Stewart wins H. Norman Saurage III Service Award

Leblanc Elementary teacher Kelly Stewart, one of the founding members of the French Immersion Program in Vermilion Parish, was recognized Saturday night at the 16th Annual Cecil Picard Educators Gala as the H.Norman Saurage award winner for 2022.
Stewart teaches English and Art to kindergartners and first graders in the French Immersion Program at LeBlanc Elementary.
This award, named after the founder of Community Coffee, is given to a nominated teacher who achieves in the classroom and goes above and beyond in the community.
On Monday, Kelly said, “I am still in shock.”
In honor of the late Norman Saurage, longtime chairman of the board of Community Coffee, Dream Teachers recognizes a Louisiana teacher for outstanding service to the community. The H. Norman Saurage III Service Award goes to a Louisiana public school teacher who has demonstrated outstanding instructional skills and made an exceptional personal contribution outside of the classroom to student enrichment, professional leadership, or community service, a news release said.
Kelly was instrumental in the French Immersion program at Leblanc and is involved in many civic activities.
She has been in education for 18 years, eight of those years at LeBlanc Elementary.
As part of the honor, Kelly received a $2,500 check from DreamTeachers and $2,500 for the non-profit group of her choice.
In addition, the faculty of LeBlanc Elementary will be treated to one year of community coffee in the teacher’s lounge in the upcoming year.
Kelly said she had been a Community Coffee drinker since she was 14.
LeBlanc Principal Rachel Brown nominated her. Stewert learned she won on July 4 when she received a phone call.
Her response when she heard the news on the phone was, “No way!”
“I was not expecting it,” she added.