DeSoto Parish Schools recognized several educators for state and national achievements during the district’s first School Board meeting of the new school year.

Among those honored was Nicolas Williams, an English language arts teacher at Mansfield Middle School, who received the 2026 National Council of Teachers of English Middle Level Educator Award. The national honor recognizes excellence in English language arts education at the middle school level.

Keisha Harris, a math teacher at Mansfield Middle School, was also recognized after being selected to the Teach Plus National Teacher Policy Cabinet as a member of its 2026 cohort. The opportunity brings educators together to contribute their classroom experience and perspectives to education policy discussions at the national level.

The district also celebrated Hillary Severin, a fifth-grade math teacher at North DeSoto Upper Elementary, for being named a Louisiana State Teacher of the Year finalist. Severin was also recognized as one of the Top 3 Elementary Teachers in Louisiana.
In addition to recognizing the three educators, DeSoto Parish Schools welcomed its new resident teachers and first-year teachers to the district as they prepare for the new school year.

District officials said they look forward to supporting the new educators as they begin their work with DeSoto Parish students.

The recognitions highlighted both experienced and beginning educators as DeSoto Parish Schools kicked off another academic year.