Southeastern Louisiana University alumna Payton Onellion of Denham Springs has been selected as a finalist for Louisiana New Teacher of the Year by the Louisiana Department of Education.
Onellion, who teaches in Livingston Parish, was one of only nine finalists selected from across the state.
This is the second year of the state’s New Teacher of the Year program, which recognizes the outstanding contributions of first-year classroom teachers. These programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge teachers and leaders who are making exceptional gains with students.
School systems from across the state submitted nominations for the state-level Teacher, Principal and New Teacher of the Year process.
The New Teacher of the Year finalists, along with the Teacher and Principal of the Year semifinalists, will be honored at the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala, which will be held at the National World War II Museum in New Orleans July 22.
