Staff

Posted on by Cindy

Kindergarten

Diane Edwards – Teacher

Diane is married to Ricky and they have 10 children and 16 grandchildren. She graduated from NSU with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Diane started her teaching at Central School in Jennings. After having her first child, she decided to stay home to raise her family. She has taught at FBC School for 16 years! She is a member at OLHC and has taught CCD for 39 years. Diane’s favorite thing about teaching is to get to know each child and helping them learn and grow to the best of their ability. She loves learning and growing with them! One of her favorite verses is: “love never fails.” 1 Corinthians 13:8

 

 

 

 

Jessica Fontenot – Aide

Jessica is married to Randy and they have four children: Makaylee, Drake, Tayton, and Ayvlee. She has an associates degree in accounting and office systems; she is currently a Junior at Grand Canyon University pursuing a degree in educational studies. Jessica enjoys being a mom! When she isn’t coaching or watching a game, Jessica is usually reading, cooking, serving at church, singing or visiting with family. One of her favorite verses is: Jeremiah 1:7-9, But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you, declares the Lord.” Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.

 

PreK 4

Debi Fontenot –  Teacher

Debi is married to Josh and they have 3 sons. She has been an aide for 6 years and has prior teaching experience at St. John’s and Bethel. She is a member at FBCJ. Debi is a JHS graduate and attended McNeese and Sowella where she received her CNA/LPN. She likes to fish, craft, photograph, learn new trades and spend time with her family. Her favorite thing about teaching is watching the excitement on the kids’ faces when something “clicks”! She enjoys listening to them read after they realize that they actually read. Her favorite scripture is 1 Corinthians 13:4, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.”

 

 

 

 

 

Pat Clifford – Aide

Pat is married to Jake and has 3 children and 11 grandchildren. She has been an aide since 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Louisiana College. She retired after working for 33 years for the State of Louisiana. Pat enjoys doing puzzles, cross-stitching, crafting, and playing board games with her grandkids. She was born and raised in Jennings and her parents attended and served at FBCJ. She has also been a member, since the age of 7, after accepting Jesus and being baptized. Pat attended the very first Kindergarten at FBCJ. Pat loves craft-time in the classroom and her favorite scripture is: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In All your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

 

 

 

PreK 3

Kendra Laidlaw – Teacher

Kendra is married to Max and they have 2 sons (Christopher and Devin) and 1 daughter (Alexandria). She has 1 granddaughter. She is an active member of FBCJ. Kendra attended La. Tech and Jeff. Davis Vo-Tech and has a secretarial degree. Her hobbies are: traveling, hiking, going to estate and garage sales, collecting antiques, oil painting, knitting, crocheting and flower gardening. Kendra has been teaching for 30 years! She loves watching the kids learn and grow throughout the year. Her favorite verse is: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5

 

 

 

 

Jolaine McCluer – Teacher

Jolaine and her husband, Robert, have been married for 28 years. They have 3 children: Jacob, Ali and Mia. This is Jolaine’s 5th year teaching PreK 4, but has been an aide since 2007. She enjoys spending time with her family and running. She runs various races and distances each year. She attends Our Savior’s Church. Jolaine’s favorite thing about teaching is seeing the excitement  in a child when they learn something new. Her favorite scripture is: “But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew‬ ‭19:26‬ ‭

 

 

 

Ann Robison – Aide

Ann is a lifelong resident of Jennings and a graduate of Jennings High School.  Ann has been married to Roy Robison for 45 years and together they have 2 adult children (Cason and Ashley) and 4 grandchildren.  Ann has been a member of First Baptist Church of Jennings for 32 years.  Ann has been a pre-k teacher’s aide for 12 years.  Prior to that, she was the church secretary for First Baptist for 14 years.

A favorite verse is Ephesians 1:13:  And in Him having heard and believed the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.

 

 

 

 

Lana Beth Thibodeaux – Aide

Lana Beth is a graduate of Jennings High School. She has three-year old twins and loves them more than words can say. She loves being a mom and doing everything as a family. They enjoy swimming, baking, crafting and watching movies together.

Lana’s favorite scripture is Psalms 9:1-2: I will give thanks to you, LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you’ i will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.

 

 

 

 

 

Photography by Aimee Benoit

Wednesday Groups

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On Wednesday Evenings, during the school year, there are small groups for all kids! They meet from 6-7 pm. If your child will be eating dinner, please drop them off at the front of the Family Life Center where he/she will check in. Pick up is at the horseshoe on Curtis Street.

Mission Friends is for girls and boys in PreK 4 and Kindergarten. They meet in the Education Building. In Mission Friends, preschoolers develop a missions heart as they move from a focus on themselves to a focus on others. Preschoolers grow toward God as they become aware that God wants everyone to know of His love.

