About The Instructors
Martha Anthony
is a former Officer at Large for the St. Charles Humane Society and
has worked with dogs at the St. Charles Parish Animal Shelter to socialize
them in order to make them more adoptable. She is currently a member of
The Humane Society of Houma-Terrebonne. Martha's love for dogs has guided
her to search for a better, easier, and more humane way to achieve harmony
with our canine companions. By studying techniques from all over the world
and using her own natural ability to communicate with dogs, she has created
the Follow The Leader Method to teach people how to communicate with their
beloved pets
Jessica Martin
received a BFA in dance from the University of Southern Mississippi. She
has performed professionally and has choreographed several original works
that have been presented at local, state, and regional levels. Jessica has
taught several styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, modern, and tap
for all ages. She has been a member of the Lafourche Middle Eastern Dance
Troupe for three years. This will be her third semester teaching at Nicholls.
Billy J. Bellanger, Jr.
is from Matthews, Louisiana. He earned his B. A. in Art from Nicholls State
University in December of 2001 and has studied intensively in the areas
of Ceramics and Photography. Billy has gained experience while teaching
art camps this past summer and is currently pursuing teacher certification
in art and business here at Nicholls.
Deborah Burns
is President and owner of Deborah's Touch, Inc., a national medical
transcription service. Deborah's touch provides medical transcription to
medical facilities and has been in business for 20 years. The staff includes
on-site office and clerical, as well as 45 home-based medical transcriptionists.
Deborah also teaches business courses on a monthly basis for colleges and
adult learning programs.
Julio Contreras
is a native of El Salvador. He has served as a Spanish translator for
a hospital and is currently teaching Spanish and French at Terrebonne High
School.
Lona Bernard
by profession has been a dental hygienist for 19 years. All through college
until now has taught aerobics. Started Yoga a few years ago and immediately
fell in love with the art. She received her certifications from the Deep
South Alliance for Fitness Professionals in Pilates and Yoga. She is married
and has 2 children.
Brett Bourg
graduated from Louisiana State University in 1984. The following year
he bought his first IBM PC, and he has been working with and teaching about
computers ever since. He has developed and taught a wide variety of computer
classes professionally for several companies. Brett uses what he teaches
and he teaches what he uses. He strives to make students comfortable with
computers and software. His patience is stellar and his humor is legendary.
Angela L. Denham
is a native of Baton Rouge and a graduate of LSU, where she received her
degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and
finance. Angela is a financial advisor and is Vice-President of the registered
investment advisory firm Harger and Company, located in Baton Rouge, which
she joined in 1986.
Angela Hammerli
has been teaching dance at NSU for 26 years. She has coached numerous
groups and has choreographed numerous musicals for professional, NSU, and
community theatre. Angela has made presentations in dance at local, state,
regional, and national conventions and has been awarded several grants to
bring performing arts to the community. Having taught couples dancing for
28 years, she loves sharing with people, young and old, the dancing that
has brought her such great happiness.
Alice Himel
is a certified teacher of the deaf in the Lafourche Parish School System.
She has been a teacher of the deafd since 1980. She completed her certification
requirements as an instructor of Cued Speech in 2002 from the National Cued
Speech Association.
Jana Stewart Hubbell
is a 2005 graduate of NSU and native of Thibodaux. She is a core member
of Mehlika's Mirage, a tribal infusion dance troupe based in the Houma-Thibodaux
area. A middle eastern dancer for the past four years, Jana has performed
numerous times for professional and community engagements in South Louisiana.
Nolan Naquin
has over 12 years experience as a computer professional since earning his
degree in Computer Science with an Accounting minor. He is certified by
Microsoft as a Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and has completed specialized
training in Cisco and Novell systems. His experience includes a stint supporting
Academic Computing at Nicholls as well as time in industry and private practice.
Nolan most enjoys teaching how to harness technology to better support small
to medium businesses.
Cashanta R. Paige
is a graduate of Thibodaux High School who successfully passed Floriculture
1 and Floriculture 2 under Tammy Weathers. She has gone on to pursue a career
in the Floral Industry as a Licensed Designer at the Moss Picker for eight
years under Dorthy Meyer, also head designer at Allure Florist and Gifts
for five years. She is the owner Silks by Shanta, not just flowers - creation
that gets noticed. She is currently the head designer at Angela'a Antiques,
Jewelry and Florals. Located in Raceland and Thibodaux, La.
Dr. Frances Robichaux
has a PhD in Counselor Education, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and
Supervisor, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and a Registed Nurse.
She currently works with both adults and children as a full-time mental
health counselor. Dr. Robichaux had over 30 years experience teaching and
helping others understand self-esteem issues. She combines her knowledge
and understanding of human behavior to help her students bring about effective
change and improve their lives. Helping people feel better about themselves
is her passion.
John E. Sirois
JD, MBA, CFPTM, CIMA, CIMC, is a Certified Financial Planner and Certified
Investment Management Consultant with Raymond James Financial Services,
Inc., Member NASD/SIPC. His offices are located in Houma and Metairie, Louisiana.
John's practice specializes in retirement planning, estate planning and
investment management. John is also an attorney whose practice primarily
handles estate planning, retirement planning, successions, and Medicaid
and long-term care planning.
John has spoken to numerous groups and has taught courses at Nicholls State
University covering investments, retirement planning, TRSL, LASERS and DROP
planning, IRA distributions, long term care/Medicaid planning, and estate
planning. He has appeared as a guest speaker at Money Watch Live and teaches
continuing education courses for attorneys, financial planners, CPAs and
insurance agents. In addition, John literally wrote the book on Louisiana
Retirement Planning. He is the author of The Louisiana Retirement Book which
is a must-read book for Louisiana residents who are retired or who are within
5 years of retirement. The book covers various retirement and estate planning
issues and concepts including Louisiana specific planning issues, and pitfalls
to avoid.
Neil Thibodaux "Nino"
is a native of Franklin, LA and resident of Houma, LA. Neil has a great
love for Italy, its unique culture, and its people and enjoys not only teaching
the language, but also sharing his life's experiences - he lived there for
13 years. His wit and humor in telling stories from his life in Italy are
sure to make the class interesting and earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree
in Theology/Psychology from the Trinity Baptist College in Jacksonville,
Florida and went on to earn his Doctorate in Theology/Psychology from Victory
Baptist College in North Agusta, South Carolina. He earned his Associate's
Degree in the Italian language from Perugia University in Cantania, Italy.
He has taught at the university level for several years. He currently teaches
the Italian language at Remington College in Lafayette, Nicholls State University
in Thibodaux, and at private homes from Lafayette to New Orleans.
William G. Yates
received his degree from LSU Law School in 1966. He served with the
USAF as a Special Agent, OSI, after which he began his private law practice
in Houma, including eleven years as Assistant District Attorney. His practice
includes Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Domestic Relations, and Successions.
He has taught the Notarial Exam Review Course many times for Nicholls over
the past few years.
Dr. Marie Zannis
is retired from the Department of Health and Physical Education at Nicholls
State University. Dr. Zannis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical
Education and Recreation, a Master’s Degree in Recreation, and a Doctorate
in Health Education. In addition to fitness classes for adults, she has
taught and supervised children’s swimming and water sports programs
in several states and Canada and is currently as American Red Cross Water
Safety Instructor Trainer.