Louisiana Teacher of the Year Alisha Butler
The Louisiana Department of Education has named Alisha Butler of the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge as the 2026 Louisiana Teacher of the Year.
Butler teaches dual enrollment English and intermediate Braille and was recognized during the 20th Annual Educator Excellence Gala held this past weekend at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans. She said receiving the honor is especially meaningful after years of dedication to her students.
“I am so grateful for every single person that has been there for me, mentor me, encouraged me, that have encouraged me over the last several years,” Butler said.
As Louisiana Teacher of the Year, Butler will serve as an ambassador for educators across the state and will receive the use of a new Mercedes-Benz for one year. She said she is proud to represent Louisiana’s teachers and described the recognition as both an honor and a humbling experience.
The Department of Education also recognized several other outstanding educators during the gala.
Lauren Rentrop, principal of Patterson Junior High School in St. Mary Parish, was named Louisiana Principal of the Year. Rentrop said she was surprised to receive the award.
Under Rentrop’s leadership, Patterson Junior High has improved its LEAP performance by 18 points over the past six years and was the highest-performing middle school in St. Mary Parish on the 2025 LEAP assessments. During her acceptance speech, Rentrop credited the school’s students, faculty and community for the achievement.
“This is an incredible honor, and I am truly humbled and extremely proud to represent Patterson Junior High School, St. Mary Parish and the great state of Louisiana,” Rentrop said.
Additional statewide honorees include Sarah Corley of Alexandria, who was named Louisiana Early Childhood Leader of the Year; Katie Weber, a ninth-grade English teacher at Fontainebleau High School in St. Tammany Parish, who was selected as New Teacher of the Year; and Jillian Graves of St. Louis Academy Head Start in St. James Parish, who was named Early Childhood Teacher of the Year.
Louisiana Principal of the Year for 2027 Lauren Rentrop
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