Devoted & Acclaimed New Orleans Teacher, Terrilynn Monette Disappears Without a Trace (932 hits)
(CNN) -- Terrilynn Monette had no problem uprooting her life to help children. When the California native learned of the "teachNOLA" program, which sends educators to New Orleans to teach in impoverished areas, she packed her bags and headed to Louisiana. "I always wanted to be a teacher, and what better place to teach than New Orleans, where passionate teachers are needed most?" she said in a 2011 video.
Her dedication and excellence in the classroom earned her a "Teacher of the Year" nomination in her district. But after a night celebrating the accolade with friends, the 26-year-old vanished. That was almost two weeks ago. With each passing day, her family's anxiety compounds
But after a night celebrating the accolade with friends, the 26-year-old vanished.
A star teacher
In her first year of teaching second grade at Woodland West Elementary School, Monette turned one of the lowest-performing classes into one of the highest achieving.
"She is wonderful, she is vibrant. She is determined. She holds her students to the highest of expectations," Principal Amy Hoyle said. "She is very loving with her students. They are a family."
Enclade said she and her daughter usually speak every day, and it's extremely uncharacteristic for Monette to drop out of sight.
Friends and family have erected a billboard in downtown New Orleans seeking help in finding Monette, but to no avail. They also created a Facebook page.
How you can help: Terrilynn Monette is described as an African-American female, approximately 5'8" tall, weighing 180 pounds and having a light complexion with long brown hair. She was last seen driving a 2012 black two-door Honda Accord with Louisiana license plate WUN494. If you have any information, please contact the New Orleans Police Department at (504) 821-2222 or Texas EquuSearch at (281) 309-9500.
