’ education. She also finds joy in connecting with parents and working within a community. “I enjoy involving my parents and feeling that they know their child is in a good place and learning,” she said. “I refuse to let a school year end without having parent involvement.”

“The schools and the community need to work hand-in-hand,” said Levy. “Education helps to build awareness in the community and helps students and families to learn about resources in their own community.”

When it comes down to it, Levy’s teaching philosophies are “I am different, making a difference!” and “Love what you do and do what you love, and the results will be masterful.”

“I have come to realize I have to be and teach differently in order for my students, who all have different needs and concerns, to reach their individual goals and potentials. I want to prepare them and add something to help them in the future when they have left the classroom.”

For Levy, every day in the classroom should introduce something new to her students. There will always be something new for each and every student to learn.

Levy graduated from Lake Charles High School.

She then graduated from McNeese State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Office Systems and Business Communication, and later her special education certification.

 

She currently resides in the Lake Charles area with her husband, Frank Levy, and 3 children. Brandrick, Rezmond, and Gentrea.