Two exemplary Bossier Parish educators received exciting news today from the Louisiana
Department of Education that they are advancing as semifinalists for State Teacher and
Principal of the Year.
Leigh Machen is a ninth grade English Pre-AP teacher at Benton High School and has been
chosen as a Louisiana Teacher of the Year semifinalist. Machen is a 23-year educator with two
Master’s degrees, one in Educational Leadership and the other in Clinical Mental Health. She is
also a Provisional Licensed Professional Counselor (P-LPC), which has transformed her role as
an educator by prioritizing mental health and inspiring the “Easy to Love” movement that is
credited with changing school culture, specifically how teachers view and teach challenging
students.
Alyshia Coulson, who is in her 10th year as Principal of Bellaire Elementary School, has been
named a semifinalist for Louisiana Principal of the Year. Coulson also serves on the Louisiana
Association of Principals executive board and is a graduate of the Louisiana Superintendents
Academy. Under Coulson’s leadership, Bellaire has seen tremendous gains in math proficiency
and the percentage of students reaching benchmark on the K-3 Literacy Assessment.
“We could not be more proud of these two extraordinary educators, whose passion and
dedication shine in everything they do,” said Bossier Schools Superintendent Jason Rowland.
“Ms. Machen and Mrs. Coulson embody the very best of our profession and are more than
deserving of being recognized as top educators in the state. All of us at Bossier Schools are
thrilled to celebrate their achievements and will be cheering them on at the state level.”
Finalists for Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year will be announced in May at the
Teacher Leader Summit in New Orleans. All honorees will be recognized and the overall
Louisiana Teacher and Principal of the Year winners will be announced in July at the 20th
Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Gala.