Headmaster

Mr. Markel is a Louisiana Certified Teacher, classified as Highly Qualified in Science and Social Studies. He has a Master of Arts Degree from Tulane University and a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Wisconsin. Since his relocation from the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina, Mr. Markel had been teaching Physical Science and Chemistry to academically gifted students at Lafayette High School. He joined the LLS family in June 2007.

Secretary

Sharon Rae graduated from Bettendorf High School in 1956 and was a church secretary from 1954 through 1975. She was a foster parent; a total of 13 children in the state of Iowa from 1968 through 1976. She has been a church secretary, nurse's aide, and an administrative assistant. Sharon Rae enjoys traveling with her husband, singing, knitting, crocheting, spending time with her children and grandchildren, volunteering, and messing around with her flowers.

Pre-Kindergarten

Mrs. Heather graduated in May of 2007 with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband, Jerry have two children; Morgan, who is 8 and Elijah who is 3. They also have a baby due in August and will keep its gender a SURPRISE! Heather was raised in Louisiana and lived in North Dakota for 3 years before moving to Lafayette and completing college at UL Lafayette. She is excited about her opportunity to teach Pre-School, a job she has always wanted! She likes to take pictures, work with flowers, bake and play with children.

Kindergarten

Ms. Sherry graduated from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2003 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has taught third, sixth, and seventh grade at Our Lady of Fatima. She says, "I have always wanted to teach Pre-Kindergarten and/or Kindergarten, so I am very excited to be in this position." Sherry enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also likes to read, run, shop, and travel. She says her biggest passion in life is children!

First Grade

Ms. Mary has taught at LLS since 2001. She graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana with a B.A. in Education and also received her M.Ed. +30 in Education. She also has certification in Administration, Supervision and Gifted programs. She started her teaching career with the Lafayette Parish School System teaching third grade at Milton Elementary before becoming Assistant Principal at Alice Boucher Elementary. She was Principal at L.Leo Judice in Scott for six years then Principal at Alice Boucher Elementary before retiring from the public school system. While at Alice Boucher Elementary, Mary witnessed the struggle some students were having with poverty and learning. She and Angela Skerret Lege created the Azalea Park Neighborhood Tutoring Program which later grew into Sidewalks in Bloom.

Mary has received numerous awards including the National Points of Light Award, Kiwanis Club's Circle of Champions Award, Blue Cross/Blue Shield's Angel Award, and The Times of Acadiana Woman of the Year award. Mary is a native of and lives in New Iberia, Louisiana. Mary's mother, Eula Moss, and sister, Sally Moss, are also retired teachers. An animal lover, Ms. Mary has nine dogs and three cats. She loves to travel, listen to music, play the guitar/piano and teach.

Second Grade

Mrs. Hope graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She taught sixth grade reading and social studies in a Tennessee public school. She also taught middle school math and second grade in St. Bernard Parish public schools and briefly taught in a private school before hurricane Katrina destroyed the school. She was born in New Orleans and grew up in Kenner. She is married and has two children: her daughter is fifteen and her son, who attends Lafayette Lutheran School, is six. Hope and her family lived in Tennessee for seven years before moving to St. Bernard Parish. After hurricane Katrina destroyed their home, they moved to Lafayette and became members of First Lutheran Church.

Third Grade

Mrs. Jeannie graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1997 with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has taught at LLS since 2002, teaching first, second and third grade classes. She has been a member of First Lutheran Church since birth and is married to Craig Brister. She and Craig have two daughters, Katie and Jeanne. Jeannie has taught Sunday Church School at First Lutheran Church (1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades) along with her mother and sister.

Fourth and Fifth Grade

Mrs. Beverly graduated in 1978 from ULL in Political Science. In 1998 she moved to FL and did volunteer work with animals for 3 years. She then went back to school for her Elementary Education Certification. Beverly returned to Louisiana 3 years ago and taught part time at ESA Lower School. The following year she decided to teach full time and joined the LLS family as our 2nd grade teacher. During the 2006-2007 school year Ms Beverly ventured on her and became self employed for a year. But she says God had plans for her to return to LLS. She is now teaching our fourth and fifth graders.

Mrs. Beverly has 3 daughters; Jill is 25 and a 1st grade teacher, Laura is 24 and has a degree in Microbiology, her youngest daughter Annie-Kathryn, 19 is at LSU studying Chemical Engineering. She has one grandson, Darron, 3 1/2. Proud momma is Jill. In her spare time she likes reading, traveling, fishing, the outdoors, sign language and children!