IPSB announces Teacher of the Year, Principal of the Year award winners

The time of year has come for the Iberville Parish School Board to recognize and honor the 2016 Teachers and Principal of the Year.

IPSB recently announced the following recipients of the Teacher of the Year award in each of the Elementary, Middle and High School divisions:

Nancy Christensen was recently named Teacher of the Year for the Elementary division.  She is a fourth grade teacher at Crescent Elementary, and she teaches math, science and social studies.

Christensen attended Louisiana State University and majored in Secondary Education - Social Studies with a minor in English.

She later returned to LSU to receive certification in Elementary Education.  Nancy Christensen began her teaching career in 1981.  She spent the summer as a teacher liaison working for an LSU Geology professor throughout coastal Louisiana helping fellow teachers understand the dynamics of land building and coastal erosion in the state.

Some of her hobbies include: painting purses as Mardi Gras throws, cooking and reading.  In ten years, she sees herself sipping tea, toes dangling in the water with a fishing pole in her hand.

Megan Purpera was recently named Teacher of the Year in the Middle School division.  She is an Agriscience teacher at MSA-West and teaches Middle school Ag I, II and III and Environmental Science.

Megan is certified to teach Biology grades 6-12, Agriscience 6-12.  She became a teacher in 2012.  In 10 years, she hopes to still be teaching Ag at MSA-West.  This job is her dream job and she hopes to retire having built a large program with many opportunities for students in Iberville Parish.

Her hobbies include: spending time with family and friends, raising show cattle and helping community kids learn about showing, reading, and swimming.

Craig Granier was recently named Teacher of the Year for the High School division.  Granier is a welding instructor at Plaquemine High School.  His areas of certification include: Combination Welder, AWS Certified Associate Welding Inspector, Liquid Penetrant Level 2 Special, AMA Communication and Interpersonal Skills, and AMA Leadership Skills for a Supervisor.  

Granier began his teaching career part-time in 2006 and became full time in 2011.  He enjoys being able to change young men and women’s lives for the better.  He also is proud of helping to build a successful welding program at Plaquemine High School.  His hobbies include: Hot Rod, cooking, working on his latest building project, and spending time with family and friends.

Iberville Parish School Board also announced the 2016 Principal of the Year.

Allison Junot is the recipient of the Principal of the Year award.  Mrs. Junot is the principal at Crescent Elementary, and she began her career teaching Social Studies at Plaquemine High School.  She received her Masters in Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction.  After receiving her certification in Education Leadership in 2006, Mrs. Junot served as assistant principal at Plaquemine High for two years.  In 2008, Mrs. Junot was hired as assistant principal at Crescent Elementary.  In 2011, she served as Executive Master teacher for the district and was named Principal at Crescent Elementary the next year.  Crescent Elementary became a B school and maintains a B status under her leadership.

Congratulations to the Teachers and Principal of the Year!