2023 Louisiana Principal of theYear

Dr. david schexnaydre

Harry hurst middle school, st. charles parish

Dr. David Schexnaydre is the principal of Harry Hurst Middle School (Grades 6-8) in Destrehan, La. An award-winning teacher, administrator, and educational researcher, Schexnaydre is a Louisiana-born-and-bred educator who obtained his Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University (2005), and his Master’s of Education (2010) and Doctor of Philosophy (2016) from the University of New Orleans. His career as an educator began as a teacher and coach, and he was named the R.K. Smith Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2009 and the Louisiana Middle School Association Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2011. Named principal at Hurst in 2018, Schexnaydre has worked tirelessly to build collaborative relationships with all stakeholders and drive positive change with curriculum, instruction, growth mindset, and mindfulness. His vision and leadership in these areas has transformed the school according to metrics in student achievement, student wellness, employee engagement, and community involvement. Outside of his accomplishments as principal, his doctoral dissertation won the Louisiana Educational Research Association’s 2016 Outstanding Graduate Paper, and he was selected by the American Educational Research Association to present his research at their annual conference. In 2017, Schexnaydre was chosen by America Achieves and the Louisiana Department of Education for the Louisiana Educator Voice Fellowship, and in 2019, Southeastern Louisiana University hired him as an adjunct professor in their Master of Education Program, teaching the School-Community Relations course to aspiring leaders. Dr. Schexnaydre is a life-long learner, and an advocate and champion for Louisiana’s educators and students.

 
 
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2022 HONOREES

  • Ira R. Wilson, Jefferson Parish

  • Dr. Jenny Blalock, Lincoln Parish

  • Sharon Clark, Orleans Parish

  • Dr. Seu Hee Ledet, St. Tammany Parish

  • Angela Godwin, Vermillion Parish

  • Stephanie Perry, Allen Parish

  • Katherine B. Aucoin, Assumption Parish

  • Wesley A. Henry, Beauregard Parish

  • Dr. Matthew Mitchell, Caddo Parish

  • Adam Caldwell, Calcasieu Parish

  • Katie Hillstad, Caldwell Parish

  • Erica B. Aguillard, East Baton Rouge Parish

  • Frances LeBlanc, Jefferson Davis Parish

  • Carolyn Kirk Wilkinson, Livingston Parish

  • Chakira Gaines Brown, St. James Parish

  • Dr. Nicole Morrison, St. Landry Parish

  • Christopher Shirley, St. Martin Parish

  • Kelli Carruth Welch, Rapides Parish

  • Kelley Stein, West Baton Rouge Parish

  • Mark Lester, West Feliciana Parish

  • Heather Brooks, Claiborne Parish

  • Michael V. Hilton III, Ascension Parish

  • Tamela Phillips, DeSoto Parish

The Principal of the Year Process

The process for selecting a Louisiana Principal of the Year begins at the local level. Each school within every public or public charter school district is eligible to select a Principal of the Year subject to their own selection criteria. Those individual local school nominations are sent to the District level for further review and consideration.

Each District Superintendent or public charter school District may select three outstanding teachers to forward to the State Department of Education for competition at the state level. Of the three District nominations, there will be one elementary, one middle school, and one high school principal selected.

The Louisiana Department of Education continues a review and evaluation of all District candidates submitted. To learn more about the Principal of the Year selection process, contact LDOE at louisianabelieves.com/teaching/award-programs. Questions regarding the selection process or on-line applications should be directed to the department.

The 2024 Louisiana Principal of the Year will be announced at the 2023 Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala to be held on July 22, 2023 at the World War II Museum in New Orleans.  This event is dedicated to recognizing and honoring Louisiana’s outstanding principals, and is jointly sponsored by Dream Teachers, the Louisiana Department of Education, and the Louisiana Association of Principals.