LSU Early Childhood Educator Named Finalist for Prestigious Award
March 25, 2025
BATON ROUGE, LA - The LSU Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool proudly announces that Demika Gilmore has been selected as one of the five finalists for the Early Childhood Educator of the Year award. This prestigious recognition highlights her dedication, passion, and exceptional contributions to early childhood education.
Gilmore received a bachelor's degree in Family and Consumer Science with a concentration
in Child Development from Southern University and has worked with young children since
2010. Originally from Baton Rouge, she is a devoted mother to a daughter and a son.
Throughout her career, Ms. Gilmore has remained committed to creating a warm, positive,
safe, and loving environment for her students, one that fosters hands-on learning
and promotes early development.
“It is a blessing to be named a finalist for this award. Playing a role in my students’ formative years brings me joy,” said Gilmore. “The team at the Preschool is truly a winning team,” said Kamille Watson, MEd, Director of the LSU Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool. “Ms. Gilmore's accomplishment highlights how we are changemakers in early childhood education.
Gilmore’s teaching philosophy centers on the belief that early childhood education is the foundation for lifelong learning. Her hands-on, child-centered approach ensures that each child feels valued, engaged, and empowered to explore the world around them. Most recently, she and teaching assistant Katie Slaughter received a perfect score - 7.0 - on their Picard CLASS observation.
The LSU Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool continues to be at the forefront of early childhood education, shaping the next generation of learners with innovative teaching strategies and a commitment to excellence.
About the LSU Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool
The Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool (ECELP) is a Reggio Emilia - inspired research facility within LSU Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education and is aligned with the university’s undergraduate and graduate programs in Early Childhood Education. The ECELP is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, which is the leading early childhood professional organization in the nation. The ECELP serves as a laboratory for the generation of cutting-edge research in the areas of child development and education. It also serves as a training site for undergraduate and graduate students as a model demonstration site within the community. Through its support of research and teaching, the ECELP generates and disseminates knowledge about best practices in early childhood education to support children’s development and learning. Visit the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool website.
About the College of Human Sciences & Education
The College of Human Sciences & Education (CHSE) is a nationally accredited division of Louisiana State University. The college is comprised of the School of Education, the School of Information Studies, the School of Kinesiology, the School of Leadership & Human Resource Development, and the School of Social Work. CHSE has two model demonstration schools, the Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool, enrolling birth to age four and the University Laboratory School enrolling Kindergarten through grade 12. The college also has four centers and institutes: the Early Childhood Education Institute, the Healthy Aging Research Center, the Leadership Development Institute, and Social Research & Evaluation Center. The college is committed to achieving the highest standards in teaching, research, and service and aims to improve quality of life across the lifespan. Visit the College of Human Sciences & Education website.