Bossier Parish band director named teacher of the year

A Bossier Parish band director was named the top honoree for the Louisiana Middle School Teacher of the Year award during the 17th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educators Excellence Awards Gala in New Orleans, Louisiana, Saturday July 22.

Cory Joy Craig is the band director at Benton Intermediate School, where she has won the hearts of her students and colleagues.

According to Bossier Parish Schools, she credits her own seventh-grade band director for instilling her passion for music, offering encouragement and giving her the outlet to be successful after emerging from life in foster care.

She said, “he pushed us and encouraged us no matter what we were going through at the moment; that there was a future, that we had something to look forward to, that we were working hard toward a common goal. And that radically changed my life from focusing on being a victim to focusing towards being a victor in everything that I get to do and that helps shape everything I choose to do and plan to do in the classroom and out.”

Craig's greatest desire is for her students to know they are loved and capable of accomplishing incredible things. “I am able to impact our education system, hopefully for good," said Craig.

Three other Bossier Parish educators were also celebrated at the gala.

Camille Cole and Brad Winstead were New Teachers of the Year state finalists, and Elm Grove Middle School Principal Michael Pedrotty, was a state semifinalist for Principal of the Year.

More: Caddo Parish School Board selected a interim board member

Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at mboucher@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Bossier Parish band director named teacher of the year