Most recently the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center was the place for the 7th annual Academic Excellence Teacher awards presented by the Terrebonne Foundation for Academics Excellence in Public Schools. The Terrebonne Parish School District recognized the 2006-2007 Teachers of the Year along with the Inspirational Teacher of the Year.

There were many special guest including Dr. James R. Davis and Governor Kathleen Blanco and many others were in attendance. Dr. James R. Davis the US Department of Education Deputy Secretary Regional Representative for K-12. Dr. Davis talked briefly about his history as a teacher. He quoted Horace Mann and saying "Public Education is the greatest invention ever proposed by man."

Gov. Blanco then took the stage after the Teacher of the Year and Inspirational awards. She congratulated all the winners and the nominees.

She expressed how well Terrebonne Parish School did this past year through all of the turmoil of last year's hurricane season. She also thanked Glenny Lee Buquet for her various work with the Terrebonne Foundation for Excellence in Public Schools.

There were three finalists from three categories. The categories were Elementary School Middle and Junior High School and High School. The three Elementary finalists were Cristy Crispino, Mulberry Elem. Tessie Guidroz, Coteau-Bayou Blue Elem. and Andrea Rodrigue, Dularge Elem. The three Middle and Junior were Melanie Boulet, Montegut Middle, Paige Hebert, Houma Junior, and Mary Theroit, Oaklawn Junior.The three High school finalists were LaCest Campbell, Ellender Memiorial High, Denise Harp, South Terrebonne High, and Kelly Hash, H.L. Bourgeoius. Three winners were Cristy Crispino, Melanie Boulet, and LaCest Campbell in the respected categories. The Inspirational Finalist was Melanie Boulet, Montegut Middle, Debra Hawkes, Caldwell Middle, and Lisa Rogers, Montegut Elementary. The winner was Lisa Rogers.

Through all of the donations to The TFAE, which totaled over One million dollars, the TFAE gave 33 Community Grants to teacher from the Terrebonne Parish School System. The TFAE also gave 9 School Impact to school that performed well over the last school year. These Grants were awarded to the recipients by the sponsor, which included James J. Buquet, Jr. Family Foundation Fund, The Rotary Club of Houma, T. Baker Smith, and many others.

The overall night was a great success for the TFAE Terrebonne Parish Schools and teachers