September2023

September 15, 2023

Feature: Calling All Louisianans!

Calling All
Louisianans!

Written by Kylie Altier
2024 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year

Calling All Louisianans!

Written by Kylie Altier

School has started again, and as a teacher, I am already feeling inspired by my students and the opportunities this school year will bring! However, our class is bigger than my students and I, as it also includes our entire community… that’s right, you! Our children and our future are not only our collective responsibility but also our collective gift. The time is now for everyone to have a direct impact on children, in my classroom or any classroom across Louisiana!

When I moved to Louisiana two years ago, I found myself chasing two dreams. I wanted to be an amazing teacher and an amazing mom at the same time. I wondered if I would be able to provide all the things my school and home babies deserved. However, joining the community of Baton Rouge taught me that I am not alone and that I do not have to provide it all by myself. In some instances, the community came to me, and in others, I sought out the community. In either case, the results were far greater than I could have imagined. It has truly maximized my effectiveness as a teacher and also allowed me to find balance. Below are a few ways the community and classroom have become one for my students:

Guest Teachers: I started Genius Hour in my class and allowed my students the space to research passion projects. When they began picking topics way over my head like paleontology, herpetology, and fashion design, I looked to experts throughout our community to come to share their knowledge. We got to hold hissing cockroaches when learning about insects, write with actual lead stones when learning about geology, and hear from a perfect 10-scoring LSU gymnast about what it takes to be a champion. These community partners delivered lessons far superior to what I could teach. When an LSU Geology Ph.D. student came to my classroom. He came with a wide array of magnets that amazed every child. Within his presentation, he casually mentioned the SC Maglev, a train in Japan that runs on magnets. When he left, my student said “What if all cars could run on magnets too? Do you think we could go super-fast?” In this moment, the impact of studying passions was so clear. In our midst, we have future world-changers. So if you know a lot about anything, can you share that knowledge with the future?

Story time Readers: When I arrived at my new school, I learned about a 40-year partnership with a local church that has adopted our school. They partner volunteers with classrooms to read stories anywhere from once a month to once a week. My story time reader, Mrs. Laura, has truly become a part of our class. My students jump for joy at the opportunity to be read to for pleasure. This also connects them to another adult who values literacy. This partnership not only benefits my students but makes me feel loved in a big way. When she reads, she encourages me to sit back and enjoy the book along with my students and these minutes feel like magic as we cling to every word. When she walks out of the door, I feel invigorated to make sure each of my students feels as loved as she has made me feel.

Big Initiatives:At my previous school, I had started a school garden. It took endless hours of work, research, and effort. When I became a mom, I thought my gardening days would be on pause for a while. However, yet again, this community came in to teach me that it is not all on my shoulders. Atmos Energy, Southern University and Volunteers in Public Schools teamed up to give 3 schools brand new school gardens and I happened to be at one of those schools! This amazing initiative allowed me to start a garden club of 47 tiny gardeners. The garden has become a place of nourishment for our bodies, minds, and hearts. The garden is theirs and gifted them a huge opportunity in their educational career to be the ones making decisions, leading the charge and collaborating with students across ages and classes. Big initiatives could be anything you believe a school needs. If you can dream it, our students can bring it to life!

One-on-One Tutors: Through Volunteers in Public Schools, any students in my classroom who need extra help can get assigned to a one-on-one tutor. Having this individual time with an adult gives them the opportunity for truly individualized learning and a personal connection. One of my students last year was a developing reader, so when I instructed him, I had a targeted focus. When he was partnered with his very own reader, she allowed him to choose one book for them to read together. He instantly went to a lengthy chapter book about dragons that would easily take them the rest of the school year to read and she never even blinked. She took the time to help him through the big words and taught him to reread choppy sentences. When she showed up at the door, this formerly reluctant reader ran like he was running toward a candy store. By the time the book was finished, he was forever changed. I offered him specialized foundational reading instruction and she offered him her time and his choices. Together, we created a lifelong reader.

Grants: Two weeks after moving here, I got my first email informing me of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Academic Distinction Fund. This grant seeks to inspire innovation in the classroom and aims to fund teachers’ wildest ideas to promote student growth. Fast forward to my spring semester. I got to take students to the moon and hear a new type of excitement squeal from the most deserving little ones! We have walked alongside komodo dragons, peeked over the edge of the Great Wall, and looked up at the larger-than-life redwood trees in California. There are loud moments of students screaming out about all they are experiencing, and there are quiet moments where one may sit on the ground in awe. In all the moments, I see curiosity, connections and critical thinking taking place. While these headsets have changed my classroom, another huge impact has been learning that local companies and organizations want to hear from teachers on how we make schools and our communities a better place.

All my life, I have believed that if I give love to the world, that same love will come back to me. Every day I feel a small microcosm of this. I go to work and give all my love to my students, and I leave feeling so loved in return. But since being in Louisiana, I have felt that power amplified in a whole new way. The love I gave to my students seemed to echo back with endless love from our community. Today and every day, the children will give that love back. In a small way, this might look like the huge smile on your face when they run to hug you. In a big way, they may be changing the agricultural landscape of the future, inventing magnetic levitating vehicles, or authoring our next great adventures. When you take the time to give to children, you will be rewarded immediately, and our community will be a better place because of it. Since partnering with the community, it is so clear to me that this is our path forward in education. Whether it is with an organization, as an individual, with time or with donations, any time you spend spreading love to children will bring you love in return. So this school year, I am here to rally everyone! We need you!

