Meet Our Faculty

Kyle Finke

Executive Director & CEO

Leading LRCE since 2017, Kyle focuses our efforts on meeting Louisiana student needs through high-performing teacher training and support programs. Kyle comes to this work as a career changer - from the jewelry industry to middle-school science teacher through a series of increasingly complex roles training new teachers - and brings that understanding into LRCE’s work as the leading alternative certification program in Louisiana.

Kyle serves as a member Dean in the national group Deans for Impact, which focuses on improving teacher preparation, and as a founding board member and chairperson of Rooted Schools. Rooted is a national network of charter high schools devoted to helping students graduate with skills certification in high-growth, high-wage technical industries. An avid builder and problem-solver, Kyle enjoys working on complex issues that have no clear solution here in the Deep South.

Christopher Joyce

Senior Director of Program

Christopher has served as an elementary teacher, master teacher, curriculum writer for the Louisiana Department of Education, principal, and school leader coach. In these various roles, Chris has seen how the classroom teacher is the single greatest determinant of student learning in a classroom.

He has focused his career on improving teacher quality to support all students across Louisiana. Currently, Chris leads the Teach! Program team responsible for our teacher training and coaching focused on curriculum and pedagogy deeply rooted in Learning Science. Chris holds his Bachelor’s Degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY and his Masters in Educational Leadership from Our Lady of Holy Cross College in New Orleans, LA.

Katie Hagan

Katie is a passionate educator with a background in Psychology from Gonzaga University and a teaching certification in Biology for grades 6-12. She spent eight years teaching middle school science in New Orleans charter schools before transitioning into coaching and instructional leadership roles.

Katie has served as a Science Instructional Manager, Teacher Leader Advisor for Louisiana’s Department of Education, and a Curriculum Manager, where she developed professional development and instructional supports for teachers. At LRCE, Katie supports day-to-day operations and helps guide educators through their licensure journey, working closely with practitioners as they become certified. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Katie loves spending time outdoors, whether she's walking her dog, enjoying a cup of coffee, or hanging out with her husband and daughter.

Juanique Dugas

Director of Training & Instruction

Juanique is a lifelong learner and educator who spent 15 years serving Louisiana students in high-needs public schools. Driven by the motivation to dismantle instructional inequities that students face, she has made it her mission to support teachers with providing a high-quality, equitable education to all students.

During her career as an educator, she has served as a classroom teacher, mentor teacher, content leader, and instructional coach. Additionally, she has served on several committees for school districts and the Louisiana Department of Education. Currently, Juanique supports our Instructional Coach Fellows as they build their coaching toolbox while simultaneously supporting our practitioners on the path toward teacher certification through our training program. Juanique earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as well as a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Northwestern State University. When she is not working, she enjoys reading and spending time with family, especially Tyris, her daughter.

Helane Chevis

Director of Enrollment & Partnerships

Helane is an experienced educator with twenty-one years of experience in Louisiana schools. Driven by a passion to improve educational outcomes for students, she takes pride in ensuring all students have access to champion teachers and quality instruction.

She has accomplished this through her roles as a classroom teacher, master teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Her accomplishments include serving as school and district Teacher of the Year. Helane was also honored by the New Orleans Saints as Teacher of the Week. Currently, Helane builds and maintains relationships with LRCE partners and assists prospective practitioner candidates with the enrollment process. Helane earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern University at New Orleans as well as a master’s and +30 in Educational Administration from the University of New Orleans. In her free time, Helane enjoys volunteering, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with her husband and son.

Addie Kelley

Director of Training & Instruction

Addie taught in Louisiana schools for ten years before transitioning to the educational nonprofit world. In her time in the classroom, Addie worked as a Teacher Leader for her district, as a Teacher Leader Advisor for Louisiana’s Department of Education, and as a curriculum writer for the Louisiana ELA Guidebooks.

Addie’s nonprofit work includes designing, developing, and delivering scientifically grounded teacher professional learning, supporting school and district leaders to adopt and implement high-quality curriculum, and coaching teachers and instructional coaches to plan and teach lessons that include best-practice instructional strategies. In August 2021 Addie graduated from Baylor University with an Ed.D. in Learning and Organizational Change. She also published a chapter on improving teacher professional learning through inquiry cycles in a book entitled Supporting Early Career Teachers With Research-Based Practices. Addie’s passion for developing champion teachers to serve Louisiana kids led her to LRCE where she supports coaches and practitioners as they develop their pedagogical content knowledge toward teacher certification. In her free time, Addie can be found running carpool to ballet, Girl Scouts, swim practice, art lessons, et al. She also enjoys reading, cooking, and crafting.

Veronica Stanek

Receptionist

Veronica, also known as Ms. V, is LRCE’s longest-serving employee. After graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe with a degree in French and English Education, Veronica had careers as a middle/high school teacher, and information technology manager for the state of Louisiana.

Nicole Nelson

Training & Instruction Manager

Nicole’s education journey began in 2001 when she completed her senior year in college as a communications major and a marketing minor. Working as a substitute teacher during her senior year led her to her life's calling.

She completed the degree and enrolled in an alternative certification program. Today, she holds a Master's plus 30 in Education Leadership, certification as a Reading Specialist, and ESL instructor. Nicole has worked in many areas of education, teaching in almost every grade level, K -8, as a Reading Interventionist, Instructional Coach, TAP Master Teacher, Core Advocate, Teacher Leader Advisor, and an Early Literacy Trainer for Tennessee. Nicole has also advocated and facilitated with Stand for Children and Core Advocates. She co-produced teacher training across Louisiana for new and experienced educators. Today, as she continues to develop personally and professionally, she continues to serve the future of Louisiana in a greater capacity by serving teachers and coaches at LRCE.

Board of Directors

Chloe Wiley

Board Chair
Blue Cross And Blue Shield Of Louisiana Foundation

Emily LeBeau

Vice Chair
Deloitte

Jimmy Sylvester

Treasurer
Turner Industries

Dr. Sharmayne Rutledge

Secretary
Invicta Consulting

Kyle Finke

Executive Director & CEO
Louisiana Resource Center For Educators

Toby Guidry

Board Member
Baton Rouge Coca-cola

Tiffany Whitehead

Board Member
Episcopal School Of Baton Rouge

Molly Quirk Alexander

Board Member
State Farm

Courtney Richardson

Board Member
Southern University Law Center, Office of Academic Support and Bar Prep

Jason Chauvin

Board Member
St. Michael the Archangel School

Shawn Vance

Board Member
Southern University Law Center

Devin Zito

Board Member
Assurance Financial

Meet Our Faculty

Kyle Finke

Christopher Joyce

Katie Hagan

Juanique Dugas

Helane Chevis

Addie Kelley

Veronica Stanek

Nicole Nelson

Board of Directors

Chloe Wiley

Emily LeBeau

Jimmy Sylvester

Dr. Sharmayne Rutledge

Kyle Finke

Toby Guidry

Tiffany Whitehead

Molly Quirk Alexander

Courtney Richardson

Jason Chauvin

Shawn Vance

Devin Zito

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