Eunice High teacher earns parish honor

Where do you find the St. Landry Parish high school teacher of the year on a June morning?
This year’s winner, Rebecca Sonnier, was at Eunice High School.
“I love teaching,” she said. “I always have. I’ve been doing it for a long time and I love it.”
Sonnier graduated from Eunice High School and has spent her 23-year teaching career at the school.
Mitch Fontenot, principal at Eunice High School, nominated Sonnier for the award. Sonnier was given a plaque at the May meeting of the St. Landry Parish School Board.
“She is very active in our school,” he said of Sonnier. “She heads a lot of different committees. She has student council. She helps out with cheerleaders. She heads many, many organizations and committees over here.”
Fontenot added, “She is an excellent teacher. Very knowledgeable. She is one of those teachers that if you had a choice for your students to be in her class she would definitely be number one on the list.”
Sonnier received a plaque from the School Board during its May meeting.
“We are very lucky and fortunate to have her,” Fontenot said. “We feel blessed to have her over here.”
Sonnier said, “I’m very proud. I was proud to represent my city and my school and my students, and the other teachers I teach with.”
While she did not place in the regional contest, Sonnier said she is proud of the parish recognition.
“I was excited and humbled,” she said. “There are a lot good teachers here. I didn’t necessarily think I was better than anybody.”
Sonnier teaches advanced placement calculus, pre-calculus, advanced math, and functions and statistics.
Traits of an excellent teacher to her are knowing their content area, having a good connection with students, and earning the respect of students and parents.
“Together as team you can move mountains,” she said.
Sonnier said many of her students view her as teacher and parent since her children attend public school.