Zachary High Teacher of the Week: Dwayne Chatelain

Age: 42 Birthdate: Nov. 14, 1970

Hometown: Mansura, La.

Family: Aimee, wife, of six years, and Madelyn, daughter, age 4

Currently resides in: Zachary

High School attended: St. Joseph’s High School in Plaucheville, La. (Avoyelles Parish)

Years in education: 17

Years at ZHS: 10

Subjects taught: American History

Clubs/Sports/Organizations (Other duties at ZHS): Twilight School Coordinator, Saturday School Moderator, Tutoring Bus Driver

Education: Obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Performance (Teaching Minor-Social Sciences) from Northeast Louisiana University in Monroe in 1996 and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Southern University in 2010.

What was it that led you to a career in education?

“I’ve always felt that having the opportunity to interact with young people on a daily basis keeps you young at heart!”

Why become a teacher? Did someone or something influence you early on?

“Aside from family influences, I’d say the fact that I attended a very small school played a huge role in me becoming a teacher. It was very much a family atmosphere at my school...our teachers were our heroes growing up.”

What do you enjoy most about your job?

“I thoroughly enjoy witnessing my students’ growth as critical thinkers as the year progresses...seeing them get interested in a topic, then running into them years later and they tell me, ‘I saw this movie and thought of you’ or ‘I’m reading this book on the JFK Assassination!’ Those little things make you feel as though you’ve left a mark with your students.”

Is there a life lesson you try to teach to your students...something besides the subject matter at hand?

“I try to also teach them about having a good work ethic, having respect for others’ opinions and viewpoints and about family values.”

Name something your students would be surprised to know about you.

That I have an XBox 360 and that my wife got me a copy of Assassin’s Creed III for Christmas.

If you could do anything else as a profession, what would it be, and why?

I’d be a chef. I enjoy every opportunity I have to cook for my family. Food is the common factor that brings our family together.   In my family, the time spent creating an enjoyable meal from scratch shows how much you love those who you’re preparing the meal for. 

Do you have any hobbies?

“I like to play fantasy football, attend my students’ events at ZHS and officiate youth league and high school sports.”

Teacher’s favorites...

Book: “The Revolution: A Manifesto” by Ron Paul

Movie: Forrest Gump

Restaurant: Anywhere I have a gift card or coupon!