Some of the best students and teachers in Louisiana are right here in Gueydan, and we think they deserve some recognition, so this is our chance to get to know them a little better. This is our GHS Staff Spotlight on Mrs. Rena Bertrand.
What is your name?
Rena Bertrand
What do your students call you?
Mrs. Bertrand
How long have you been teaching? How long have you been at Gueydan High?
19 years, 11 years at Gueydan
What was your favorite subject when you were in school?
Agriculture classes and Band
What do you love most about being a Gueydan Bear?
What I love the most about being a Gueydan Bear is the community and school support for our school . I always say that I teach the best students in the parish. It is always a great day to be a bear.
Who or what inspired you to be a teacher?
My high school Agriculture teacher Dr. Bradley Leger and my high school involvement in my ag classes and the FFA lead me to becoming a teacher. I wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of others. I wanted to also teach life skills that will help an young person succeed in life.
What's the farthest you've ever been from home?
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
What's your favorite team(s)?
LSU Tigers, New Orleans Saints, GHS Bears, Houston Astros
Do you have any collections? If so, of what?
Yes. I have a Christmas village set that every year I have to get a new house or figure to add to. My oldest piece to my Christmas village dates back to 2001.
What's your favorite meal?
I love shrimp and okra gumbo.
What's something you learned through failure?
I learned that sometimes failure opens the door to success. It took me 5 years to get my teaching degree. Like any college student I had to overcome adversaries of peer pressure, studying, and balance of working a job to finally achieve my bachelors of science degree in Vocational Education with a concentration in Agricultural Education.
What does leadership mean to you?
Leadership means to influence a group of people to achieving a particular goal. Leadership comes in all shapes and forms. When I think of leadership it is a role that provides feedback and rigor to all parties involved.
If you could go back in time to when you were your students' age and give them advice, what would it be?
Be involved in school extracurricular activities, Decide on what you want to be and go for it never looking back. Work hard and never give up when things become difficult.
What's one thing people would never guess about you?
I was a trumpet player in the high school band. I still play the trumpet.
Do you have any favorite memories from your time in school?
My favorite memories in high school was when I was able travel with the high school band to music festivals and able to play for a McNeese football half time show. I also enjoyed traveling through FFA. I was able to attend various FFA contest. My senior year I was picked as Chapter FFA 1st vice president. I had an opportunity to travel to Kansas City, Missouri to attend National FFA Convention.
Could you tell us a little about your family?
I am the oldest sibling in my family. I have a brother and sister younger than me. My father is a retired truck driver who currently drives school buses. My mom is a home maker. My husband is a maintenance warehouse/ heavy equipment operator for Helena Chemical Inc. Mermentau. We have 4 children together. Kaitlyn who is 19 and is a sophomore at LSUE , Allen is 17 and is a senior at Midland High School, Ian who is 14 and is a freshman at Midland High School, and Grayson who is a 1st grader at Morse Elementary School. I also have two step daughters and 4 grand children.
What are a few things you couldn't live without?
I can not live without Coke Zero, my family, and God
What's your favorite quote?
“There are three ways to ultimate success: The first way is to be kind. The second way is to be kind. The third way is to be kind.” —Mister Rogers