Louisiana math teacher Brittany Bonnaffons has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year. Photo Credit: St. Charles Herald Guide
It is always my pleasure to shine a spotlight on outstanding educators who have earned accolades for their work in the profession. One of these is Brittany Bonnaffons, a secondary mathematics teacher from Luling, Louisiana. She has been named her state’s 2023 Teacher of the Year.
Brittany teaches Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 at Hahnville High School in the St. Charles Parish Public School District. In a career that has spanned 12 years, she has taught at Hahnville for five years. Her teaching philosophy is that mathematics teaches students reasoning, problem-solving skills, and perseverance, while working collaboratively teaches them the importance of being able to work well with others. Under her guidance, her students, who before entering her classroom had not scored satisfactorily on their middle school standardized tests, have improved their scores by leaps and bounds. “My goal is to bring out the best in students,” asserts Brittany. “Yes, I want to teach them math, but I also want to teach them how to find their gifts and use those gifts to make a difference,” she continues. “Making a difference requires making connections with students and to help other teachers do the same. We are all better together,” she concludes.
Not only does Brittany teach math, but she also serves as the Head Coach for her school’s boys and girls track team. Since she accepted the position in 2018, her athletes have captured four District team championships and have placed as regional runner-ups twice. In addition, she has led more than 50 individuals to District medals, more than 30 individuals to regional medals, and more than 10 athletes to state medals.
In addition to her selection as Louisiana’s State Teacher of the Year, Brittany was selected as one of 22 educators from across the state to serve on the Louisiana Department of Education 2022-2023 Teacher Advisory Council.
Brittany earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Louisiana Scholars’ College at Northwestern State University. She earned her Master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of Louisiana, Monroe, and a second Master’s in Teaching from Northwestern University.
To read more about this Chalkboard Champion, click on this link to an article about her published by Louisiana Life.