EDUCATION SUPERHEROES

by Kerri Cooke

Often going above and beyond the call of duty, teachers, counselors and school staff strive to ensure our children are receiving a good education in an environment conducive to learning. Their efforts are the building blocks on which our communities grow and flourish. In this section, Thrive features five Education Superheroes in celebration of the men and women working tirelessly to instill foundational learning in today’s students. Ironically, all five individuals featured have backgrounds in other fields before they made their transition into teaching.

COLIN HYATT

Physical Education, Science 6th & 7th Grade at F.K. White Elementary

Colin Hyatt, who was born and raised in Sulphur, Louisiana, began his career at Cheniere LNG after graduating from LSU with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Health Sciences. For the next decade, he continued to work in industry but felt that wasn’t his permanent career path.

As a college student, Hyatt worked as an assistant wrestling coach at Zachary High School, so when he made a return to coaching at Sulphur High several years ago, he was “reminded of how much I enjoy instructing and being able to pass along knowledge.”

The 2024-2025 school year was Hyatt’s first year as a teacher, and he is a state finalist for New Teacher of the Year. His classes included 6th and 7th grade science and PE at F.K. White Middle School.

Hyatt particularly enjoys teaching middle school-aged students because they’re old enough to learn more complex subject matter but still young enough to get excited about new discoveries. “Students are asking thoughtful questions, making connections and engaging in meaningful conversations about how the world works,” he says. “They still have that incredible sense of wonder and curiosity. They get genuinely excited about discoveries, experiments and the mysteries of science.”

While Hyatt says he enjoyed his first year as a teacher immensely, he also admits there are challenges, especially when just starting out in a new career. “I believe that if something is worth doing, it won’t be easy. The challenges didn’t make me love teaching any less—in fact, they made me love it more. Growth comes in small steps every single day through persistence, hard work and belief.” Hyatt also credits his fellow teachers, mentors and co-workers for helping make his first year of teaching such a success.

As to being a finalist for New Teacher of the Year? Hyatt says, “Making such a drastic career change into education was certainly a leap of faith, but it was driven by a passion to make science meaningful and accessible to my students. This recognition validates that decision; it tells me that the energy I’ve poured into teaching is making a difference.” However, Hyatt doesn’t see his recognition as solely a personal win, but as a representation of what can happen when someone with a background outside of teaching brings their experience into the classroom. (The winner of New Teacher of the Year was announced after Thrive’s deadline.)

SHI GARRIET

Nursing Instructor at Washington Marion Magnet High School

Shi Garriet never expected to become a teacher after pursuing nursing. While she had played teacher as a child, the catalyst in her career was watching her grandfather pass away while EMTs tried to revive him while she was in middle school.

The desire to become a solution for people suffering health events lead Garriet to obtain her CNA, LPN and RN certifications from Lamar State College Orange before graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lamar University.

Garriet decided to bring her knowledge to a classroom setting at age 40 after gaining 21 years of nursing experience. Stationed at Washington Marion Magnet High School for the last four years, she teaches Basic Nursing Skills and offers dual enrollment classes in partnership with SOWELA Technical Community College. Through dual enrollment, Garriet teaches students not only from Washington Marion, but also from Sam Houston High School, LaGrange High School, Barbe High School, Iowa High School and Bell City High School. Students automatically become certified nursing assistants upon completion of Garriet’s class and are ready for the workforce and higher education immediately.

Transferring her skills from the bedside to the classroom has allowed Garriet to share valuable insight into the nursing field to help future generations excel in their studies and future careers. Teaching is a multifaceted profession and involves “building relationships with students, collaborating with dedicated staff and engaging with the community,” says Garriet, who finds a great level of satisfaction in impacting the present and future of her students. “The most fulfilling aspect of teaching is witnessing students achieve their goals and thrive both academically and personally,” she says.

However, teaching doesn’t just involve what happens in the classroom. Garriet says, “Educators must recognize and address external challenges, which can include family issues, socioeconomic factors and emotional struggles. This realization fosters a deep understanding and empathy towards students, highlighting the importance of holistic support in their development.” In fact, while hands-on nursing is what Garriet did for over two decades, now that she’s an educator, she recognizes the importance of the groundwork teachers set for all professions.

Garriet has definitely made an impression on her students and co-workers as she was named High School Teacher of the Year by the Calcasieu Parish School Board for the 2024-2025 school year, which she says was “not on my bingo card!” Grateful for the honor of being chosen for this prestigious award, Garriet has eyes on the future with hopes of expanding the nursing program at Washington Marion.

AMY POURCIAU

School Councelor at St. Margaret Catholic School

Amy Pourciau began her career working as a licensed professional counselor in a clinical setting after graduating with a Master of Fine Arts in Counseling Psychology from McNeese State University.

