Mrs. Emily Theriot

Second-grade teacher Emily Theriot began teaching in Lafayette Parish in 2010, after graduating from UL Lafayette. In 2011, she became a teacher at ESA, and she says she fell in love with the school, the place, and the people! Here's our Q&A with Mrs. Emily:

I’ve taught second grade since my first year at ESA. Fun Fact: I also taught science to third and fourth graders my first year at ESA!

I love my students and my colleagues. They both make my days so enjoyable and pleasant. I truly love my days at ESA. People laugh at me when I say how much I enjoy going to work - but it’s the absolute truth! Everyone lifts each other up and makes the days fun.

I praise my students by their hard work and effort, and that through that hard work they reach success. I want students to be proud of the work they are doing, and often they need to hear that praise from me over and over so that they start to be their own cheerleaders and believe in themselves as much as I believe in them. Young children need to be told (quite often) how amazing they are!

This is a tough question, but I honestly love teaching handwriting. With the infamous “Scribbles” (our handwriting mouse) in hand, I love walking around the room with him and seeing my students’ faces light up when he comes by their desks. Their giggles, squeals, and smiles make the mediocre tasks become magic. That's the magic of ESA! Sometimes he’ll even draw little “scribbles” faces on their papers when he sees exceptional handwriting, making them so proud of their work!

I have loved dancing my entire life. I started assisting in dance classes in middle school, and I honestly think this is where I began to love teaching children. I still teach three and four-year-olds every week and enjoy seeing the progression throughout the year. I am also a pretty crafty person! While I’m no where near professional, painting, crafting, and making things beautiful bring me such joy! I love inspiring students to see that their minds can create beautiful things too!

I would tell them that it is a place like no other. It truly is a place of study and a place of play. For teacher and for students. There’s magic in the learning here from all teachers and it cannot be matched anywhere else.