ABBEVILLE, La. (KLFY) -- The Louisiana Department of Education has selected Fatmina Brown, with United Way of Acadiana Early Learning Center in Abbeville, as an Early Childhood Teacher of the Year.

The department recognizes that great educators and leaders play a crucial role in student success. Each year the department partners with Dream Teachers to announce exemplary early childhood teachers and leaders.

Brown said the honor is very exciting because it is "a privilege when you are recognized by your peers for your hard work and dedication.”

Brown said she has been teaching for more than 20 years.

"I started right out of high school. I did most of my teaching at Head Start and I've been here for three years at United Way with Early Head Start. I enjoy it because, with Early Head Start, you kinda setting the foundation for learning, and when you can set a foundation, a strong foundation, then the possibilities are endless," she said.

Brown said her favorite part about her job is the long-lasting effects of the work.

“When we come to work, we don't just try to teach daily lessons. We teach lifetime lessons so the kids will have something to fall back on later in their life,” she said.

“Teaching is not for everybody. You have to have a passion for it, and once you have a passion for it, you'll live by the saying if you love what you do, you will never work a day in your life because teaching is a lifestyle. It's not a job," she continued.

Raquel Malveaux, director at the center, said Brown is a "really good" teacher.

“She goes above and beyond with the curriculum and she loves the children as if they were her own and we're just we're proud of her,” Malveaux said.

Brown thanks the directors and supervisors who have nominated her.

Brown is now in the process of applying to move on to the next level, which is for the state.

This week she will be graduating from SLCC in general studies and is attending Northwestern State University for a bachelor of science degree in child and family studies.

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