Congratulations to
Life-Changing Teaching Award Nominee
JANICE BARDEAU
KELSO (TK-8) SCHOOL
STUDENT RECOGNITION STORY
Mrs. Bardeau deserves to be recognized for her extraordinary dedication, compassion, and commitment to her students. When she first became Liam’s teacher, she immediately demonstrated patience, understanding, and professionalism. As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, it means everything to know that your child is in the care of someone who truly understands how to support them.
During a very difficult time last year, when my son experienced an incident that left me fearful about sending him back to school, Mrs. Bardeau did not give up on him or on our family. Instead, she opened clear and consistent lines of communication. She stayed persistent, sending emails and updates so Liam could remain connected to his classmates and continue participating with the class community.
Because of her encouragement and effort, Liam was able to take part in a special class experience attending a game at SoFi Stadium to see the Los Angeles Rams in December 2025. For Liam, this was a huge step socially and emotionally. Through that opportunity he was able to interact with his peers, build confidence, and feel included. He even received two pairs of shoes and a few shirts during that experience, which meant so much to him.
Mrs. Bardeau’s dedication goes far beyond teaching academics. She creates an environment where students feel valued, supported, and included. Her compassion helped restore trust for both Liam and me during a very challenging moment, and she helped my son feel proud to be part of his classroom again.
Teachers like Mrs. Bardeau change lives. Her patience, persistence, and genuine care for her students make her truly deserving of this recognition.
Liam Pennington
To see more exceptional teacher nominees, visit The Honor Roll.
