LAFAYETTE, LA (April 11, 2025) – The Lafayette Parish School System is proud to announce the appointment of Kim Thibodeaux as the district’s new Art, Music, and Media Center Specialist. Thibodeaux will succeed Paget Guidry, who is retiring after years of dedicated service in the role.
With over 32 years of experience in education, Kim Thibodeaux brings a wealth of knowledge, a passion for the arts, and a deep commitment to student success. Her career began in private education, including 24 years at St. Thomas More Catholic High School, where she cultivated high standards, discipline, and ethical leadership as an art teacher. In 2017, she joined Lafayette Parish School System as the founding art teacher at Southside High School, where she built the program from the ground up.
As a product of public education, Thibodeaux embraced the opportunity to return to a diverse and collaborative learning environment. During her time at Southside, she served as a teacher, instructional leader, and most recently, assistant principal. In every role, she has championed creativity as a driver of confidence, academic growth, and resilience, particularly for students facing challenges.
In her new role, Thibodeaux will support and elevate the work of arts and music educators across the district, advocate for creative learning experiences, and ensure equitable access to high-quality arts education for all students.
“Mrs. Thibodeaux’s passion for the arts and unwavering belief in their power to unlock student potential makes her an ideal fit for this role,” said Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. “Her leadership and experience will continue to strengthen our district’s commitment to creativity, innovation, and student expression.”
Thibodeaux is excited to begin this new chapter and looks forward to working alongside the district’s talented educators to further the mission of arts education throughout LPSS.
