LAPLACE — The St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District has named Kelley Thompson the District Middle School Teacher of the Year.

Thompson has been a teacher at Lake Pontchartrain Elementary School since 2007.

“Ms. Thompson is an exemplary model of a teacher and leader that is committed to building relationships, making new learning relevant and fun, and providing the necessary rigor required to meet every student’s needs,” LPE Principal Shelly Chauvin said. “Her high expectations and friendly demeanor make her truly an amazing teacher.

She worked as a special education teacher for three years before she began teaching sixth- through eighth-grade English and social studies, which she has done for the past nine years. She is currently in her second year as a mentor teacher for LPE.

For the past seven years, she has sponsored the LPE Student Council, helping students make yearly donations to organizations that support cancer research and support.

She is currently the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) team leader and has been part of that team for the past five years. Thompson also organizes the school level social studies fair.

Throughout her time at LPE, she has sponsored the dance team, cheer teams and 4-H club, served as spelling bee coordinator and been a grade level chair.

Thompson earned her bachelor’s from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she studied social studies and English education.

She also holds a master’s degree in history and has been a part of the Southeastern Louisiana Writing Project and The Olga Lengyel Institute for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights programs.