-Kylie Altier

2024 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year
East Baton Rouge Parish School System
McKinley Elementary
First Grade Teacher
ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies

Join my growing database of experts:
https://bit.ly/MrsAltiersVillage

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Twitter: Mrs_Altier

September 15, 2023

People of Louisiana – Schools (September 2023)

KAYLA HEBERT

Lake Charles Charter Academy, Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation
Third Grade Teacher
Math and Science
2024 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year Semifinalist

Back to School Relationship Building

KAYLA HEBERT

Back to School Relationship Building

Back-to-school in-services are in full swing, and we are all familiar with the common icebreakers and team-building activities that are listed first on the agenda. Some may love the games that are played, others do not, and then some are so excited to see everyone again that they barely complete the activity. This reminds me of my class during our morning meetings: some students are shy, some may not understand the purpose of it, and others are excited to visit with their friends in class. These icebreakers and team-building activities are important. Whether you are sold on the activity or not, you are synergizing with the others around you. Through team-building, these activities are building relationships.

To educators reading this blog post, putting relationships first matters because I believe relationships drive results. The stronger the sense of significance a student feels, the more likely they will perform at their best potential. In my experience, the best way to target social-emotional learning is to adopt morning meetings as a daily routine at the beginning of the day. Your students will love morning meetings, and this is the part of teaching where you can step away from the curriculum and have so much freedom!

Morning meetings set the tone for the day, and I believe it’s where I can make the greatest impact as an educator. My students leaving my class as a better person is more important to me than them making perfect grades. That almost seems wrong since my job is to deliver education, but I believe when you work on developing good habits and character, you will obtain the academic results and the students will reach their fullest potential. This time will allow students to learn skills and to self-manage academic and personal success.

Have you given morning meetings a shot? Do you need a starting point? Here are the areas I like to target in my third-grade class:

Growth mindset and goal setting- develop an effective plan for bettering a skill (This can be a skill they would like to improve outside the classroom)
Emotion management- the purpose of emotions and level of emotions, how to cope with them
Empathy and kindness- help build friendships, acts of kindness, thinking about how another person feels and what their needs and wants are
Problem-solving- situations where they make the best judgment about how to handle a problem appropriately

This is the part of the day when you get to know your students best and reflect on yourself. I laughed out loud one day when a student could tell I was getting frazzled, and he said, “Ms. Hebert, just take a few deep breaths.” We teach our kids coping strategies and how to deal with certain situations that we struggle with as adults. Morning meetings allow me to reset my mindset as well. It’s a win-win!

Morning meetings have 4 components: greeting, share, activity, and message. There is no right or wrong way to do this, and there are several resources out there. Get creative! Learn what motivates them and their background to advance their self-awareness. Mutual respect will be built between everyone in your class after consistently keeping up with social-emotional learning. These skills will not only build your classroom community but will follow your students in school, work, and life.

I’ve noticed so many benefits in the classroom after making morning meetings a part of our routine, and I hope you will too! Academic improvement, less disruptive behavior, and student engagement are areas you can look forward to after relationship building is established. I suggest taking the first few weeks of school to make sure you start with a strong foundation of building relationships with your class because it will pay off. Do the silly icebreakers, have fun with your kids, enjoy and get to know each of them individually. Your students will respect you and work hard to make you proud.

Making someone feel significant will lead to success. I hope morning meetings will bring that spark of cheer, joy, and a love for learning to your students. I believe God has placed each student on our roster and path for a reason. Building relationships each day with our students is so meaningful and where we as educators can have the greatest impact. I’m just as anxious as you are to meet my new students. A good beginning makes a big difference. With that, I suggest we all consider starting this school year off team-building our way to a positive classroom climate. I wish everyone a wonderful school year and hope it’s the best year yet!

-Kayla Hebert

Lake Charles Charter Academy, Lake Charles Charter Academy Foundation
Third Grade Teacher
Math and Science
2024 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year Semifinalist

Twitter: @kayla_hebert22

September 14, 2023

Louisiana Fosters – Foster families, Children Aaccounted for During Emergencies

Foster Families, Children Accounted for During Emergencies

Emergency preparedness has become a way of life in Louisiana, and that applies to our foster families, too. During an emergency, the secretary of the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) provides details to the Governor’s Office about the location and status of the approximately 4,000 children currently in foster care.

The state bears the primary responsibility for the children in our custody, and that does not stop during a crisis. We must know if our foster families are safe and where they are located, be it in a shelter, their home or temporarily out of state. Youth ages 18 to 21 in the Extended Foster Care (EFC) program are also accounted for, and the DCFS data systems are updated regularly as foster caregivers move or as the children are reunified with their birth families. We make a point of asking for updated contact information at the start of hurricane season so that foster families and EFC youth can receive any important safety alerts sent out during an event. Most recently, we alerted all foster caregivers about the wildfires and the statewide burn ban.

