Lafayette Parish School System Superintendent Dr. Donald Aguillard has appointed Cheri Fontenot principal of Green T. Lindon Elementary School, Mary Qualey principal of Carencro High School, Mary Yvonne Zeno principal of Comeaux High School, and Catherine Cassidy principal of the new Southside High School. Mary Qualey, Mary Yvonne Zeno, and Catherine Cassidy report for work on July 7. Cheri Fontenot reports for work on July 22.
Cheri Fontenot earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from U.L. Lafayette and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She served as a middle school teacher at Sacred Heart Elementary School and Director of Education at Our Lady Queen of All Saints Catholic Church. Also, she served as an elementary teacher for four years at James Stephens Montessori School in Ville Platte. She is currently the principal of James Stephens Montessori School. In addition to her service, Ms. Fontenot is a National Board Certified teacher and has earned an International Montessori teaching certificate. She has earned many awards, including Teacher of the Year at James Stephens Montessori School and the Outstanding Community Contribution Award by the Ville Platte Mayor. Her school was a Top Gains School in 2012 and in 2014, and in 2016 she was named Louisiana Elementary Principal of the Year.
Mary Qualey earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Arts Degree from U.L. Lafayette. She earned an Administrative License from Gardner-Webb University and earned certification as a journalism instructor from the Journalism Education Association. Ms. Qualey has served at North Forsyth High School in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as a curriculum and testing coordinator. Prior to that position, she was the Title I Coordinator for the School of Biotechnology at the Simon G. Atkins Academic and Technology High School. She has also taught middle and high school English as well as newspaper and yearbook. Her administrative experience includes serving as assistant principal and acting principal at Carencro High School. Ms. Qualey was selected to be the recipient of the Joseph B. Whitehead Educator of Distinction Award. This award was associated with a $50,000 Coca Cola Scholarship.
Mary Yvonne Zeno earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree at Southwestern Louisiana University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from Northwestern State University. Ms. Zeno has served as a teacher and head coach of girls’ basketball, track, and cross country at Northside High School. Her administrative experience includes serving as the curriculum coordinator at Carencro Middle School, acting principal at Northside High School, and assistant principal at Lafayette High School. In addition to her service, Ms. Zeno was named 1996 Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year and is listed in Who’s Who Among American Teachers.
Catherine Cassidy earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education degree from U.L. Lafayette. Ms. Cassidy taught health and physical education at the Academy of Sacred Heart. She taught Business English and physical education at Iota High School. She has been at Acadiana High School for the last 16 years where she served as a health and physical education teacher, head girls’ basketball coach, and assistant principal. In addition to her service, Ms. Cassidy was named the LA High School Physical Education Recreation Department Secondary Health and Physical Education Teacher of the Year and District 3-5A Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year.