As it continues to grow, Riverside Academy has welcomed several new staff members into the Rebel family.

Six new men and women have joined the RA staff for the 2023-24 school year plus two new aides.

Mrs. Rachel Lord is a high school math teacher. She graduated from Nicholls State University with a degree in education. Mrs. Lord has two young children, Hayes and Harlyn, who attend Riverside Academy. Lord said she is very excited to be a part of our Rebel family, and she is even more thrilled to be at the same school with her children.

“Riverside gives off a family environment and I’m glad to call this place our new home,” Lord said.

She is adjusting well, but commuting back and forth from Houma can be tiring for her. She said it’s definitely worth it. She added that she loves that all of the school comes together as one during events and she especially loves the band.

“I love the school, staff and students. Everyone has been so welcoming,” Lord stated.

The new middle school English teacher is Mrs. Wendy Zeller. She has two grown children, neither of which attended school at Riverside. She earned her degree from Louisiana State University and taught second grade for 16 years before moving up to middle school grade levels this year. She said she is still learning the differences between the two grade levels.

“I’m excited to grow alongside my middle schoolers,” Zeller said.

Ms. Madison Roussel is the new office secretary. She graduated from Riverside in 2018 and has a child that is currently in PreK-3. Roussel said that her experience has been awesome so far, even on the craziest days. She is thrilled to be back at her alma mater, and to be able watch her daughter grow up and succeed in the same school both her parents went to.

“The faculty and staff are the best and have made this transition a breeze. I’m very grateful for this opportunity,” Ms. Roussel stated.

Mrs. Sylvia Perez is the new high school Spanish teacher. She was born and raised in Guatemala and even went to school there. Mrs. Perez has two children, one in college in St. Louis and the other in seventh grade at Riverside.

“Life is a challenge. We always face challenges in everything we do and this would not be the exception,” Perez stated.

She said she is blessed to have the received support from not only the teachers and staff, but also from a few parents. Mrs. Perez said working for Riverside Academy is not only exciting but also an experience and is learning to enjoy it more every day. She and her child are both very happy to be a part of the RA family.

​​Meah Badeaux is the new dance team coach and a PreK aide. She graduated from Riverside attended the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. She has 13 years of experience as a teacher and enjoys sharing her expertise in both the classroom and the dance studio. Badeaux said she is excited to be back at Riverside and watch it grow.

Coach Zane McCrary has joined the staff as a P.E. teacher and football coach. He graduated from Lutcher High school and earned his bachelor’s degree at Nicholls State University. He said he is thrilled to be joining the Rebels.

The new Pre-K aides are Ms. Kristen Cancienne and Ms. Destiny Judd.