It was a starry Saturday night in New Orleans on July 27 where two Bossier Parish educators were in the limelight at the 18th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala.

Sun City Elementary educator Alex Devine was honored as one of nine New Teacher of the Year state finalists from across Louisiana. Last school year marked Devine’s first year in education. He teaches first grade at Sun City. A graduate of Jackson State University, Devine received the President’s Award for his high academic achievement and was also honored with the Dean’s Award for his commitment to excellence and dedication for helping students reach their full potential.

Chris Kourvelas, an 18-year educator at Elm Grove Middle School, was recognized as a state finalist for Louisiana Teacher of the Year, then went on to be named the overall 2025 Louisiana Middle School Teacher of the Year. Kourvelas has taught almost every grade level and subject over the span of his career in education. He currently serves as a social studies teacher, boys basketball coach and athletic director at Elm Grove Middle.

Kourvelas is a 2022 recipient of the President’s Award of Excellence for Outstanding Civics Teacher, an honor bestowed on him by the Louisiana Center of Law/Civic Education and the Louisiana State Bar Association.

Bossier Schools is proud of these two phenomenal educators and male role models who are making a positive impact everyday in classrooms. Congratulations to them both.