Laura Roche Youngworth of Beaumont Middle School has been named Outstanding French Teacher of the Year by the Kentucky chapter of the American Association of Teachers of French. She’s now in the running for the overall Teacher of Year Award given by the Kentucky World Language Association and will be recognized Sept. 21 at the KWLA state conference in Lexington, according to a press release.
“I never imagined that doing what I love would receive the recognition of my peers, and I feel like there are so many others just as deserving,” said Roche, who uses her maiden name professionally.
Roche has taught since 2010 at Beaumont, where she also sponsors the French Club and organizes the Summer World Language Immersion Program. Previously she taught at Anderson County and Kenton County high schools. She is completing her doctorate of education at the University of Kentucky this fall. A graduate of Tates Creek High School, she earned a bachelor’s in French, English and Secondary Education, and a master’s degree and Rank I in Curriculum and Instruction.
Letters of recommendation for the statewide award included this endorsement: “When we traveled to Paris for two weeks, my children could easily converse with the Parisians, and as a parent, I can honestly say that is a true testament to what Laura had taught them in class,” Karen Lacefield wrote. “Laura has talent and the ability to reach her students with humor, compassion and understanding, and my children are better having had her as their teacher.”