There is also a foster caregiver support line, 1-833-788-1351, which operates 24 hours a day during a major crisis. DCFS always wants to ensure that children in foster care are safe, and we want to know if any foster families are in need of services during or after an emergency. We always hope that we are spared from a hurricane or other natural disaster, but we remain prepared to serve children in care and the families who have taken them in. Learn more about becoming a foster parent by visiting DCFS.Louisiana.gov/foster-parenting.com or GetaGamePlan.com for tips on how to stay safe this hurricane season.

September Adoption Spotlight

Each month, we feature children and teens who are available for adoption in Louisiana.
This month, we would like to introduce you to Bazil and Christopher from the Thibodaux Region.

Bazil – 5

Bazil is an active 5-year-old who enjoys playing pool, playing with his Batman toys and making arts and crafts. His favorite food is macaroni and cheese, but he’s not a picky eater. Although Bazil does play well by himself, he enjoys playing and interacting with other children. He enjoys school and loves his teacher. Bazil will thrive with a family that will provide him with structure, patience and unconditional love.

Christopher – 16

Christopher is an enthusiastic and polite young gentleman. He enjoys playing and watching all sports, especially football, baseball and basketball. He also enjoys playing video games, pizza and grilled cheese sandwiches. Christopher will need a family who is willing to assist him with reaching his full academic potential. He is a very caring and thoughtful child who loves dancing and being the center of attention. Christopher is looking for a forever family who is willing to provide him with unconditional love and patience.

If you are considering adopting or fostering a child, take that first step by attending a free, virtual orientation session. For more information about becoming a foster/adoptive parent and the available training, visit DCFS.Louisiana.gov.

Visit the Louisiana Fosters Website

September 14, 2023

Anti-Human Trafficking: Diversity Equity Inclusion Access (DEIA): More than Just a Notion

Louisiana Department of Health and LSUHSC Partnership Helps Therapists Deliver High-Quality Therapy to Youth

Louisiana Department of Health and LSUHSC Partnership
Helps Therapists Deliver High-Quality Therapy to Youth

Written by Jennifer Hannon

Louisiana Department of Health

In order to help remove barriers to putting evidence-based interventions into practice for Louisiana’s Medicaid-enrolled youth, the Louisiana Department of Health’s Office of Behavioral Health (OBH) launched the Center for Evidence to Practice (Center) in 2018 at Louisiana State University–Health Sciences Center. The Center serves as a hub for innovation and cross-sectoral collaboration, to improve behavioral health outcomes and to address challenges related to sustaining quality practice. The Center provides training and implementation support to providers of Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) within Medicaid-funded behavioral health services for youth. In addition and in alignment with evidence that trafficking survivors benefit from specialized complex trauma interventions, OBH developed a strategy to train clinicians across the state to adapt evidence-based trauma treatments to most effectively meet the needs of human trafficking survivors. The Center has also developed the “EBP Referral Guide/Decision Tree” to help consumers and referring parties learn about which EBP may be right for a particular youth and family. The “EBP Service Descriptions” then describe each EBP in more detail. Perhaps, most importantly, the “Interactive Map of Medicaid EBP Providers” helps anyone search for a provider of a particular EBP in their local area. All of these tools can be found at the Center’s website at www.laevidencetopractice.com in the section labeled EBP Community Resources.

September 14, 2023

People of Louisiana – Military (September 2023)

VERONICA
BELL

United States Army (retired),
Corp of Engineers,
Purple Heart Recipient

Veronica Bell, United States Army (retired),
Corp of Engineers, Purple Heart Recipient

This month we’re excited to honor and salute retired U.S. Army Captain Veronica Bell, a true hero who has bravely answered the call of duty to serve and protect our state and our nation. Ret. Captain Bell is also a Purple Heart recipient, and we could not be more proud to share her story.

Born and raised in Shreveport, Louisiana, Capt. Bell is a proud graduate of Byrd High School. Upon graduating, she joined the U.S. Army Reserves, and after only two drill weekends she received orders to deploy to Europe in support of the war in Bosnia. She served for one year in Heidelberg, Germany and then returned to the United States to work in the private sector. After about a year, she transitioned to the Active Guard Reserve as a full time Army soldier. Her assignments included Amarillo, TX, San Pablo, CA, Fort Knox, KY, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Weirton, WV. Among her many accomplishments, she became the first woman to command the 336th Engineer Company. In 2003, Capt. Bell was deployed to Iraq, which is when she was assigned to the 974th Quartermaster Company and was wounded when an IED exploded near a vehicle in which she was a passenger. She suffered hearing loss and shrapnel wounds and was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. After twelve long months of “boots on the ground”, she prepared to board an aircraft to leave Iraq but received word that her orders had been changed and her tour of duty had been extended for six more months. In 2008, she received her commission as a 1st Lieutenant and in 2018, she retired at the rank of Captain with 24 years of service to our nation. Grateful to be alive, realizing she is here to make a difference and with a heart for service, Capt. Bell moved back home to Shreveport in 2019. She is active in numerous volunteer organizations, an entrepreneur with her own business and is employed at LA Workforce Development as the local Veterans Employment Representative.

