Janelle Olivier Gonzales Lavergne – Elementary Education, 1977; Health & Physical Education, 1983

Janelle Ann Olivier Gonzales Lavergne

Upper Elementary Education – 1977

Health & Physical Education – 1983

Hi!

                I am Janelle Ann Olivier, a 1973 graduate from the former Sunset High School in Sunset, LA.  In May 1977 I received a B.A. at U.S.L. in Upper Elementary Education under the name Janelle O. Gonzales.  In December 1983 I received a B.S. at U.S.L. in Health and Physical Education under the name Janelle O. Lavergne.

                My five years at U.S.L. are memorable ones.  I stayed at U.P.A. Apartments, Denbo Dorm, and Gallery Apartments.  The dorm life can be summed up as one big happy family.  The faculty members were caring and helpful.  The Student Union was a place to meet old and new friends.  Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel was a place to attend mass and pray when needed.  The priests were always friendly and understanding.  The football games were filled with much school spirit and partying.

                Before receiving my first degree, I married Kirk Gonzales from Lafayette, LA.  We were married in May 1976.  I graduated a year later in Upper Elementary Education and began my first year of teaching at Little Flower School in Arnaudville, LA.  It was a very difficult first year for me as I was saddened with the death of my 24 year old husband, Kirk, who died in a helicopter accident in the Gulf of Mexico on December 8, 1977.  I completed my first year of teaching with the help of family and friends.  After this tragedy, I decided to return to college to pursue a degree in Health and Physical Education.

In August of 1979 I was hired as a sixth grade classroom teacher at St. Ignatius School in Grand Coteau.  This year I am beginning my thirteenth year at St. Ignatius School.  It is while working here that I met my wonderful husband, Marcus Lavergne, from Cankton, LA.  We were married in June 1981 and now have three sons–Josh 16, Ryan 13, and Shawn 10.

While at St. Ignatius School, I was chosen “Teacher of the Year” in 1994.  In 1995, I was selected to represent St. Ignatius School on a tour of the redwoods in California.  I am certified to teach Spalding and I am the Accelerated Reading Coordinator at our school.  My plans for the future include teaching until I retire.  After retiring, I plan to travel and see the world!

Janelle Ann Olivier Gonzales Lavergne