NEW ORLEANS, LA) - The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE), in partnership with Dream Teachers, honored the state’s most outstanding educators at the 19th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala tonight at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. The evening featured the announcement of the 2026 Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year, as well as the Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year, and New Teacher of the Year.
The following educators were named 2026 overall state honorees:
- Louisiana Teacher of the Year: Regena Hartley Beard | Zachary Community School District
- Louisiana Principal of the Year: Justin Wax | Livingston Parish
- Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Brooklynn Johnson-Botley | Allen Parish
- Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year: Devonda Whittington-Warren | Tangipahoa Parish
- Louisiana New Teacher of the Year: Olivia Francois | Ascension Parish
“Student success doesn’t happen by accident. It takes talented, determined educators who are focused on results,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley. “The professionals we honored tonight are leading the charge behind Louisiana’s academic progress.”
Louisiana Teacher of the Year
Regena Hartley Beard teaches fifth-grade science and sixth-grade robotics and STEM at Copper Mill Elementary in the Zachary Community School District. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction with a STEM concentration from Louisiana State University Shreveport.
Beard is known for her innovative approach to science instruction. She is a recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching and was named Outstanding Science Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Science Teachers Association.
A certified teacher mentor, Beard founded the robotics and coding club at Copper Mill Elementary and serves on the Teacher Advisory Councils for both her school system and the state. She also served on Louisiana’s Let Teachers Teach workgroup.
Division-Level Teacher of the Year Honorees
- Elementary: Ali Romero Angelle | St. Martin Parish
- Middle: Tante Poche' | Ascension Parish
- High: Aaron Riffe Beaubouef | Jefferson Davis Parish
Louisiana Principal of the Year
Justin Wax is in his fourth year as principal of Denham Springs Junior High in Livingston Parish. Under his leadership, the school has earned state and national recognition, including designation as a 2024 Top Gains Honoree and inclusion in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Middle Schools lists for both 2024 and 2025.
Wax holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration with a minor in leadership development from Louisiana State University. He earned a Master of Education in educational leadership from Southeastern Louisiana University after entering the field through an alternative certification pathway.
Dedicated to STEM education, Wax leads the development of an aquaponics lab at his school, giving students hands-on opportunities to conserve endangered Louisiana plant species and learn sustainable produce cultivation.
Division-Level Principal of the Year Honorees
- Elementary: Brandon Singleton | St. Landry Parish
- Middle: Jennifer Burris | Bossier Parish
- High: Dr. Anna Faye Caminita | Tangipahoa Parish
Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher of the Year
Brooklynn Johnson-Botley of Kinder Head Start in Allen Parish has more than 10 years of experience in early childhood education and is passionate about helping young learners build a lifelong love of learning. She believes one of the most meaningful roles an educator can play is being one of a child’s first teachers.
Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year
Devonda Whittington-Warren of Explore and Learn Early Learning Center in Tangipahoa Parish brings more than 30 years of dedication, including over a decade in leadership roles. Her work is rooted in the belief that early childhood education can help lay the foundation for lifelong success.
Louisiana New Teacher of the Year
Olivia Francois teaches 10th-grade civics at Dutchtown High School in Ascension Parish. A proud Dutchtown alumna, Francois brings both academic excellence and personal investment to her role as an educator. While earning her graduate degree, she was recognized with the Outstanding Professional Promise award for her leadership and student-centered approach.
In addition to the overall and division-level honorees, the Department and Dream Teachers also recognized Louisiana’s 2024 Milken Educator Award recipients, the Public Interest Fellow, semifinalists and finalists for Teacher and Principal of the Year, and finalists for Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year and New Teacher of the Year.