While women make up less than two percent of the U.S. Military, their service and sacrifice help keep our country free for 100 percent of Americans. We owe Capt. Bell and others just like her a debt of gratitude that we will never be able to repay.

September 14, 2023

People of Louisiana – Community (September 2023)

COMMUNITY

JY’ASIA SAMS

LSU Parenthood Empowerment

Parenthood Empowerment:
Uplifting Parents, Transforming Lives

Written by Jy’Asia Sams
Founder and President of Parenthood Empowerment Organization

When we think of college students, we often envision young adults pursuing knowledge and embracing their journey toward higher education. This time has been characterized as a time for personal growth and social connections. On a campus such as Louisiana State University where traditional students represent the vast population, it is easy to overlook the silent majority: the parents.

I recognized the unique challenges faced by student parents on LSU’s campus and realized this group would continue their silence if no one ever spoke up. As a student and parent myself, I created an organization called Parenthood Empowerment with the purpose of being a beacon of unity. Also known as ‘PHE’, Parenthood Empowerment has the goal of bringing student parents and traditional students together, tearing down barriers and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. PHE’s commitment to its members and the community is a reflection of its promise to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their life circumstances.

PHE at LSU not only exemplifies the power of the community but also the power of understanding. Producing a supportive and inclusive atmosphere uplifts student parents to pursue academic greatness. Furthermore, their unique experiences enrich the overall culture of the campus. PHE serves as a testament to the idea that diversity and resilience should be celebrated and embraced, ensuring that every student’s journey is valued and appreciated. To stay connected or offer support to PHE, join their

Tigerlink: https://linktr.ee/lsuphe?utm_source=linktree_admin_share

About Jy’Asia Sams

Executive Assistant Governor’s Office on Women’s Policy

Jy’Asia is a rising Senior at Louisiana State University, Majoring in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is Founder and President of Parenthood Empowerment Organization, and serves as an LSU Ambassador and a member of LSU Black Women Empowerment Initiative.

September 14, 2023

Teach MAM – Be An Arts Educator, No Matter What Subject You Teach

Teach MAM

Teach MAM: An Exciting Partnership to Strengthen Arts Education Across Louisiana

TEACH MAM

Be an Arts Educator,
No Matter What Subject You Teach

Annelise Cassar Tedesco

Teach MAM Music Ambassador

As fall officially rolls in and the new school year begins to find its swing, it is amazing to see the wonders that teachers do every day. One of the many joys in my career is to reconnect with returning veteran teachers and meet new teachers who are joining the ranks of our noble field.

Recently, in the midst of an introductory conversation with a new colleague, I shared the following idea. Every teacher can be an arts educator through the use of arts enhancement or integration strategies. After all, how many times has anyone said the ABC’s?

As a student and now as an educator, I value connecting content from various core subject areas to works of visual and performing art, cultural elements, and artistic types of mnemonic devices. These strategies empower connection, comprehension, and retention of information for students from all backgrounds.

The Kennedy Center and its task force, titled Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA), have done extensive research and have many resources to support teachers wishing to enhance and integrate arts strategies and content into their classrooms. After much research and reflection, the findings of the task force present that there are three variations on how the arts can appear in school settings: Arts As Curriculum, Arts-Enhanced Curriculum, and Arts-Integrated Curriculum. Each of these variations has irreplaceable value for schools and the students they serve.

Inspired by these findings, the data collected in our own classrooms and professional research, my Teach MAM colleagues and I, Keyre’ Reed Bradford (Movement Ambassador) and Carolyn Scalfano (Art Ambassador), have compiled the summary below. According to our research and experience, arts education in each of its variations is important for each of the following experiences.

Learners develop creative problem-solving skills by working in the arts.
Teachers can present difficult concepts visually through the arts, making them more easy to understand.
Art instruction helps children with the development of motor skills, language skills, social skills, decision-making, risk-taking, and inventiveness.
Opportunities in the arts kindle compassion and other valuable traits to help students grow into emotionally healthier people who socialize more appropriately.
In studying the arts, students learn about color, layout, perspective, and balance. They grow in their confidence to communicate with an audience and share deep thoughts and understanding- all techniques that are necessary for presentations of academic work across subject disciplines.
Integrating art with other disciplines reaches students who might not otherwise be engaged in classwork.
Arts experiences boost critical thinking, teaching students to take the time to be more careful and thorough in how they observe the world.
The arts provide challenges for learners at all levels.
Assessments requiring artistic creation provide differentiated ways for students to demonstrate mastery.
Art education connects students with their own culture as well as with the wider world.
A report by Americans for the Arts states that young people who participate regularly in the arts (three hours a day on three days each week through one full year) are four times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement, to participate in a math and science fair, or to win an award for writing an essay or poem than children who do not participate.
A study of Missouri public schools in 2010 found that greater arts education led to fewer disciplinary infractions and higher attendance, graduation rates, and test scores.

