DREAM TEACHERS CALLS FOR NOMINATIONS!

H. NORMAN SAURAGE III SERVICE AWARD

Nominations are Open

for this prestigious award that recognizes a teacher for outstanding community service. Students, teachers, principals, and parents may nominate a teacher for consideration. Thoughtfully describe the activities and reasons your nominee should be selected. Nominations will close on May 31, 2024.

2018 Winner

Meet last year's incredible winner — she exemplifies the spirit and dedication to community service inspired by

Community Coffee’s H. Norman Saurage III.

2018 Winner : LIsa Lukowski Wiggins

Instructional Librarian, Northwestern University Lab School, Natchitoches, LA

Ms. Wiggins’ commitment to community service is a long and sustained effort over two decades. It’s difficult to list all of her passionate activity, but here goes! She is an active member of Holy Cross Church and is the CCD teacher for youth; Mayor’s Health and Fitness Council; Advisory Committee for 4H; Chairman of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Pennies for Patients; Service League of Natchitoches; Community Drive for Hurricane Harvey; American Legion Auxiliary; Farmer’s Market Volunteer;Co-founder and assistant of NCHS Fishing Team; Cheer Coach; Coordinator for Empower NePali Girls; Coordinator for education materials for US Peace Corps in Swaziland, Africa; Summer Garden founder; Coordinator for book donations to St. Jude Children’s Hospital; Coordinator of Tab Top Collection for Sewing Hope Foundation, Africa.

Lisa sums it up this way: “Being the 4-H Leader gives me the opportunity to instill within my students character, citizenship and leadership skills. After a library research project, we join forces with the American Legion, the Northwestern State University ROTC, and high school Jr. ROTC to clean up cemeteries and place flags by veteran graves. We make cards and gifts to honor the veterans at Alexandria’s Veterans Hospital.

Lisa’s community service grows naturally out of her relationships with her students and their families as she creates was to teach practical life lessons that instill a love of “giving back.”

Note to 2024 Finalists

Finalists for 2024 will be selected by a Dream Teachers evaluation committee and invited to participate in the annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Gala held on July 27, 2024, at the World War II Museum in New Orleans. The 2024 winner will be announced at the Gala and will receive a personal cash award, plus a cash award that will be donated to his/her selected nonprofit cause.