Master teacher Jessica Carmean of Bissonet Plaza Elementary in Metairie was selected as one of only 12 teachers from across the country to participate in the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s inaugural Fellows Program.
She has come a long way since the day her family immigrated from Honduras to the United States. The language barrier made school life difficult for young Carmean, but that changed when her fifth-grade teacher, Donna Hardee at Ella Pittman Elementary School in Harvey, noticed something about her.
“Every day, Mrs. Hardee asked us to bring ‘amazing vocabulary words’ and use them in a sentence,” Carmean recalled. “I chose the most comprehensive vocabulary word I could find in the dictionary, but I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to pronounce the word correctly in front of the class.”
“Ms. Hardee figured out why I was hesitant, came over to me and whispered, ‘Bring me something in Spanish.’ It was a small gesture, but it meant so much to me. It was a way for her to connect with me, and that gave me a huge boost in confidence about my work and my identity.”
This early vote of confidence and her continued commitment both in and out of the classroom led to her being selected as one of four teachers from Louisiana for the NIET program. The other three were from outside the New Orleans metropolitan area. Those selected for the program each received a $10,000 scholarship.
“I am honored to represent my school, Bissonet Plaza Elementary, and my district,” said Carmean, of Metairie. “I plan to take what I learn in this program and work with my school to continue to expand this work.”
Carmean is a graduate of St. Mary’s Dominican High School and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi and her Masters in Educational Administration from Louisiana State University. This is her 12th year at Bissonet, the only school where she has taught.
In 2019, Carmean moved into the role of Master Teacher.
“In school systems supported by NIET, master teachers assume educational leadership positions that support curriculum, instruction, teaching and learning,” Carmean explained. “We are teachers who are released from all or most of their regular teaching duties to provide educational leadership for approximately 15 of their colleagues.”
Erin Foster, senior specialist at NIET, said nearly 250 teachers from across the country applied for the program.
NIET selected the 12 fellows based on a rigorous application process that included a written application, letters of recommendation and an interview, Foster explained. Applicants were expected to hold a leadership position in teaching and have at least five years of teaching experience and experience supporting other educators.
“NIET was looking for dynamic and influential individuals with a proven track record of supporting instructional improvement and leading educator collaboration,” Foster said. “Jessica has worked in her district for more than a decade and is an exemplary teacher leader. She embodies NIET’s belief that promoting educational excellence is key to student success.”
Participants selected for the program will attend virtual networking meetings throughout the year and will be mentored by on-site NIET specialists to provide coaching and support. In addition, they will attend the 2025 NIET National Conference in February in Washington, DC.
James Gray, superintendent of Jefferson Parish Schools, said he was pleased with Carmean’s selection as a member of the NIET Fellows Program. “Jessica’s work embodies Jefferson Parish Schools’ commitment to strengthening student-centered learning,” Gray said.
“We know the selection process was rigorous and competitive, so we are very proud that one of our own leading faculty members was selected,” added Academic Director Laura Roussell. “Jessica’s participation (in the NIET program) will provide new learning opportunities for our colleagues in Jefferson Parish.”
Carmean explained the concept of teachers helping their teachers. The responsibility of a teacher, Carmean said, “can be so enormous that it can get lost in the day-to-day life of teaching and everything that comes with it.”
“We have about 80 different schools, and the work I do as a NIET fellow addresses a very real need in our district that is focused on increasing achievement for both students and teachers. Our roles are so much bigger, so much more than we sometimes realize, and our children deserve teachers who are committed to them.”