As a result of these findings, I advocate that every teacher can and should incorporate arts strategies into their classrooms, regardless of content. Research and experience support that the presence of the arts in schools increases the health and success of the whole child. Curricular arts opportunities as well as arts-enhanced and arts-integrated opportunities enrich students’ experiences and expand students’ knowledge, thereby empowering students to reach new levels of achievement across curricular areas. In other words, not only can all teachers be art educators through enhancement and integration strategies, but frankly, it seems we should all be art educators. As professionals, we must recognize the importance of the arts as a curriculum and all seek to incorporate arts-enhanced and arts-integrated curricular opportunities as frequently as possible. When we do this, we will be encouraging and supporting our students by challenging them to grow academically, artistically, emotionally, behaviorally, and socially.

Interested in more information about arts-enhanced and arts-integrated curriculum strategies? Visit The Kennedy Center, or connect with the Louisiana First Foundation Teach MAM Ambassadors online or in person at their next conference presentation at the Louisiana State Arts Summit – October 5, 2023.

Join the conversation and follow Annelise on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annelisecassartedesco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnneliseCassar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnneliseCassarTedesco
Website: https://www.twosistersoneart.com/

About Annelise Cassar Tedesco

Mrs. Annelise Cassar Tedesco currently serves as Vocal Music Teacher and Music Director for CHS Voices, Chalmette High School’s Music Theatre and Vocal Arts program. She has taught at Chalmette High School since 2008 and was recently recognized as Louisiana’s State Teacher of the Year for 2022. An alumna of St. Bernard Parish Public Schools and valedictorian of Chalmette High School’s graduating class of 2002, Mrs. Cassar Tedesco graduated from Loyola University New Orleans, summa cum laude.

At Chalmette High School, she has coached multiple finalists in the Donald W. Wood Sr. Vocal Competition. She has also traveled with students to competitions, performances and auditions in Chicago, Orlando, Syracuse and New York City, where students have earned bronze and silver awards, multiple scholarships and performed on the stage of the New Amsterdam Theatre. Annelise also serves as Music Director for St. Bernard’s Performing Arts Academy.

No stranger to the concert or theatrical stage herself, some of her performance credits include Mahler for the Children of Aids, and Beethoven for the Indus Valley, two benefit concerts at Carnegie Hall to raise funds and public awareness for global pediatric AIDS and victims of the 2010 Pakistani floods, respectively. She also maintains her professional singing career on a weekly basis at Trinity Episcopal Church on Jackson Avenue. Most recently, Mrs. Cassar Tedesco was honored to be the soprano soloist for Handel’s Messiah in a collaborative concert with musicians from the Symphony Chorus of New Orleans, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Chalmette High’s own CHS Voices Varsity Chorale.

September 14, 2023

Blog – September 2023

BLOG OF FIRST LADY OF LOUISIANA DONNA EDWARDS

FALL-ing in
Love with Louisiana

September 2023

John Bel and I have a little more than three months left in office. It is so hard to believe. As we work on the packing- up process of moving home, we also have so many wonderful things happening over these next few months.

This month John Bel and I had the privilege of welcoming to the Governor’s Mansion, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, from London, England. In addition to being the cardinal of Westminster, he is also the president of the Santa Marta Group (SMG). Along with the cardinal were two SMG directors, Dr. David Ryall and Kevin Hyland, former commissioner of the Scotland Yard Human Trafficking Unit.

The Santa Marta Group is an anti-trafficking charity that aims to act as a catalyst for law enforcement, civil society, and the Church to work together to combat this global crime. The alliance was launched in 2014, supported by Pope Francis and named after his residence, Santa Marta, in which the group stayed. At that first meeting, Pope Francis described human trafficking as “an open wound on the body of contemporary society; a crime against humanity.

The Santa Marta Group seeks to “identify, inspire, initiate” so that Church actors, law enforcement and civil society groups can collaborate more effectively to combat the sources of human trafficking.

Relationships are at the heart of this endeavor. By building trust between partners, Santa Marta develops creative and effective strategies to reduce demand, counter criminal networks and make communities more resilient.

We had the pleasure of introducing Cardinal Nichols along with our other visitors to many from around our state during their visit. All in attendance were able to hear the work that SMG is doing around the globe in working to expose the predators of human trafficking. Also, we learned of their work to educate and build up law enforcement in communities all over the world to understand and have the tools to fight against this horrible crime.

Cardinal Nichols, SMG directors, Msg. Robert Murphy of the United Nations in New York, Mr. Bill Canny of USCCB from Washington, DC and others were able to tour Metanoia Manor and hear of the work that the Hospitalier Sisters of Mercy are doing with girls under age 18 who have been rescued right here in our state. The majority of them are from Louisiana. So often these girls are trafficked by family members and so-called boyfriends, and many are groomed and lured into trafficking through trickery and coercion.

“Metanoia Manor is a faith-based residential facility. This program offers a place of refuge to female adolescent victims of human trafficking, in which to heal physically and mentally. Metanoia is licensed to provide direct services for mental, physical, and spiritual health, instruction in academics, and life skills to biologically born girls aged 0-18.”

We also toured the Eden Care Center and House. This program is geared toward those 18 and older. There is amazing work being done within these beautiful places of healing. Work of unconditional love and nurturing of women and now men into becoming who they are meant to be.

