Shaking Out the Good Stuff — Rayne High Teacher Named ‘Louisiana Teacher of the Year’

The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) handed out awards on Saturday as they named the state's top teachers and leaders at the 18th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala in New Orleans.

One Acadiana area educator won the top prize as Louisiana Teacher of the Year.

Congratulations to Elise Peltier Boutin of Rayne High School, who received one of the night's biggest prizes!

About Elise Boutin

Boutin is a 14-year veteran of the classroom and is a publications and English teacher at the Acadia Parish school.

She revived the Rayne Alive! Program, a student-produced YouTube channel that has connected students with local broadcasting opportunities.

Boutin created a senior project fair for students to showcase their capstone projects in areas of academics, career, and community service, and to connect them with business owners.

She also connects students to community activities by sponsoring the Interact Club, which works with the Rayne Rotary Club, and she recently started a cross-country team at the school.

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About the LDOE Awards

LDOE, in partnership with Dream Teachers, handed out several other awards at the event. The Gala presented Louisiana Teacher of the Year, Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher and Leader of the Year, and Louisiana New Teacher of the Year.

“It’s a privilege to celebrate some of the outstanding professionals who have dedicated their careers to improving our state one child at a time,” said State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley. “Each of these talented educators have played a role in Louisiana’s recent successes, and are critical to the vital work that lies ahead.”

2025 Overall State Honorees

• Louisiana Teacher of the Year: Elise Boutin | Acadia Parish
• Louisiana Principal of the Year: Dr. Amanda Austin | Iberville Parish
• Louisiana Early Childhood Teacher of the Year: Nicole Williams Ross | Jefferson Parish
• Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year: Rockeisha Walker | Iberville Parish
• Louisiana New Teacher of the Year: Tiffany Pfeifer | Calcasieu Parish