Board of Directors
President
Debbie Troxclair
Lamar University
Dr. Debbie Troxclair, an Associate Professor at Lamar University, is a life-long advocate for gifted children's education. She has served on the board of directors for the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented and the Council for Exceptional Children-The Association for the Gifted. She co-chaired the 16th Biennial Conference of the World Council for Gifted and Talented Children (New Orleans-2005). And she has been an active member of The National Association for Gifted Children, the Texas Association for the Gifted and Talented, The Association for the Gifted-Council for Exceptional Children, The World Council for the Gifted and the European Council for Highly Able. Additionally, she has 20 years’ experience as a K-12 general education teacher/teacher of the gifted in St. Tammany Parish Publication schools and K-12 schools in the Houston area. Dr. Troxclair played a pivotal role in developing Lamar University's online master's degree program in special education and a gifted education concentration within the Teacher Leadership online master's program. She currently teaches courses in both programs. Her contributions also include conference presentations and publications in gifted education journals. She has authored/co-authored chapters in books published in the US and the Netherlands. Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Troxclair has embarked on a creative journey, taking art classes to rekindle her passion for watercolor painting.
Co-President
Micah Bruce-Davis
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Micah N. Bruce-Davis is an assistant professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She currently teaches graduate students in the gifted education program, supports residents completing their final year in the teacher preparation program, and teaches K-5 math methods courses. She has been a classroom teacher in Louisiana and Georgia. From 2010-2013, she was a research assistant at The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. Her research interests include talent development, specialized schools, and gifted students' affective development/needs. She also seeks ways to support in-service and pre-service teachers to implement classroom practices aimed at developing and supporting gifted behaviors.
Secretary
Jean Taraba
Ouachita Parish School Board
Jean is a mom to two daughters who were identified as gifted and feels strongly that gifted students deserve to learn in ways that suit their unique needs. She joined AGTS-Louisiana because she wants to be a part of an organization that makes sure gifted students' needs are voiced.
She enjoys being active in organizations that she belongs to, and one way she does that is to serve on their boards. She currently serves as the secretary of APEL and has been a board member for five years. She also served on the board of the River Cities Humane Society for Cats, a no-kill cat shelter in Monroe. During part of that time, she was appointed vice president. She also served in various leadership roles at her school.
She looks forward to becoming more involved with AGTS-Louisiana.
Vice President of Education
Samantha Webre
Lafayette
Dr. Samantha Webre is the Gifted & Talented Program Manager for the Lafayette Parish School System. Her focus in this role is to bring awareness to educators, parents, and community members about the unique needs and perspectives of gifted and talented students. The focus of her doctoral studies was gifted underachievement and discovering ways to engage all students to take ownership in their learning.
Vice President of Membership
Lauren Hatley
Lafayette Parish School System
Lauren Hatley has earned a Master of Education in Special Education: Gifted Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Ms. Hatley also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education. She is a Level II Louisiana licensed educator and has an add-on certification in academically gifted. Ms. Hatley holds a teaching license for the State of Wyoming for highly qualified early childhood education, from birth through eight years old. Ms. Hatley is currently a 2nd-grade Gifted and Talented in the Lafayette Parish School System. Additionally, Ms. Hatley is a Teacher Leader Advisor for the Louisiana Department of Education, National Educational Association member, and a Cincinnati Childrens' Parent Advocate for Rare Diseases.
Member At Large
Susan Tregle
St. Mary Parish School Board
Susan Tregle earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Nicholls State University, a Master of Gifted Education, and an Educational Specialist degree in Educational Technology, Leadership, and Instruction from Northwestern State University. She has taught for 25 years and has worked with gifted students in St. Mary Parish for 17 years. Susan is also an adjunct professor at Southern New Hampshire University. She is dedicated to advocating for gifted and talented students and recognizing their unique needs. Susan is a Member at Large and is excited to be a part of the Association of Gifted and Talented Children of Louisiana.
Member At Large
Christine J. Briggs
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Christine J. Briggs, Ph.D. is a Professor in Curriculum and Instruction and is the Director for the Center for Gifted Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She teaches gifted education and capstone courses for candidates pursuing a M.Ed. in Gifted Education as well as co-teaching in the educational leadership ED.D. program’s exceptional learner concentration. Her professional contributions include publications in Gifted Child Quarterly, Urban Education, presentations at NAGC, Confratute, Louisiana Lagniappe, MSERA, AERA, and National Social Science Association. She is co-chair of the NAGC Curriculum Network Award. Dr. Briggs continues to advocate for students of diversity and poverty to gain access to challenging and rigorous instruction to help uncover their gifts and talents. Her role on the AGTSLA board is Member-at-Large.
Past President
Lisa DeJean
Lisa DeJean is a wife, mother of four, and a retired educator whose career spans 35 years. She holds a BA in Curriculum and Instruction and a Master’s in Ed with an emphasis in Gifted. She developed the Academy Program while working in St. Charles Parish as the Technical Assistant for the Gifted and Talented. This program focused on the identification of students from diverse populations. Lisa is looking forward to continuing her advocacy for gifted, talented, and high-potential students of Louisiana in her current role as the AGTSLA President as well as serving on the Board of Directors for Louisiana School for Math Science and the Arts (LSMSA).