“Eden House offers long-term housing and comprehensive recovery services to survivors of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. We offer survivors a safe place to dream and overcome their pasts, while developing substantive skills to move forward in their lives and become self-sufficient, flourishing members of society. Our program is intentionally small to focus on the individual needs of each survivor who passes through our doors. We provide each resident with the resources they need to focus and reflect on themselves and their goals.”

Metanoia Manor and Eden Care Centers are two of many programs in our state that are working with victims of human trafficking.

Our visitors from London were all appreciative of the opportunity to learn more of our work. We were able to collaborate on ideas, laws and future work in bringing even more awareness and preventions of this horrible crime. A crime happening in our own communities.

Another bit of good news, I have been selected to join the Santa Marta Group as a trustee. I’m both honored and humbled to be part of this incredible organization that is doing great work to eliminate the terrible crime of human trafficking. You can read the press release below.

And like all Louisiana guests, our new friends from across the Big Pond and those from the East Coast were treated to some good Louisiana food. Several of our guests tried, ate and enjoyed some alligator and oysters cooked many different ways. They enjoyed some gumbo, duck soup, turtle soup, beignets and a fresh muffuletta sandwich. They were even bathed with the sound of Jazz music right on the streets of New Orleans.

As the focus begins to turn to fall events, final projects and football season, I will be writing the next few months about our time over the last eight years and our final months as we move into the Home Stretch.

I can’t thank you all enough for reading my blog, sending me encouraging emails, sharing your own stories and for Lovin’ Louisiana.

Love ya’ll,

CLICK BELOW to read a newsletter written by a Sister from the Marianites of Holy Cross in Covington, Louisiana. Thanks, Sister for the great work.

PRESS RELEASE

Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards is to join the Santa Marta Group as a trustee, joining Cardinal Nichols, Yasmin Waljee, Russell Walters and Bishop William Kenney on the Board.

During a visit to Louisiana to promote the work of Santa Marta Group in combating trafficking as a guest of Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards, Cardinal Nichols invited her to become a trustee of the charity and bring her experience in community activism and specifically in anti-trafficking work.

Mrs. Edwards has long been active in her community, supporting various organizations, school, and church groups. In 2022, she established a national coalition in the USA with several other First Ladies for the prevention of sex trafficking, focused on victim identification, addressing causes of the crime, and supporting victims. The national coalition launched a campaign in January 2022: Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is R.E.A.L. The R.E.A.L stands for Recognizing the signs, Educating others, Acting immediately, and Listening to victims and survivors.

The coalition’s first big event was The R.E.A.L public awareness campaign, which was held in April 2022 during the NCAA Men’s Final Four Championship tournament (US College Basketball Finals) in New Orleans. The Final Four attracts around 15 million TV viewers and is one of the most high-profile sporting events in the USA. Later in 2022, Mrs. Edwards also gave one of the keynote speeches at the Santa Marta Group conference in the Vatican drawing attention to the work she was undertaking locally, and the way sporting events could be used to bring public attention to the crime of human trafficking.

Cardinal Nichols, Santa Marta Group president, said: “I am delighted that First Lady Edwards is joining the Santa Marta Group as a trustee. She will bring her experience, drive and enthusiasm to the Board as we continue to develop our work to eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery. Partnerships based on trust are at the heart of our work and Donna embodies those values.”

First Lady Donna Edwards said:

“It’s truly an honor to join the Santa Marta Group and work alongside Cardinal Nichols and the other board members who are doing a tremendous job of educating people around the world about the horrors of human trafficking as well as helping the survivors regain control of their lives,” said First Lady Edwards. “This is work that my husband and I are passionate about, and I’m incredibly proud of the work he is doing to make our state tough on the perpetrators while also helping to create a safe haven for survivors. Our deep faith is what guides us. This is a big problem, but I believe there is something each of us can do to make a difference and working together in bringing an end to human trafficking.”

“Eradicating human trafficking, preventing more suffering and helping survivors is something that Donna and I are committed to achieving,” said Gov. Edwards. “Thanks to Donna using her platform as well as our state legislators, I am proud to say that our efforts in Louisiana are making a difference, and we are excited to share what we have learned about raising awareness and continuing to work with everyone who shares our desire to end this heinous crime.

To learn more about human trafficking visit the Human Trafficking Prevention Resource Centre of Louisiana at HumanTrafficking.la.gov and to learn more about the state-wide public awareness campaign visit StopTraffickingla.com. For more information about Santa Marta Group: www.santamartagroup.org

FALL-ing in Love with Louisiana

September 2023

John Bel and I have a little more than three months left in office. It is so hard to believe. As we work on the packing-up process of moving home, we also have so many wonderful things happening over these next few months.

The Santa Marta Group seeks to “, inspire, initiate” so that Church actors, law enforcement and civil society groups can collaborate more effectively to combat the sources of human trafficking.

Metanoia Manor and Eden Care Centers are two of many programs in our state that are working with victims of human trafficking.

I can’t thank you all enough for reading my blog, sending me encouraging emails and sharing your own stories for Lovin’ Louisiana.

Love ya’ll,

CLICK BELOW to read a newsletter written by a Sister from the Marianites of Holy Cross in Covington, Louisiana. Thanks, Sister for the great work.

