LAPLACE — Natalie Klibert remembers middle school as an especially difficult time for her as a student.

She said her teachers’ constant encouragement and support were essential.

“A lot of days this is what got me through,” she said. “This is also why I chose to teach middle school, in particular. This idea was fortified by my high school physics teacher, Mr. Borne. He made class so engaging.”

It’s apparent Klibert is making things engaging as well, as the John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School teacher was recently recognized as a semifinalist for State Teacher of the Year.

Klibert is one of 18 teachers statewide selected as a semifinalist.

Louisiana Association of Principals Executive Director Debra Schum helped celebrate the honor with Klibert this month, as she surprised the second year middle school teacher on campus by dropping by with gifts to recognize Klibert for her accomplishment.

Klibert, who teaches social studies to seventh and eighth graders, said she builds confidence in her students at the beginning of the school year by letting them know she believes she has the smartest students in the world.

“Then, I break the more complex Common Core standards into smaller, more manageable tasks,” Klibert said. “We start with things as simple as playing detective and finding evidence in a source. By the end of the year, my students are writing college-quality papers on subjects such as the cause and effect of the Indian Removal Act.”

Klibert attributes her success to a passion for teaching and wanting to make a difference.

She said her students know she is in class every day because she wants to be there and because she loves it.

“It makes them want to be here and do well,” Klibert said. “I also attribute my success to the wonderful teachers I have had along the way, my family, my administration and my coworkers. All of these people have been so loving and supportive of me. It has made me want to do my absolute best.”

John L. Ory principal Christal Sylvain praises Klibert for her confidence to teach across the curriculum, calling Klibert a model for the implementation of the Common Core State Standards.

“I can’t think of a more deserving teacher for this honor,” Sylvain said. “She has by far exceeded our expectations for what we expect in a teacher. It’s because of teachers like her that we will reach the district’s goal of becoming a top 10 school district in the next five years.”

The 2016 Louisiana Teachers of the Year will be named July 11 during the 9th Annual Cecil. J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium in Baton Rouge.

Finalists will be announced next month.