Brought To You By Rapides Parish School Board; Written by Mary Helen Downey
Every day, Brittany Shackleford-Lopez tells her students she loves them. Every day, she means it.
It’s a small ritual that happens at the end of each class period, right before the bell rings and the hallways fill with noise. Six words: “I love you. See you tomorrow.”
This daily promise—and the heart behind it—is why Lopez was recently named Teacher of the Year by the Kiwanis Club of Alexandria. It’s also why, long before any award was given, students stopped by her classroom just to talk, former students came back to say thank you, and families found their way through the school doors feeling, perhaps for the first time, genuinely welcomed.
“On the hard days, it’s always the students who remind me why I do this,” Lopez reflects. “A simple ‘thank you’ or a smile is all it takes to ground me again.”
It’s this grounded perspective that has made Lopez not just an exceptional teacher, but a pillar of the entire school community. Beyond her classroom responsibilities as an Advanced Placement Psychology and Geography Teacher, she sponsors Student Council, coordinates Parent Academy, serves as Title I Chairperson and the school’s Community Engagement Coordinator.
Lopez’s journey as a teacher mirrors the growth she nurtures in her students. When she first started teaching, perfection was the goal.
“I’ve realized that relationships are the real foundation,” she explains. “Students don’t remember every assignment, but they always remember how you made them feel. My perspective has shifted from striving for perfection to striving for connection — and that’s made all the difference.”
That shift is evident the moment anyone walks into her classroom. There’s an energy there, something warm and tangible that makes students lean in rather than tune out. The secret, Lopez says, starts before the bell even rings.
“I greet my students every day with intention, and I make it a point to celebrate small wins — theirs and mine. I also try to keep laughter alive in the classroom; it’s amazing what joy can do for engagement and learning!”
But beneath the laughter and celebration lies something deeper: a fierce commitment to making every student feel they belong.
For her, education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Her work with Student Council and Parent Academy reflects a philosophy that schools thrive when everyone feels connected and valued.
“Student Council, Parent Academy, and all the other projects I take on are ways to build that sense of belonging. I love seeing students find their voice, families feel welcomed, and teachers feel supported.”
When asked what motivates her to take on so much, her answer is simple and profound: “Serving others is where I find my joy.”
That service has created ripple effects that extend far beyond graduation day. Lopez’s proudest moments come full circle when former students return to share how her class continues to impact their lives, or when a student she once mentored steps confidently into their own leadership role.
“Teaching isn’t always easy, but it’s purposeful,” Lopez says. “When I see students growing — not just academically, but as people — I’m reminded that what we do every single day truly matters.”
In a profession that often demands more than it gives, Lopez has found a way to fill her own cup while filling countless others. Her classroom is a place where everyone belongs and where a teacher’s love for her work is as palpable as the lessons she teaches.
