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Devon Willis-Jones, You’re a Milken Educator!

 

 

Dr. Holly Boffy, vice president of the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), praises Jeanerette for its quick improvement as Iberia Parish School District Superintendent Dale Henderson (left) and Principal Devon Willis-Jones look on. “You came to a school that was struggling, and what did you do? You made it great," she says. A new mother, Boffy says that Jeanerette's "little tigers" inspire her to get back to work educating students. (The tiger is Jeanerette's mascot.) Boffy also reminds students of the qualities their teachers aim to instill in them. "You've got to have big dreams, persevere, and work hard, especially when things are not easy ... and have compassion," she says. The presentation then takes an unexpected turn when Boffy introduces a surprise guest: Lowell Milken, chairman and co-founder of the Milken Family Foundation.