University of New Orleans alumnus David Schexnaydre has been named the 2023 Louisiana Principal of the Year. Schexnaydre, principal at Harry Hurst Middle School in St. Charles Parish, will be honored during the 16th Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala in New Orleans on July 30.

Schexnaydre earned his master’s degree in educational leadership in 2010 and completed his doctorate in educational administration in 2016 at UNO. His dissertation research focused on principal implementation of state-mandated teacher evaluation programs.

Schexnaydre was named principal of Hurst Middle School in 2018.

“I am beyond blessed and honored to be named the 2023 Louisiana Overall State Principal of the Year. The outpouring of support has been incredibly humbling,” Schexnaydre said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve and looking forward to championing the students and teachers of Louisiana!”

The Louisiana Department of Education annually recognizes and celebrates some of the state’s most exceptional educators through the Teacher and Principal of the Year programs in partnerships with Dream Teachers and the Louisiana Association of Principals.

School systems from across the state submitted nominations to the state-level Teacher and Principal of the Year process.

The programs provide an opportunity to acknowledge teachers and leaders who are making exceptional gains with students, state officials said.

Schexnaydre joins a growing list of UNO graduates who have been recognized as state educators of the year: 

•    Donaldo Batiste (Ph.D., 1993) (LA Principal of the Year, 1998)
•    Brian Riedlinger (Ph.D., 1998) (LA Principal of the Year, 2000)
•    Stacey Neighbors (M.Ed., 2009) (LA Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2010)
•    A.J. Pethe, (M.Ed., 2003) (LA Principal of the Year, 2014)
•    La'Keisha McKinney (M.Ed., 1999) (LA Teacher of the Year, 2014)
•    Denise Rehm, (M.Ed., 2002) (LA Principal of the Year 2015)
•    Justin Burkhardt (M.Ed, 2015 (LA Middle School Teacher of the Year, 2015)
•    Tamika Green (M.Ed., 2001) (LA Middle School Principal of the Year, 2020)
•    Chris Dier (MAT, 2013; M.Ed., 2018) (LA Teacher of the Year, 2020)
•    Angelle Bourgeois (MAT, 2012) (LA Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2021)