DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / May 13, 2000

LUTCHER – The International Reading Association, dedicated for 45 years to promoting literacy across the globe, doesn’t hand out it’s Educator of the Year award annually, only when someone truly deserves it.

Frances Troxler, director of Title 1 in St. James Parish, was honored at theIRA’s conference in Indianapolis last week when she was named Educator of the Year for her outstanding efforts in education.

“This is a huge honor,” said Mary Edwards, administrative director of student services and personnel for the school system. “She’s been chosento close out the last century and begin a new one.”The 1999-2000 award given to Frances has in the past been given to college professors, state education department personnel, principals and other prominent administrators. “I’m very proud to know that I’ve been listed rightup there with them,” said Frances.

Frances joined the association while she was attending Nicholls University in 1974.

“I’ve always been devoted to reading,” Frances said.

After college she continued to promote literacy while working for as teacher in the St. James Parish, in the state Department of Education and again inSt. James as the director of Title 1. Since 1988 she has worked withpreschool children helping create and run programs which prepare them for school by giving them a head start in education.

“I’m proud of what my staff and I have done here with the mobile learning center, the resource center for parents and teachers and our library,” Frances said. She describes their programs as supplementary, added tosupport the disadvantaged children and parents in the parish.

As well as being the Title 1 director in St. James, which is the job she’salways wanted to do, Frances is the state coordinator for the IRA. At lastweek’s conference she invited all who attended to come to New Orleans, which will host next year’s international conference.

Janet Langlois from the Louisiana’s Department of Education’s professional development department, nominated Frances for the unique and highly selective Educator of the Year Award.

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