Students and parents at four Lafayette Parish schools will see new principals this year, Lafayette Parish School System announced in a news release.

Layne Edelman, Principal of Lafayette High School

Layne Edelman graduated from Lafayette High School and earned a bachelors of science in secondarysocial studies from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Edelman began teaching social studies in 2007 at Ovey Comeaux High School.

In 2011, she completed her masters of education in Educational Leadership through the American College of Education, the news release said. She moved into an administrative role at Acadiana High School in 2012, where she served as an assistant principal for nine years before serving the past three years as principal. In 2021, she received the Mayor’s Award and was named the 2023 High School Principal of the Year for the Lafayette Parish School System.

“I am truly honored and excited to begin working alongside the faculty, parents and students of Lafayette High School. I firmly believe in the power of collaboration and believe that every challenge can be overcome with the spirit of unity and a shared commitment to excellence,” Edelman said.

Jason St.Pierre, Principal of Acadiana High School

Jason St. Pierre is a Navy veteran with a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern Louisiana University and a masters degree in Education Leadership from Southern University.

St. Pierre brings 25 years of experience in education, including 15 years as principal of Walker High School. St. Pierre’s career in education began at Denham Springs Freshman High, where he served as a teacher and coach. He quickly moved into administrative roles, becoming an assistant principal at Denham Springs High School and later the principal of Freshwater Elementary. He also led Walker Freshman High School as principal before his promotion to principal of Walker High School.

“Having successfully led one of the largest high schools in the state, St. Pierre’s experience as a principal is invaluable. We are pleased to welcome him to the district and the Scott community,” Superintendent Francis Touchet Jr. said.

In recognition of his leadership and commitment to student life, St. Pierre was named the 2022 Varsity Brands School Spirit Principal of the Year, a national award celebrating principals who significantly enhance the student experience, the news release said. In 2023, he was nominated as one of Louisiana’s semifinalists for the state’s Principal of the Year award.

St. Pierre is eager to bring his vision and expertise to Acadiana High School, where he aims to inspirestaff and students to achieve new heights of excellence, the release said.

Sherri Livesay, Principal of David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy

Sherri Livesay earned a bachelors degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and a masters ofeducation degree in Educational Leadership from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches.

Livesay began her educational career as an English Language Arts teacher for grades 6-12 in Iberia Parish, where she taught for 12 years. In 2017, Livesay joined the Lafayette Parish School System and became the instructional leader at Lafayette High School. Shortly thereafter, she accepted the position as the itinerant assistant principal for Acadiana High School and Lafayette High School before becoming a full-time assistant principal at Lafayette High School.

In the fall of 2022, Livesay joined the David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy administrative team under the leadership of Alex Melton. Livesay is excited to continue working with the community of David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy in her new role as principal, the release said.

Catherine Cassidy, Principal of Ovey Comeaux High School

Catherine Cassidy holds a bachelors degree in Health and Physical Education, a masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and an add-on certification in Administration from the University of Louisiana at Monroe.

Cassidy has 26 years of experience, with 24 years in the Lafayette Parish School System. Her career in LPSS includes 12 years of teaching and coaching, followed by four years as an assistant principal at Acadiana High School. Cassidy was the inaugural principal at Southside High School, where she spent seven years fostering school culture and serving as an instructional leader, the release said.

Transitioning to Director of High Schools in the preceding year, Cassidy has returned to her passion for direct engagement with high school students and staff.

In 2023, she presented to LPSS administrators on Promoting Feedback Culture through End of Year Reflections. Additionally, she served on the Protect Louisiana Schools Hurricane Preparedness Commission initiated by Louisiana State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley in 2021, and she was recently appointed to the Steering/Sustainability Committee for the Louisiana Development Ready Community.

Cassidy will bring her approach to developing the Whole Child to the OCHS community and is excited about the work that lies ahead, the release said.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Lafayette Parish School System announces four new principals