Joanne Bourgeois

Joanne traces her roots in the Brusly community to 1785 when her mother’s Acadian ancestors received a Spanish Land Grant to settle here. Growing up in Baton Rouge, she graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy, and then attended LSU, graduating in 1963 with a degree in Elementary Education and obtaining a Master’s degree in 1973. She began teaching 6th grade at Brusly High School in 1963 and remained in the public school system, at the same school, as an educator, until retiring in February, 2000. Prior to being elected to the Brusly Town Council in 2000, her public service included serving on the WBR Parish Bicentennial Commission, the WBR Parish Library Board of Control from 1976 until present,WBR Parish Museum Board from 2000-2006, and the Board of Keep WBR Beautiful from 2008 through present.

Honors through the years include being named Pride of West Baton Rouge in 2011, 2004 Public Official of the Year by the Louisiana Association of Museums, and being listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers.
In 2001, she was a contributing writer to Brusly 1901-2001: A Place to Call Home and co-authored Brusly Landmarks in 2008. She also co-chaired the formation of the Town of Brusly Landmark and Heritage Commission.
Additionally, she was named Teacher of the Year three times during her career as an educator.

She lives on Gleason Street and is the mother of four sons and the grandmother of three grandchildren.