By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

RESERVE – East St. John High School Principal Patricia Triche was honored as Principal of the Year for the St. John the Baptist Parish School System at Thursday’s School Board meeting.

“It’s humbling,” said Triche. “But it’s not about me. It’s about the kids.”

In a statement read by Superintendent Courtney Millet, Triche’s peers described her as “compassionate” and said the principal is constantly combing through data to improve the school’s performance.

“Her data drives us and points us in the right direction,” the statement continued.

Millet said to be eligible for the award one must have been a principal in St. John Parish for at least five years. While Triche is only in her third year at East St. John, she served as principal at district elementary schools before attaining the position at the high school.

During Triche’s tenure, East St. John’s performance score has increased by 20 points.

The district’s Teachers of the Year and Support Personnel of the Year were also announced at the meeting.

Taking home top teaching honors were Lake Pontchartrain Elementary’s Pamela Newman, West St. John High School’s James Kline and West St. John High School’s Chantel Walker in the elementary, middle and high school categories, respectively.

Support Personnel of the Year were Brent Tearney of LaPlace Elementary, Sandra Mutin of Lake Pontchartrain Elementary and Theresa Prough of East St. John High.