Erath High School

Imagine a child strolling into a 1st-grade classroom and then sixty-one years later, you can still see that person walking the halls of that same school as an active participant. It is a feat not many (if any) can claim. Though roles shifted from student to teacher through the years, In Erath, Nellie Broussard is that rare example.

As a 1st grader many years ago, she began her journey at Erath High, which housed grades 1-12 at that time. (PreK and Kindergarten didn’t exist in public schools until much later.)

Before 1972, Erath High housed all twelve grades. Unlike Erath students today, she attended 1st through 12th grade, at only one school. She graduated from there in 1971.

After leaving her alma mater, she attended USL (now UL) and graduated in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and Math Education. In 1976, she earned her Masters in Education at USL. She also earned certification in the supervision of student teachers. She had several through the years.

Following her 1974 college graduation, her teaching career began right back where she started, at Erath High School.

Broussard taught for thirty-three years, then retired in 2007.

However, she returned the following year. Upon returning to EHS in 2008, she remained for eleven additional years. By 2019, she retired a second time, with forty-four years of teaching experience. However, she didn't stop there, this two-time retiree then began substituting at Erath High.

Through more than four decades, this 1994-1995 - Erath High Teacher of the Year taught Home Economics (Home Ec I, II, III, IV), Parenthood Education, Foods and Nutrition, Consumer Education, Child Development, ACT prep, Chemistry, and several Maths (Algebra I and II, general math, financial math),

It can be said that EHS claimed much of her existence, whether it was as a student, teacher, or substitute.

All in all, that little first-grade girl has grown up and sixty-one years later, she is still walking the halls of EHS as an active part of the school. Approximately 6000 students have entered her classroom during her tenure. She said she “taught many of my students’ parents and grandparents!”

With that rare accomplishment, Erath High Principal Dr. Belisa Smith announced that Erath native Nellie Broussard was chosen as the school’s 2024 Homecoming Grand Marshal.

She is a native of Erath and a mother to three children. Jason Broussard (spouse Laurie), Amy Broussard Leblanc (spouse Lance), Seth Broussard (spouse Megan). She has five grandchildren Lawson Broussard, Locke Leblanc, Janson Broussard, Mailey Broussard, and Maverick Broussard. Her parents are the late Perfay and Lillian Broussard. She has two siblings, Ann Broussard Clostio, and the late Howard Broussard.