Four teachers and four principals from Southwest Louisiana have been selected as semifinalists for the state’s teacher and principal of the year honors.

Aerial Storer, of Fenton Elementary School; Kayla Hebert, of Lake Charles Charter Academy and Christopher Deon, of Rosepine High School are semifinalists for Louisiana Teacher of the Year. Spencer Butts, of Iowa High School, is a finalist for the inaugural Louisiana New Teacher of the Year Award.

Jennifer Doucet, principal at Kinder Elementary School; Mark Weldon, principal at East Beauregard High School; Jose Cobian of F.K. White Middle School in Lake Charles and Lindsey Fontenot South Cameron High School are semifinalists in the Louisiana Principal of the Year competition.

“Schools across Louisiana are beginning to make significant gains thanks to the commitment of our teachers and principals to remain focused on what matters most – improving academic outcomes,” State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Bromley said in a news release. “…They represent the many dedicated professionals leading our Louisiana Comeback.”

They are among 57 teachers and principals who will be honored July 22 during the 17th annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans.

Teachers and principals are selected based on their leadership, teaching skills, school and community leadership and commitment and dedication to students.

The selection process begins at the local level with local winners advancing to regional and state competitions. Louisiana’s overall winners will advance to national completions.