LaShondra Herrine has been teaching 2nd grade at Chastang Fournier K-8 School for just two years. However, she is already making a significant impact.
“I nominated Ms. Herrine as MBP Teacher of the Month because her dedication and willingness to help her students is awesome to watch, and the sacrifices she makes to ensure they have her full attention and the resources to succeed are unmatched,” shared Jillesa Edwards, a long-time friend. “Her passion for teaching and children creates a safe space for their learning and development.”
For 15 years, Ms. Herrine worked as a daycare teacher, caring for babies and toddlers. While she loved her job, she ultimately felt a calling to do something greater.
“I felt like I could help shape the minds of young children and I wanted a challenge, so I decided to become a teacher,” she shared. “This has been my dream since 2013. I had to step out on faith and believe I could do what I was called to do.”
Armed with a blackboard and textbooks, Ms. Herrine believes that the best way to educate her students isn’t through smart boards or complicated math but rather through an “old school way” of teaching and real-world connections that keep them engaged. Her greatest reward comes from verbal praise—not only from teacher to student but also from teacher to parents. She prioritizes informing guardians about their child’s growth and milestones.
“When I was in 12th grade, my teachers prepared me for the real world,” Ms. Herrine reminisced. “The way they cared about me and made sure I had the skills and knowledge to succeed in life really impacted me. This is why I became a teacher—I knew one day I would get the chance to give back by pouring love and nurturing others as they did for me.”
LaShondra Herrine earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Faulkner University in Mobile. She also plans to pursue a Master’s in Elementary Education soon. When she isn’t teaching, LaShondra enjoys shopping, making delicious salads, and spending time with her nieces and nephews. She also enjoys attending sporting events and staying productive in life.
