Alumna returns to her roots as Northlake teacher and parent

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Brittany and Bryan Picou attend a family vacation to Disney with their new daughter.

Abbi Vega, Staff Reporter

Mrs. Brittany Picou, 4th grade teacher, and her husband, Bryan, are alumni of Northlake Christian’s 2010 graduating class. Picou not only grew up as a Northlake Wolverine, but did so with her mother and sisters.

Picou and her sister Ashley, who teaches high school science, attended Northlake for most of their elementary years and from 7th-12th grade. Rebekah, the littlest Alker, is currently attending Northlake as a 4th grader. Her mom, Ms. Sherri Alker, is also currently teaching Anatomy, Biology II DE, and Psychology/Sociology. Picou even got the privilege of being in many of her mother’s classes and the classes with her future husband.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Southeastern Louisiana University, Picou felt God tugging her to teach at Airline Park Academy on the Southshore, and she did just that.

Eventually, though, she came back to her roots of Northlake, but this time as a teacher. Picou and her husband prayed about it and everything fell into place. Even though her entire family is specialized in science and she loves science, God called her to something else. Picou became the 4th grade teacher and got to work alongside her best friend, Amy Shermie.

“I am so thankful for my time here at NCS, whether that was being a student or an employee,” said Picou.

As a student at Northlake, she got to be in multiple classes with her boyfriend she did not know she was going to marry in the future.

Picou and her husband met at NCS and are now both alumni of the Class of 2010. They met sophomore year of highschool after he moved over here from being displaced during Katrina.

“I didn’t know much about him, except that he was an amazing baseball player and was one of the ‘new kids.’ He asked me to our sophomore prom and the rest is history. We got married in May of 2015 and love the fact we get to say we are high school sweethearts,” said Picou.

The two have seen God work in their lives in many ways.

Picou, when asked about how God had worked in her journey, described the faithfulness God has shown in her life.

“I just think of the word faithful. He was faithful to my mom’s prayers about having her children follow and love Jesus. He was faithful to answer me in my questions about what I should be doing with my life. He was faithful to my prayers about wanting to marry a loving, Christian man. He was faithful when I found out that I was expecting a healthy baby girl. He was faithful when I prayed for healing over my little sister, Rebekah, who was really sick 2 years ago. He is faithful even in times where I don’t immediately turn to Him,” said Picou.

Being an employee at Northlake is very refreshing for Picou because she is constantly surrounded by faithful people who love and talk about Jesus. