LAPLACE — Karen Dottolo’s record of success in the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District is impressive.

District officials said it includes 100 percent of her students meeting the state requirement for passing the LEAP test in fourth grade for the past 15 years.

For that and much more, Dottolo was recently recognized as the St. John the Baptist Parish Public School District Teacher of the Year, while also being named a semi-finalist for Louisiana Teacher of the Year.

The Louisiana Department of Education, in partnership with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals, recognizes and honors the state’s most exceptional teachers and leaders each year through the Teacher of the Year award program.

Finalists for Louisiana Teacher of the Year will be announced next month.

All Teacher and Principal of the Year finalists and semi-finalists will be honored at the 10th Annual Cecil. J. Picard Educator Excellence Symposium and Celebration July 15, when the Louisiana Teacher of the Year will be named.

Only 18 teachers from across the state are named semi-finalists for the honor.

Dottolo is a fourth grade English language arts and social studies teacher at John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School.

She has been a teacher for 31 years.

Christal Sylvain, John L. Ory Communication Arts Magnet School principal, said she could not think of a more deserving teacher to receive this honor.

“Mrs. Dottolo is completely invested in ensuring the success of all of her students,” Sylvain said.

“She meets each student where they are and provides the individualized support needed for them to do their very best.”

Sylvain said the Ory school family is proud to have a teacher like Dottolo impacting the lives of students daily.

“It is dedicated teachers like her that have helped our school to hold an A rating and our school district to have earned the B letter grade,” Sylvain said.

“She is a native of St. John the Baptist Parish that has committed her life to educating the children of this community.”