J.S. Aucoin principal in running for state honor

A local elementary principal has been named a semifinalist in the Louisiana Department of Education’s elementary Principal of the Year competition.
Shantell Toups, principal at J.S. Aucoin in Amelia, was named a semifinalist last week. She is among 24 semifinalists named in the Principal of the Year competition, according to a Louisiana Department of Education’s website.
Toups said she was “really shocked and humbled” to be named a semifinalist. She said when she received the notification, she thought the email was simply one informing her that she hadn’t advanced in the completion but congratulating her for participating and her service.
“Our parish works really hard to support us when we need it, and it’s just such an honor that I can represent St. Mary Parish as a semifinalist,” Toups said. “I definitely attribute it to my past mentors and to the faculties that I have been able to lead. Without them, it doesn’t make my job as easy as what it sometimes is.”
She was described as a “tireless and steadfast proponent of public education” by St. Mary Parish School System Superintendent Teresa Bagwell.
“St. Mary Parish Schools are very proud to have such a compassionate educational leader recognized by the Louisiana Department of Education and wish her well as she participates in the state’s competition for Principal of the Year,” Bagwell said.
Toups is in her fifth year as principal at J.S. Aucoin.
While she began her career working in an advertising agency after receiving a marketing degree, Toups changed direction after a few years.
“It wasn’t my passion. It wasn’t what I wanted to do,” she said.
Toups then turned her direction to a career in education. It was something she didn’t pursue in college because of the challenges associated with it such as low pay for the amount of time and effort they put in.
She started her career in special education before moving to teaching fourth grade. She later became a curriculum facilitator and an assistant principal before ascending to the role as principal.
In addition to a teaching certificate, she also has earned two master’s degrees, one in curriculum and another in administration.
As an educator, Toups said she enjoys interacting with the students the most.
“Just to see their faces light up and to make those connections,” she said.
Along with her two children, she said she considers the school’s 264 students as if they are her own “because they really just become a part of who we are.”
She noted that often, educators spend more time with their school children than their biological children.
A better appreciation of that relationship has come during the COVID-19 pandemic with the way school ended abruptly last year before resuming this year later than normal.
“What I do appreciate about the pandemic is that the parents put faith in us,” Toups said.
While she said parents of students at many schools opted for their students to participate in the school system’s virtual learning program, Toups said J.S. Aucoin had the lowest number of students do so.
“I kind of pride myself in that, because we made many … phone calls and reached out to parents, kind of eased their mind and put all the precautions into place and worked really hard to get our kids back to school, because we knew this was the best place for them,” Toups said.
She said that the students have reaped the benefits of returning to school, too.
Bagwell said Toups has cultivated “positive and trusting relationships” with students she leads and their families.
“She is well-respected as a role model among her peers and a dutiful educational leader that parents, students and teachers place their trust in to guide them safely and effectively down a path of academic success,” the superintendent said.
The Principal of the Year award finalists will be named May 25 at the 2021 Teacher Leader Summit in New Orleans.