Six Bossier Parish educators were surprised today with the news they will be representing Bossier Schools as the District 2025-26 Teachers and New Teachers of the Year.

Teacher of the Year candidates are educators who have been in the classroom for at least two years and New Teachers of the Year are first-year educators who demonstrate excellence in their field as well as leadership, innovation and positively impact student growth and achievement. The process for selecting a Louisiana Teacher and New Teacher of the Year starts at the school level, then advances to the district. The next step is the state level.

Bossier Parish Teachers of the Year

Jennifer Allen was chosen as the 2025-26 Bossier Parish Elementary Teacher of the Year. Allen is a 15-year educator who currently teaches music and theater at Benton Elementary. She is a third generation educator whose goal is to use the power of music and theater to enrich the lives of her young learners.

Crystal Wood will represent Bossier Parish as its Middle School Teacher of the Year. Wood is a seventh grade English Language Arts teacher at Haughton Middle School who is passionate about empowering students to express themselves through writing. She is also certified as a Louisiana Mentor Teacher.

Rachel Bryant is the High School Teacher of the Year for Bossier Parish. An 11th grade Advanced Placement English Language and Composition teacher at Benton High, Bryant also teaches journalism. She started a news class for juniors and seniors that produces a school newspaper along with a weekly broadcast.

Bossier Parish New Teachers of the Year Kirsten Hackleman is the Bossier Parish Elementary New Teacher of the Year. She is a fifth grade English Language Arts and Social Studies teacher at Curtis Elementary. A native of Bossier, Hackleman returned to her community to start her teaching career.

Michael Shelton will represent Bossier Parish as the Middle School New Teacher of the Year. An eighth grade Science teacher at Rusheon Middle School, Shelton believes in the power of personal connections and is committed to fostering meaningful relationships with his students, believing it is essential to fill multiple roles in their lives.

Emmitt Antwine teaches Pre-Advanced Geometry at Haughton High and is the High School New Teacher of the Year. Recognized for his innovative teaching methods, Antwine is committed to creating a classroom environment where students feel encouraged to take risks, learn from their mistakes and grow both academically and personally.