UNIVERSITY LABORATORY SCHOOL - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director of Athletics / University High School
Christa Leon officially joined University Laboratory School in July 2019 with more than 15 years experience as a principal. Most recently, she served as the founding principal of Mayfair Laboratory School, a kindergarten through 8th grade magnet program that has a longstanding partnership with ULS.
Under her leadership, Mayfair grew quickly from a kindergarten through third grade school to a thriving kindergarten through eighth grade program in just six years, while simultaneously earning the National Magnet School of Distinction Award and the National 2017 Green Ribbon School. Mrs. Leon has also previously served as principal of Twin Oaks Elementary School and assistant principal of Northeast Elementary.
She holds a bachelor of science degree in elementary education from Louisiana State University and a masters degree in education from Southeastern Louisiana University.
Mr. Rusciano received a bachelor of arts degree in Business Education and a master's degree in Education Administration and Supervision from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA. He then attended Louisiana State University to fulfill requirements for certification in Mathematics and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Mathematics. Before coming to the Laboratory School, he was the assistant principal of instruction at Bishop Sullivan High School (now known as St. Michael's High School). At University Laboratory School, Mr. Rusciano has taught math in grades 6 - 12 and presently serves as the Middle School Principal.
Mr. George has more than 21 years of experience in education, including Chief Executive Officer of New Beginnings Charter Management Organization, Superintendent of St. John the Baptist Public School System, Supervisor of Secondary Curriculum for Lafourche Parish and Deputy Network Leader with the Louisiana Department of Education, principal, assistant principal and teacher. He most recently served as the Chief School Accountability Officer for New Orleans Public Schools.
While serving in these positions, George also held appointments to several statewide committees, including the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education Superintendents' Advisory Council and the Louisiana Department of Education's Commission on Assessment and Review and Use in Public Schools (Chair), Advisory Council of Student Behavior and Discipline and the Alternative Education Study Group.
He was nationally recognized as the 2016 Save the Music Foundation Superintendent of the Year. Awarded to only one superintendent or school CEO each year, the honor recognizes outstanding commitment to music education in his or her school district.
After completion of a fellowship with the Southern Education Foundation's Racial Equity Leadership Network, George has presented at national conferences on topics such as equitable outcomes for all students and building systems to support teaching and learning.
On a full football scholarship, Mr. George attended Nicholls State University where earned two Bachelor degrees and a Master's degree and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi honor society. He is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Executive Leadership from University of Holy Cross in New Orleans.
Mr. George and his wife, Schwanda, have been married for 23 years and have three children - a son, Jalon, who is a Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force, a daughter, Taylor, who is a graduate student at LSU and Kassidy, who is a junior in high school.
Matt Picou received his bachelor of arts degree in Kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, LA, in 1993. He taught and coached in Livingston Parish for 10 years. In 2004, Mr. Picou moved to University Laboratory School to teach physical education. He earned his master's degree in Educational Leadership in 2006. While at University Laboratory School, Mr. Picou has served as an instructor, basketball coach, golf coach and associate athletic director. Mr. Picou has also served as the Child Welfare and Attendance officer. Currently, he is the University Laboratory School's Dean of Students
Job Titles:
- Operations Coordinator / University High School