McAuliffe Elementary -  Belynnda Guidry, first grade

First grade teacher Belynnda Guidry has been named the Teacher of the Year at McAuliffe Elementary School.

“I became a teacher because I hated school, Guidry said. “I did not fit in with my peers and class was boring. I wanted to make learning fun. I wanted my students to feel that they belong and have a school family in our classroom.”

Guidry strives to make her classroom fun, even during a pandemic.

“Teaching this year is a challenge,” she said. “I have always had a few students at the beginning of the year not on grade level. This year more than half of my 24 students are extremely behind academically, emotionally and socially. I have been teaching for a lot of years, and I feel overwhelmed with the needs of my students.  In addition, it feels like we are being asked to do more and more paperwork.”

But the rewards are worth it, she said.

Guidry taught at Union from 2007 until 2010, before leaving for a bit and returning in 2017.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Northeastern State University. She is also certified in English Learning.