A 6th grade math teacher in New Iberia earned a national award for her approach to teaching.

NEW IBERIA, La. (KLFY) – A 6th grade math teacher in New Iberia earned a national award for her approach to teaching.

A school assembly at Johnston-Hopkins Elementary School on Tuesday celebrated 6th grade math teacher Christine Bayard as Milken Educator Awards Founder Lowell Milken and the state Superintendent of Education, Dr. Cade Brumley, presented Bayard with the national award and its $25,000 cash prize. 

“Christine Bayard is an innovative, instructional leader who infuses the joy and adventure of learning in everything she does,” said Lowell Milken. “Her exemplary dedication to educational excellence serves as an inspiration to students and fellow colleagues. We thank Christine for selecting teaching for her career and look forward to the contributions she will bring to the national Milken Educator Network.”

The Iberia Parish School District teacher joins the prestigious Milken Educator Network, a national group of exceptional professionals working to “Celebrate, Elevate, and Activate” the K-12 profession. 

“Ms. Bayard’s classroom is an innovative space where math transcends textbooks and students engage in real world lessons,” said Dr. Brumley. “Her commitment to a student-centered approach is seen through academic outcomes and the difference she has made throughout her school.”

The Milken Educator Awards, considered to be the “Oscars of Teaching,” will honor up to 75 recipients around the country in 2023-24 as part of the Milken Family Foundation’s Journey to the 3,000th Milken Educator. The $25,000 cash award is unrestricted. Some recipients have spent the funds on their children’s or their own continuing education, financing dream field trips, establishing scholarships and even adopting children.   

Bayard was completely unaware of her candidacy for the award. A graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, she earned a B.S. in psychology with a minor in child and family studies in 2009 and completed the alternative teacher education program in 2017 in the area of 4-8 middle school math. Baynard also founded the school’s math club and works with the Jr. Beta Club, reading mentor program and assists with JHOP’s end of the year “Fun Day.”

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