2025 LFLTA Teacher of the Year
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WINNER: MARINE RIDOUX
Born and raised in France, Marine Ridoux holds a Master's degree in Biochemistry and has built an international career in education across multiple countries. Her journey began in the United States as a French teaching assistant through the Fulbright program at a liberal arts college in Michigan. She later spent six years teaching Sciences in Morocco, at a French curriculum school. Marine has deepened her expertise with additional training in Neuroscience for Education, enabling her to incorporate research-based strategies into her teaching. Since August 2022, she has been a Middle School science teacher at Ecole Bilingue, a French immersion school in New Orleans. Marine is passionate about creating an integrative approach to science education, blending language acquisition with scientific inquiry to inspire her students. Beyond the classroom, Marine is an active advocate for professional collaboration. She is one of Region 1 representatives for LFLTA, and she has co-organized a monthly event for French immersion teachers in New Orleans. She also frequently contributes to teacher training initiatives in both the United States and France. Looking ahead, Marine remains committed to learning from her peers and sharing her practices to advance language and science education. |
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Finalist:
Geraldine Poublanc is currently French Immersion Teacher in Mamou Elementary School (Evangeline Parish). Teacher in Louisiana for 13 years. Previously, a teacher in Africa and France of literacy, history and geography. Trained as a lawyer, notarial law, teaching law was my first vocation. I am convinced that learning languages is a major asset in the education of children, and it is important for the future of a diverse society like ours. I aspire to unite teachers, but also authorities and administrations, to hear that language learning becomes even more developed for the future of our children in a world in constant motion. Leader of my school's French team, I communicate and share with my colleagues and I am very involved in the community and school activities that can be done within the school. For 2 years, I have been very active in the National Federation of Teachers (ACTFL, AATF) , being a speaker in Conferences to share my research. I have 2 dreams: Participate in creating a common curriculum for the United States for Foreign Languages (like CECR in Europe or ACTFL references) that would be applicable in all States so that learners have the same learning bases and progress in a logical direction, and create a shelter for all homeless dogs when I retire. |
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Finalist:
Katherine Zell joined the Newman community as an Upper School French and Advanced Placement Teacher in 2001 after graduating from Tulane University with a Ph.D. in French and Francophone Literatures. Prior to her move to New Orleans, Katherine taught English as a second language in Marseilles, France thanks to a Fulbright Award. From 2008 until 2016, she served as Chair of the World Languages Department at Newman, where she led initiatives to boost enrollment in lower school French, to partner with the Alliance francaise to offer DELF junior testing on campus, to direct the Nantes-New Orleans Homestay French Exchange program, to train students for the Bruno/Andry French Oratory Contest, and to found the French Immersion camp “Les Explorateurs” with Ecole Bilingue colleagues. Additionally, Katherine was recently appointed as an Upper School Faculty Mentor and the Upper School SEL (Social Emotional Learning) representative. She is currently training to become an Academic Coach and enjoys tennis, yoga, painting, cooking with her daughter, and reading about French and Francophone cultures. |