LSU Education Alum Recognized as 2022 Louisiana Principal of the Year Finalist

Dr. Claudette Jackson Perkins recognized as a state finalist for the Louisiana Department of Education’s 2022 Principal of the Year

June 15, 2021

BATON ROUGE - Dr. Claudette Jackson Perkins was recently recognized as a state finalist for the Louisiana Department of Education’s 2022 Principal of the Year. Dr. Perkins is a career educator who began her educational journey as a teacher associate. She then earned her degree as a teacher, matriculating to serving as an elementary principal and equipping herself along the journey with both valuable experience but also, obtaining increasingly higher levels of education. She is a 2018 alum of the LSU School of Education and College of Human & Education, earning her doctorate in December of that year. As principal of Audubon Elementary in East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, where her recognition as East Baton Rouge Principal of the Year advanced her in the state competition, she is an acknowledged literacy leader.

While at Audubon, Dr. Perkins developed an intensive writing pedagogical model stemming from her bold move to enroll her administrative team and faculty literacy team in the School of Education’s Invitational Summer Institute, an annual offering of the LSU Writing Project. Perkins credits this intensive professional development and her team approach as the catalyst that shaped the school’s current culture of writing, called The Eagle Writing Program.

Dr. Margaret-Mary Sulentic Dowell, Professor of Literacy, Leadership, and Urban Education, and Perkin’s major professor, issued the following statement, “We are simply thrilled at her selection as a finalist as an alum and her stellar representation of the PhD programs in the LSU School of Education. Claudette is a consummate professional and well deserving of this honor.”

Dr. Neil Mathews, Director of LSU’s School of Education commented, “Being recognized as a Principal of the Year state finalist is a tremendous honor and speaks to her preparation, expertise, and educational leadership skill sets. We are delighted at this news.” Mathews notes that in 2019, Dr. Perkins accepted the College of Human Sciences & Education’s Outstanding Community Partnership Award, recognizing Audubon’s 30+ year tradition of partnering as a field experience and internship site for future elementary educators. Dr. Perkins herself has functioned as a field experience partner, supervising scores of elementary education majors who have been placed at Audubon as a means of experiencing literacy learning and teaching in an urban school that celebrates children, is relentless in tailoring education to the needs of all students, while participating with the Grades 1 through 5 Teacher Education Program, ultimately helping the SoE to better prepare future teachers. 

Dean Roland Mitchell of the College of Human Sciences and Education was also elated at Dr. Perkin’s accomplishments and her status as a state finalist. Stated Mitchell, “Dr. Claudette Jackson Perkins is the epitome of an educational leader. We are so proud to claim her as an alum and grateful that we played a part in her development as a leader. She will always be a winner in our eyes.”

About the LSU Writing Project
The Louisiana State University Writing Project (LSU WP), established in 1985, promotes the exploration of writing, writing research, and how to share writing best practice among educators. The goal of the Louisiana State University Writing Project is to improve the teaching of writing and ultimately, help Louisiana students become accomplished writers and learners

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About the PhD Program in Educational Leadership
The PhD program in P-12 Educational Leadership engages PhD students in relevant, demanding curriculum focused on leadership capacity, which involves high levels of academic rigor, with a relentless commitment to social justice education, and a unique programmatic focus on literacy leadership.

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About SOE
The LSU School of Education (SOE) offers graduate and undergraduate programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Leadership and Research, and Counseling, including two completely online master’s programs. SOE offers a range of professional and academic degree programs that focus on preparing students for careers in education, research, policy formation and implementation, as well as program oversight. The School’s mission is to prepare P-12 educational professionals to be leaders, practitioners, and scholars knowledgeable in contemporary educational issues. SOE is part of the College of Human Sciences & Education.  

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About CHSE
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, the School of Library & Information Science, the School of Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. These combined schools offer 8 undergraduate degree programs, 18 graduate programs, and 7 online graduate degree and/or certificate programs, enrolling more than 1,900 undergraduate and 1,120 graduate students. The College is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and is committed to improving quality of life across the lifespan.

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Mary P. Woods
Director of Communications
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