Gail B. Gros a Response to Intervention Teacher in St. John the Baptist Parish was presented the “Educational Guiding Light Award” in recognition of Extraordinary Service in Education.  On Saturday, the fourteenth day of February, two thousand and nine, at eleven thirty in the morning, at Crowne Plaza Hotel, on 4728 Constitution Avenue, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the Greater Baton Rouge Chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. celebrated their Founders’ Day. The theme was “Extending, Service With Passion Into the Next Century”.  Ms. Gros was accompanied by family and friends to receive this prestigious award.

Gail Gros is the proud mother of two children, James Jr. and Anitra.  She began her education in the St. James Public School System and briefly attended Nicholls State University.  As a mother her family took precedence, but her desire and thirst to further her education remained.  Ms. Gros was born with a congenital eye condition which left her blind in one eye, but still a small voice kept telling her “you can do it.”

After rearing her children, she returned to Nicholls State University in 1994 as a nontraditional student and graduated with a B. A. Degree in Elementary Education in 1998.  Her degree opened many doors for her and she returned to the St. James Parish School System as a teacher so she could give back to her community.

Later, her desire grew stronger and she returned to Nicholls Sate University to pursue a Master’s Degree in Administration and Supervision.  This certification opened yet another door in Jefferson Parish School System.  Ms. Gros was named principal over the LEAP Summer Remediation Program.  Throughout her years in education, one of her educational highlights was being selected as “Teacher of the Year” for St. James Parish.

Ms. Gros feels that today’s challenges in the educational system require more dedicated educators.  She feels that teachers may be the only role models

to which children are exposed; therefore, we must strive to do the right things for the right reasons and as

a result, the leaders

of the future will be better because we took time to care as well as share.