MEET YOUR ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHERS
Lorna Bankston Ott
Director of Livingston Virtual
Lorna grew up in Watson and is very proud of her Livingston Parish roots. She is married and has two sons and four grandchildren. She loves spending time with her family, especially playing with her grandchildren. She loves cooking, reading, and traveling. She attended all 12 years of school at Live Oak High School. She graduated from LSU in Secondary Education and was hired to teach English and Speech at Live Oak High School. She was in the classroom for 9 years before she moved to the Guidance Office where she remained until retiring in 2017 to care for her husband and parents. She became a return to work retiree, because of the opportunity to coordinate digital resources for the parish’s curriculum department. She is excited about Livingston Virtual, the parish’s first full-time, online learning program. She has a deep love for Livingston Parish and its school system. She is passionate about education and providing students with every academic option available to them that will enhance their futures in this ever-changing global society.
Master of Education in Guidance and Counseling plus 30 hours in Educational Leadership
Education
Certification
English
Social Studies
Speech
Guidance
Years Teaching Experience
36 years
Erik Peterson
Assistant Director
Bachelor of Science in Education
Education
Karen J. Deel
Teacher
Karen has been married for 28 years and has two children, ages 25 and 26. She graduated from Denham Springs High School and had the privilege of living in Alaska, Mississippi, Virginia, and Maine working in the private sector as a Lab Technician before moving back to Louisiana. She attended LSU for two years and then transferred and graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has taught 6th-8th grade ELA for 12 years in Livingston Parish at Southside Junior High and North Corbin Junior High. She enjoys camping, traveling, fishing, and crabbing. She also enjoys playing the piano and learning about all the newest and greatest technological innovations! She is excited to be part of Livingston Virtual and is looking forward to teaching her students.
Certification
English
Years Teaching Experience
12 Years
Merileen R. Dupepé
Teacher
Merileen was raised in Holden and received her high school diploma from Holden High School. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University for her undergraduate and graduate studies. She worked as an accountant for 12 years before becoming a teacher. She has taught Math and Business classes throughout her 18 year career at Ponchatoula High, Denham Springs High, and Holden School. She has been married for 27 years and has one son. She enjoys camping, riding horses, and spending quality time with family. She is looking forward to teaching virtually!
Masters in Business Administration
Teaching Certification
Education
Certification
Mathematics
Business Education
Years Teaching Experience
18 Years
Danielle Millitello
Teacher
Danielle is from Watson and graduated from Live Oak High School. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University for undergraduate studies. She worked as a substitute during and after college and taught for 2 years at Denham Springs High School before moving to Livingston Virtual. She loves to travel and read and can often be found playing bass at Live Oak Church on Sunday mornings.
Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders
Education
Certification
Social Studies, General Science, Chemistry
Years Teaching Experience
3 Years
Ruth Joiner
Teacher
Ruthie is originally from Watson and graduated from Live Oak High School. She attended LSU for undergraduate studies and Liberty University for graduate studies. She has taught middle and high school science and Agriscience throughout her 23-year career. She has been married for 29 years and has 2 sons. She enjoys reading, camping, riding horses, and gardening.
Education
Bachelor of Science: Vocational Agriculture
Master of Education: Teaching and Learning: Leadership
Certification
Biology, General Science, Agriscience
Years Teaching Experience
Years Teaching Experience
23 Years
Katherine Price
Teacher
Katherine “Katy” Price was born in Metairie, LA and raised in Mandeville, LA. She received her high school diploma from Mandeville High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. She is highly qualified in middle school Social Studies and has taught 6th, 7th, and 8th grade for 20 years (15 years at Live Oak Middle and Junior High). She enjoys traveling to historic sites, reading historical fiction, and spending time with friends and family. She has traveled to 27 of the 50 states and four foreign countries. She has been married for 20 years, has two sons, and a dog.
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Elementary Education
Certification
Elementary/ Social Studies Grades 1-8
Years Teaching Experience
20 Years
Education
Master of Arts in general psychology, Bachelor of Science in psychology and history