W.W. Stewart Elementary Prinicipal Christine Bacon has been named as a semifinalist for the Louisiana State Prinicipal of the Year award. (Gazette photo by Darrel LeJeune)
By: DARREL LEJEUNE
LSN Newspapers
BASILE — “Teachers and leaders who produce the greatest gains are those of us who view our profession as a vocation rather than an occupation. Elevating our profession relies not only on preparation and knowledge, but also on dedication to and love of children. As our children shine, so will Louisiana rise!”
These are the thoughts of Christine Bacon, W. W. Stewart Elementary principal and semifinalist for the Louisiana State Principal of the Year award, as she shares her passion for the field of education.
Mrs. Bacon is no stranger to competition for high awards for herself and for her school. In 1990, she was also a a finalist for the State Principal of the Year honor.
She was also named a High Performing Coach for 2010 and 2011 and was nominated for the National Distinguished Principals Award in 1991. She also received the District Leadership Award from the Evangeline Parish School Board in 2004-2005 and was given the High Performing, High Poverty School Leader Award in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012.
W.W. Stewart Elementary School, under Mrs. Bacon’s leadership, has received the School of Exemplary Academic Growth Award in 2011, Title I School of the Year for Exceptional Student Achievement Award in 2010, School of Recognized Growth Award in 2008-2009, State Scholastic Growth Award in 1997, State Scholastic Achievement Award in 1996, and School Incentive Program Achievement Award in 1990.
The students at Stewart Elementary are happy to share their feelings about their principal. Here are some of the statements provided by non-identified students on Bacon’s application for the honor:
“I am so excited to have Mrs. Christine Bacon as our principal. She encourages us to do better every day. She never gives up. She’s on her feet, never falling back down. I love her. She teaches me to love, hope, and never give up on my dreams. I live my dreams every day because of her.”
“Every morning when kids get off of the bus, she is always at the sun greeting children with a big smile and a happy good morning.”
“A principal should believe and have faith in the students and teachers to do their best to teach and learn. A principal should do anything to help a student or teachers learn. And that principal is Mrs. Bacon.”
“When a student gets sent to the office, she helps them want to try their best or try harder.”
“Mrs. Bacon is so helpful that all of the students in the school show her how we can behave even when she is not there to see us.”
“I think Mrs. Bacon should be the principal of the year because she can light up your day. She makes us ‘shine’.”
Mrs. Bacon graduated from Basile High School in 1972 as Christine Chaumont, the eldest daughter of Darrell and June Chaumont of Basile. She was head cheerleader and Homecoming Queen at BHS and soon after graduation married her high school sweetheart, James “Jimbo” Bacon, the captain of the Bearcat football team.
The couple went on to raise two boys and two girls, all attending elementary school at Stewart and going on to graduate from Basile High School.
After graduating from McNeese State University in 1976, she began her career as an educator in August of 1976 as a special education teacher at W. W. Stewart Elementary. She soon took on the position of Acting Assistant Principal (while still teaching special ed.) upon the request of Principal Curley Dossman. Upon his retirement, she became principal for the 1983-84 school year.
A reception for all of the Principal of the Year semifinalists will be held in Baton Rouge on July 15 where the State Principal of the Year will be named.