PRESS RELEASE

Louisiana First Lady Donna Edwards is to join the Santa Marta Group as a trustee, joining Cardinal Nichols, Yasmin Waljee, Russell Walters and Bishop William Kenney on the Board.

Mrs Edwards has long been active in her community, supporting various organizations, school, and church groups. In 2022, she established a national coalition in the USA with several other First Ladies for the prevention of sex trafficking, focused on victim identification, addressing causes of the crime, and supporting victims. The national coalition launched a campaign in January 2022: Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is R.E.A.L. The R.E.A.L stands for Recognizing the signs, Educating others, Acting immediately, and Listening to victims and survivors.

First Lady Donna Edwards said:

To learn more about human trafficking visit the Human Trafficking Prevention Resource Centre of Louisiana at HumanTrafficking.la.gov and to learn more about the state wide public awareness campaign visit StopTraffickingla.com. For more information about Santa Marta Group: www.santamartagroup.org

FEATURE

Calling All Louisianans!

Kylie Altier

Guest Teachers: I started Genius Hour in my class and allowed my students the space to research passion projects. When they began picking topics way over my head like paleontology, herpetology, and fashion design, I looked to experts throughout our community to come to share their knowledge. We got to hold hissing cockroaches when learning about insects, write with actual lead stones when learning about geology, and hear from a perfect 10-scoring LSU gymnast about what it takes to be a champion. These community partners delivered lessons far superior to what I could teach. When an LSU Geology Ph.D. student came to my classroom. He came with a wide array of magnets that amazed every child. Within his presentation, he casually mentioned the SC Maglev, a train in Japan that runs on magnets. When he left, my student said “What if all cars could run on magnets too? Do you think we could go super-fast?” In this moment, the impact of studying passions was so clear. In our midst, we have future world-changers. So if you know a lot about anything, can you share that knowledge with the future?

Story time Readers: When I arrived at my new school, I learned about a 40-year partnership with a local church that has adopted our school. They partner volunteers with classrooms to read stories anywhere from once a month to once a week. My story time reader, Mrs. Laura, has truly become a part of our class. My students jump for joy at the opportunity to be read to for pleasure. This also connects them to another adult who values literacy. This partnership not only benefits my students but makes me feel loved in a big way. When she reads, she encourages me to sit back and enjoy the book along with my students and these minutes feel like magic as we cling to every word. When she walks out of the door, I feel invigorated to make sure each of my students feels as loved as she has made me feel.

Big Initiatives: At my previous school, I had started a school garden. It took endless hours of work, research, and effort. When I became a mom, I thought my gardening days would be on pause for a while. However, yet again, this community came in to teach me that it is not all on my shoulders. Atmos Energy, Southern University and Volunteers in Public Schools teamed up to give 3 schools brand new school gardens and I happened to be at one of those schools! This amazing initiative allowed me to start a garden club of 47 tiny gardeners. The garden has become a place of nourishment for our bodies, minds, and hearts. The garden is theirs and gifted them a huge opportunity in their educational career to be the ones making decisions, leading the charge and collaborating with students across ages and classes. Big initiatives could be anything you believe a school needs. If you can dream it, our students can bring it to life!

One-on-One Tutors: Through Volunteers in Public Schools, any students in my classroom who need extra help can get assigned to a one-on-one tutor. Having this individual time with an adult gives them the opportunity for truly individualized learning and a personal connection. One of my students last year was a developing reader, so when I instructed him, I had a targeted focus. When he was partnered with his very own reader, she allowed him to choose one book for them to read together. He instantly went to a lengthy chapter book about dragons that would easily take them the rest of the school year to read and she never even blinked. She took the time to help him through the big words and taught him to reread choppy sentences. When she showed up at the door, this formerly reluctant reader ran like he was running toward a candy store. By the time the book was finished, he was forever changed. I offered him specialized foundational reading instruction and she offered him her time and his choices. Together, we created a lifelong reader.

Grants: Two weeks after moving here, I got my first email informing me of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Academic Distinction Fund. This grant seeks to inspire innovation in the classroom and aims to fund teachers’ wildest ideas to promote student growth. Fast forward to my spring semester. I got to take students to the moon and hear a new type of excitement squeal from the most deserving little ones! We have walked alongside Komodo dragons, peeked over the edge of the Great Wall, and looked up at the larger-than-life redwood trees in California. There are loud moments of students screaming out about all they are experiencing, and there are quiet moments where one may sit on the ground in awe. In all the moments, I see curiosity, connections and critical thinking taking place. While these headsets have changed my classroom, another huge impact has been learning that local companies and organizations want to hear from teachers on how we make schools and our communities a better place.

FEATURE

Calling All Louisianans!

Kylie Altier

Guest Teachers: I started Genius Hour in my class and allowed my students the space to research passion projects. When they began picking topics way over my head like paleontology, herpetology, and fashion design, I looked to experts throughout our community to come to share their knowledge. We got to hold hissing cockroaches when learning about insects, write with actual lead stones when learning about geology, and hear from a perfect 10-scoring LSU gymnast about what it takes to be a champion. These community partners delivered lessons far superior to what I could teach. When an LSU Geology Ph.D. student came to my classroom. He came with a wide array of magnets that amazed every child. Within his presentation, he casually mentioned the SC Maglev, a train in Japan that runs on magnets. When he left, my student said “What if all cars could run on magnets too? Do you think we could go super-fast?” In this moment, the impact of studying passions was so clear. In our midst, we have future world-changers. So if you know a lot about anything, can you share that knowledge with the future?

