Dr. Holly Boffy’s career passions are providing opportunities for students and amplifying educator talent. She represents southwest Louisiana as an elected member of the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), is the principal of the W.D. & Mary Baker Smith Career Center in Lafayette, and works as a consultant to advance a vision for educator talent systems through EdTalents. Previously, Dr. Boffy worked for the Council of Chief State School Officers to support states with teacher quality initiatives. In 2010, Dr. Boffy was named the State Teacher of the Year. She taught middle school for 10 years at Paul Breaux Middle School in Lafayette and Glasgow Middle in Baton Rouge. Dr. Boffy earned National Board Certification in 2006. She also served as an adjunct instructor for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and the University of West Alabama. She earned three degrees from Louisiana State University including a Bachelor of Science, Master of Education, and Education Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction. Her doctorate is from Walden University with a study on the implementation of student standards, Progression of Elementary Teachers in Implementing Language Arts Common Core State Standards. Dr. Boffy co-founded and organized Fishing for Memories, a benefit fishing tournament with her husband, Carrick Boffy, for ten years. The event raised over $300,000 to combat Alzheimer’s, awarded over $100,000 in cash prizes, and awarded over 30 lifetime fishing licenses to youth. The Boffys have a teenage son, Pierce, and a daughter, Claire, who was adopted at birth in August 2016. The Boffys enjoy spending time with family and on their farm in Vermilion Parish with their small herd of cattle.