Children In Action is for girls and boys in 1st – 3rd grade. They meet in the Education Building. Children in Action (CA) is a coed group designed for boys and girls to come to faith in Christ as Savior while making missions an important part of their daily lives. They learn what it means to live a missional lifestyle while they participate in Bible studies, missions projects and engaging activities. They also have a lot of fun as they “travel” to various places around the world when they learn about and pray for the work of missionaries.

Girls In Action is a missions discipleship group for girls in grades 4–6. They meet in the Education Building. The GA Motto is “Go Forward!” and Girls in Action do just that—they grow closer to God as they discover their part in His plan and practice what they learn through hands-on missions opportunities. GA leads girls to a lifelong commitment to Christ, His mission, and His church.

Royal Ambassadors is a missions discipleship group for boys in grades 4–6. They meet in the RA room next to The Refuge. RA provides an opportunity for boys to grow spiritually, physically, mentally, and relationally with others through missions involvement and character development.

 

If you’re new, please sign up HERE!

Sunday School

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Connect Groups meet on Sunday mornings at 9:00. With the exception of 2 and 3 year olds, whom meet in the nursery area, all kids meet in the Education Building. Small groups vary by age and gender. Someone will be there to welcome you and lead the kids into the correct room.

The current curriculum is The Gospel Project. The Gospel Project is all about the gospel because the gospel is all about Jesus.

It’s more than a story—it’s good news!

The Gospel Project is a weekly Bible study that helps kids dive deep into the big story of the Bible—God’s plan to rescue His people through His Son, Jesus Christ

But he said to them, ‘It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose. Luke 4:43

Children’s Church

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Children’s Church is for all kids in grades PreK 4 – 4th Grade. They start off in “big church” on Sunday Mornings. The kids are dismissed at the beginning of the service and they will head to the  youth room.

They will learn biblical truths and real life lessons that they can apply to their lives. Our FBC kids Leadership Team use scripture, short videos, worship music and other fun activities to engage with them and teach them about Jesus.

They can be picked up in the gym after it is over.

Kidz Konnection

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Kidz Konnection, also referred to as KK, meets on Sunday evenings from 5 – 6:30 in the Education Building. Kids are separated into two classes by grade, PreK 4 – Kindergarten are in one group and 1st – 6th Graders are in another. They eat a light supper at the end of class.

Our aim in KK is to teach kids how to connect to God through personal worship. To learn how God has created them individually and provided everything they need for life in His Holy Word encourages them to know God and trust Him. We have a variety of teaching methods – music, drama, Bible stories, special activities, fellowship. All things point to God’s love for us!

Nursery

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Our nursery can be found on the south side of the campus. It is open during our morning and evening worship services and on Wednesday evenings. Children, from birth – age 3 are welcome to attend. Someone will greet you as you walk in and guide you to sign in your child. Please inform them of any allergies or feeding times for your baby.

MDO Information

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Our Program:

The goal of Mother’s Day Out is to provide a Christian based, safe and happy learning environment for children from the age of 1 through the age of 4. While we do introduce academic skills, our focus is more on intrapersonal skills.  We give moms a much-needed break and children the joy of early friendships.

Date and Time:

We are open on Tuesday and Thursday from 8am until 2pm from September through May.  We also offer a summer program during the months of June, July and August on Tuesday and Thursday from 9am until 2pm.  We follow the Jeff Davis Parish School closure schedule for holidays and weather closures.  We also have a couple of closures throughout the year, each will be announced with at least one-month notice.

What you need to bring:

  1. A bag which contains a full change of clothing and diapers if needed. This bag will go home with your child each day.  The bag should be large enough to easily hold a standard size folder that will contain your child’s artwork and teacher communication forms.
  2. A lunch in a lunch box. We encourage you to send things that your child likes and can feed him/herself. Lunch should include a drink in a no spill cup as well as any utensils needed. Please send lunch with any needed cool packs or with hot food in a thermos.  We have limited refrigerator space and we do not heat food due to time limitations at mealtimes.
  3. A nap mat. The mat should roll or fold neatly, and a small travel size pillow and a blanket may be included.  This will be kept at school and sent home periodically to be washed.

Helpful Hints:

  1. Closed toe shoes, like sneakers, are best.  Our playground has mulch and it is uncomfortable when it gets into sandals.
  2. Dress your child for comfort in play clothes, we play hard and we make messes!
  3. LABEL EVERYTHING!!!
  4. We discourage toys being brought from home.  Sharing is a hard skill for young children to learn, therefore, we like for all the toys at MDO to belong to everyone.