Story time Readers: When I arrived at my new school, I learned about a 40-year partnership with a local church that has adopted our school. They partner volunteers with classrooms to read stories anywhere from once a month to once a week. My story time reader, Mrs. Laura, has truly become a part of our class. My students jump for joy at the opportunity to be read to for pleasure. This also connects them to another adult who values literacy. This partnership not only benefits my students but makes me feel loved in a big way. When she reads, she encourages me to sit back and enjoy the book along with my students and these minutes feel like magic as we cling to every word. When she walks out of the door, I feel invigorated to make sure each of my students feels as loved as she has made me feel.

Big Initiatives:At my previous school, I had started a school garden. It took endless hours of work, research, and effort. When I became a mom, I thought my gardening days would be on pause for a while. However, yet again, this community came in to teach me that it is not all on my shoulders. Atmos Energy, Southern University and Volunteers in Public Schools teamed up to give 3 schools brand new school gardens and I happened to be at one of those schools! This amazing initiative allowed me to start a garden club of 47 tiny gardeners. The garden has become a place of nourishment for our bodies, minds, and hearts. The garden is theirs and gifted them a huge opportunity in their educational career to be the ones making decisions, leading the charge and collaborating with students across ages and classes. Big initiatives could be anything you believe a school needs. If you can dream it, our students can bring it to life!

One-on-One Tutors: Through Volunteers in Public Schools, any students in my classroom who need extra help can get assigned to a one-on-one tutor. Having this individual time with an adult gives them the opportunity for truly individualized learning and a personal connection. One of my students last year was a developing reader, so when I instructed him, I had a targeted focus. When he was partnered with his very own reader, she allowed him to choose one book for them to read together. He instantly went to a lengthy chapter book about dragons that would easily take them the rest of the school year to read and she never even blinked. She took the time to help him through the big words and taught him to reread choppy sentences. When she showed up at the door, this formerly reluctant reader ran like he was running toward a candy store. By the time the book was finished, he was forever changed. I offered him specialized foundational reading instruction and she offered him her time and his choices. Together, we created a lifelong reader.

Grants: Two weeks after moving here, I got my first email informing me of the Baton Rouge Area Foundation’s Academic Distinction Fund. This grant seeks to inspire innovation in the classroom and aims to fund teachers’ wildest ideas to promote student growth. Fast forward to my spring semester. I got to take students to the moon and hear a new type of excitement squeal from the most deserving little ones! We have walked alongside komodo dragons, peeked over the edge of the Great Wall, and looked up at the larger-than-life redwood trees in California. There are loud moments of students screaming out about all they are experiencing, and there are quiet moments where one may sit on the ground in awe. In all the moments, I see curiosity, connections and critical thinking taking place. While these headsets have changed my classroom, another huge impact has been learning that local companies and organizations want to hear from teachers on how we make schools and our communities a better place.

-Kylie Altier

2024 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year
East Baton Rouge Parish School System
McKinley Elementary
First Grade Teacher
ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies

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LOUISIANA FIRST FOUNDATION

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Teach Mam

Foster Families During Emergencies

Louisiana Fosters

High Quality Therapy for Youth

Human Trafficking

GOVERNOR’S MANSION

What if you could be part of history? What if you could give that gift to a loved one? Buying a personalized brick at the Governor’s Mansion is more than just a gift, it’s a way for a name to live on forever, on the grounds of the magnificent Louisiana Governor’s Mansion.

If you would like to purchase a brick for yourself, a loved one or a colleague, please click the link below and walk through the steps to complete your order. Once your order has been placed, you will receive an email from the Governor’s Mansion Preservation Foundation regarding the personalization specifications. Once those details have been relayed, your brick order will start the production process and you will receive a digital certificate that you can keep or share with the gift recipients.

Order your personalized brick TODAY for only $150 and be part of history forever!

Click here to purchase: https://louisianafirstfoundation.com/governors-mansion-preservation-foundation-store/

*All donations received will go directly to the preservation of the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion.

Visit the Governor's Mansion Store

Women’s Health

Working Together to Protect Women in Our State

by Torrie Harris

Assistant Secretary, Office of Women’s Health and Community Health

Whether at work, home, school, or simply on the other end of a phone call, you don’t have to look very far to see the impact women have in nearly every aspect of our personal lives and the well-being of our entire state.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has made improving the lives of women, children and families a top priority of his administration. As a result, there have been many opportunities for women from all walks of life to collaborate on a variety of initiatives designed to benefit communities throughout our state. This passion and excitement to see women succeed and flourish in our state grew even more deeply this last summer when the Legislature created our state’s first-ever Office of Women’s Health and Community Health during the 2022 Regular Session.

People of
Louisiana

FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE

from the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion

This decadent flourless chocolate cake is the perfect dessert for any occasion. With a rich and velvety texture, it will satisfy even the most discerning chocolate lovers.