Effective July 1, the positions previously known as Directors of Schools will be reclassified as Chiefs of Schools, and three LPSS veterans will fill the roles: Ginger Richard, Chief of Elementary Schools; John Mouton, Chief of Middle Schools; and Julia Williams, Chief of High Schools. These leaders will oversee school operations regarding district accountability and academic support, and report directly to Associate Superintendent Dr. Mark Rabalais
Ginger Richard
Chief of Elementary Schools
Ginger Richard started her 20+-year education career teaching general education and English Language Learners at Ridge Elementary School. She served as Supervisor of Language Acquisition, overseeing Immersion, World Language, and ESL programs across the district. Mrs. Richard was then named Director of Elementary Schools and will now lead the LPSS K through 5th grades as Chief.
She has held various leadership roles within the Lafayette Parish School System, including Elementary Math Lead Teacher, Instructional Strategist at Milton Elementary/Middle School, Assistant Principal, and Principal of Green T. Lindon Elementary School. As Principal of Green T. Lindon Elementary, Mrs. Richard was a semifinalist for the Louisiana State Principal of the Year and was named the 2021 Lafayette Parish Elementary Principal of the Year.
“I am deeply honored to work in this capacity for the Lafayette Parish School System. This role carries significant responsibility, and I am committed to working tirelessly alongside Superintendent Touchet and our school leaders to ensure that every student has access to high-quality education and the opportunity to succeed,” said Mrs. Richard.
“Mrs. Richard’s vast leadership experience will be integral to her success in her new role as Chief of Elementary Schools, allowing her to truly understand and address the challenges faced in these formative years,” Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr states.
Mrs. Ginger Richard holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership.
John Mouton
Chief of Middle Schools
John Mouton began his educational career with the Lafayette Parish School Board as an educator at Scott Middle School, where he laid the foundation for his career. Recognizing his talent and dedication, he was appointed Assistant Principal at LJ Alleman Fine Arts Magnet Academy School, where he played a pivotal role in supervising departments and leading initiatives such as LJ Alleman’s Blue Ribbon Campaign.
His leadership abilities flourished further when he assumed the role of Principal at Broussard Middle School. Under his guidance, the school experienced a remarkable transformation, with its performance skyrocketing from a "C" to a "B." Notably, Mr. Mouton spearheaded efforts to establish Broussard Middle as a Leader in Me School, emphasizing student leadership and empowerment. His achievements were recognized with multiple Principal of the Year awards from the Lafayette Parish School System, Louisiana State Middle School Principal Semi-Finalist, and the prestigious Louisiana Association of Educators Administrator Image Award.
Beyond his role in school leadership, Mr. Mouton expanded his impact as the Director of Employee Services for the Lafayette Parish School System. In this capacity, he oversaw a substantial workforce of over 4,200 employees and ensured the smooth functioning of Human Resources, Recruitment and Retention, and New Teacher Initiatives.
"As Chief of Middle Schools, Mr. Mouton’s leadership experience and his unwavering commitment to academic excellence will drive positive change and elevate educational standards for middle school students and educators alike,” states Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr.
Mr. Mouton holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a Master of Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Julia Williams
Chief of High Schools
Julia Williams began her teaching career at her alma mater, Lafayette High School, leaving after ten years to become the district’s high school math lead teacher. She transitioned into the role of assistant principal at Northside High School and, in May 2015, was named the principal at Northside High School. During her time at Northside, the school improved from an F rating to a C. After seven and a half years as principal of NHS, Mrs. Williams was named the principal of Lafayette High School, where she had been for the last year and a half.
During her tenure as a teacher, Mrs. Williams received the 2011 Louisiana State Teacher of the Year award and was honored at the White House by President Obama with all the 2011 State Teacher of the Year honorees. Mrs. Williams is also the 2020 and 2022 Lafayette Parish School System High School Principal of the Year.
Throughout her career, Mrs. Williams continued her education by completing the National Institute for School Leadership Executive Development Program, building on her capacity as a leader in educational administration. She received training from the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching, specializing in teacher coaching and growth strategies to enhance instructional practices. Julia participated in the
ACT Data: Accelerating your School and Student Success 2.0 workshop at the Louisiana Department of Education, gaining insights into leveraging data for school improvement.
“Julia Williams' extensive educational training and experiences have equipped her with the knowledge and insight needed to lead with excellence and make a positive impact on the education system as our new Chief of High Schools,” states Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr.
Mrs. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Mathematics Education from Louisiana State University and a Master of Gifted Education and Educational Leadership from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.