As she gained experience, she began to feel the urge to return to a school setting as she had herself attended Catholic school and “always genuinely loved being in school.” She continued her education and obtained a Master of Education in School Counseling.

Pourciau will begin her 4th year as counselor at St. Margaret Catholic School for the 2025-2026 school year but has worked in a similar position for a total of seven years. As a school counselor, Pourciau says, “I can combine my love for education with my background in mental health.”

While Pourciau provides emotional support to students as needed, she also is involved in other aspects of the daily running at St. Margaret such as “scheduling, communicating with parents and collaborating with staff based on their needs.” Her favorite aspect of being school counselor? “I love seeing students succeed—not just academically, but also in athletics, extracurricular activities and personal growth. It’s rewarding to witness their progress from the beginning of the school year to the end.”

As coordinator for the Student of the Year competition, Pourciau is further able to assist and observe as students progress in their personal journeys over the course of a school year. The competition allows her to connect with more students on a personal level. “I get to learn about students’ leadership qualities, their dedication to serve and their successes both in and out of school. It’s a privilege to hear their stories, see their accomplishments from a new perspective and help highlight the ways they’re making a positive impact in our school and local community.”

Through St. Margaret’s Voyages class, Pourciau is involved with students who have specific learning needs that might be different than the average student. She stresses that it’s a privilege for her to see “these students make real gains and grow in confidence, skills and independence.”

As a counselor, it’s important for Pourciau to be able to handle different responsibilities and situations while maintaining a calm and collected persona. Making a difference in the lives of students as a counselor looks different every day, but Pourciau loves the ability to adapt. The job “means helping out wherever there is a need. Sometimes it’s a small thing such as providing an extra highlighter or a hug. Sometimes it’s bigger, like supporting a family in a time of crisis,” she says.

COLETTE TANNER

Choir Director at Our Lady Queen of Heaven, St. Louis Catholic High School

Music is in Colette Tanner’s blood as the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Francis G. Bulber, former music educators at McNeese State University whose legacies continue to impact students today. In fact, she continues the program her father founded 84 years ago as director and conductor of the Lake Charles Messiah Chorus and Orchestra.

Tanner graduated with a bachelor’s and master’s in music education from McNeese. She will begin her 23rd year teaching choir at Our Lady Queen of Heaven for the 2025-2026 school year. She’s also choir director at St. Louis Catholic High School and for the Governor’s Program for Gifted Children.

Growing up in a musical family is what inspired Tanner’s career path. “I was surrounded by music, art and the quest for knowledge all of my life. It was a natural extension to continue that into my adult life,” she says.

Teaching choir is particularly rewarding for Tanner when a student achieves a skill they didn’t think was possible. For example, a young child “reading a rhythm for the first time to students performing for concerts and competitions” is exciting to witness. While some of her students continue their education to become proficient in music as a career, Tanner says educating students to become professional musicians is not her goal. “I teach so everyone can realize the importance of music in all of our lives. Music is integral to the human experience. But, like everything else that has value, you get out of it what you put into it.”

Musical education is a gift that continues to give back to Tanner. “You have all of these people with different stories, different lives, coming together as one to create beautiful music, beautiful art. We are using our ‘internal instrument’ to speak to the hearts and souls of our audiences.”

In a world where technology has made music increasingly easy to access, make and alter, Tanner hopes that her students retain the importance of musical education. She notes that historically, music was a luxury and a skill that was introduced to households through the wide-spread installations of pianos. She hopes her students remember “the importance of music and that everyone can and should participate in music for the betterment of themselves and the world.”

KIMBERLY WILSON

1st Grade Teacher at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School

Kimberly Wilson began her career as a banking analyst after graduating from McNeese State University with a business degree.
She transitioned to a stay-at-home mom for a number of years before returning to McNeese State University to obtain her teaching certification. Establishing relationships with her children’s teachers had fostered a desire to become an educator herself.

Wilson has taught 1st grade at Immaculate Conception Cathedral School for the last twenty years. While she teaches subjects ranging from science to religion, it’s teaching English that “stirs my heart,” she says. It is a joy to teach this age group “because they are learning to love to read. I’m blown away every year by how much progress they make and how many books they read. It’s exciting to see every one of them with a book in their hands and when they bring me a book they’ve really enjoyed.”

As rates of cracking open a book continue to decline among the general population, reading opens up the whole world to the little tykes. Wilson says she and her students have had “great conversations about everything from ancient Egypt to the American Revolution.”

Since Wilson has taught students for two decades, she has had the privilege of seeing the children she’s taught turning into young adults. “I know the skills they developed with me will help them get to where they’re going. It’s so much fun to watch it happen!”