Brighter Future: A Tangi Schools Podcast

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Rushetta Baker, principal of Independence Leadership Academy, to talk about the experiences that shaped her as an educator and the vision guiding her first full year as principal. Rushetta shares how her journey took her from studying biology and health education to discovering a passion for teaching and serving stud...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Veronica Richardson, principal of Chesbrough Elementary School, to talk about her journey into education, her approach to leadership, and her vision. Veronica shares how a career path that began with a degree in accounting ultimately led her to discover her calling in education. From the classroom to district leaders...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Dr. Keith Sanders, the new principal of Ponchatoula High School, to discuss his approach to leadership and his vision for the school’s next chapter. As he steps into his new role, Dr. Sanders is beginning by listening. He shares how conversations with teachers, families, and community members, along with a close look...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Megan Picou, the new principal of Perrin Early Learning Center in Ponchatoula, to learn more about her journey into education and her vision for the school's future. Growing up in a family of educators, Megan shares how she discovered her calling to teach, the administrators who inspired her leadership journey, and w...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Michelle Gallo, a longtime community leader whose passion for helping children and families has made a lasting impact across Tangipahoa Parish. Michelle shares her journey from the food industry to becoming a driving force behind some of the parish’s most meaningful educational and community initiatives. From helping...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Tangipahoa Parish School Board President Trent Anthony for a conversation about the important role governance plays in public education. Trent provides an inside look at the responsibilities of the school board, including setting policy, approving budgets, establishing district priorities, and working alongside the s...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Nylah Tarver, a 2020 graduate of Loranger High School and current student at Southeastern Louisiana University studying television multimedia journalism. Nylah shares her journey from navigating graduation during the pandemic to discovering her passion for storytelling and communication. What began as an interest in...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Mrs. Ann Trappey, a longtime educator whose impact has reached generations of students across Tangipahoa Parish. Ann shares her journey into education, including a challenging first year that nearly led her to walk away, and how that experience shaped her into the teacher she became. Over the course of her career, sh...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Sharon Spring to discuss how the Reach University partnership is creating a new pathway for aspiring educators in Tangipahoa Parish. Through this program, paraprofessionals have the opportunity to earn a four year degree while continuing to work full time, gaining real classroom experience, contributing to retirement...

In this episode of Brighter Future: A Tangi Schools Podcast, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down with Ashton Lee, a proud Tangipahoa Parish graduate whose journey has taken him from Loranger Elementary and Loranger Middle to the IB program at Hammond High, and now to Washington University in St. Louis on a full scholarship. Ashton shares how growing up in Tangipahoa helped shape his goals, ho...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley sits down to talk about Teach Tangi, an initiative designed to help passionate individuals become certified teachers and serve students right here in Tangipahoa Parish. Joining the conversation is Sharon Spring, a former high school math teacher and administrator who now leads teacher certification and the Teach Tangi program for t...

In this episode of Brighter Future, we sit down with Dr. Anna Faye Caminita, Principal of Ponchatoula High School and Louisiana’s High School Principal of the Year, honored at the Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala. Dr. Caminita shares the leadership strategies, school culture improvements, and student-centered initiatives that have helped Ponchatoula High achieve remarkable growth an...

In this episode of Brighter Future, we sit down with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Gerald Sticker for an inspiring conversation about leadership, service, and community. From his early beginnings in Ponchatoula to his career in law enforcement and the U.S. Marine Corps, Sheriff Sticker shares how his life experiences have shaped his approach to protecting and serving Tangipahoa Parish. Tune in as he s...

In this episode of Brighter Future, Melissa Stilley sits down with Eva Delatte, Miss Southeastern Louisiana University, and the new Ambassador for Performing Arts in the Tangipahoa Parish School System. A proud graduate of Hammond High’s IB program, Eva shares her journey from the classroom to the stage—and how her DREAM Initiative is empowering students to discover their own creativity and purpos...

In our premiere episode of Brighter Future, Superintendent Melissa Stilley takes the hot seat! We dive deep into her story—exploring her childhood, the challenges and triumphs that shaped her, her journey through college, and the path that led her to become the superintendent of Tangipahoa Parish School System. Join us for a candid, personal, and inspiring conversation that gives listeners a behin...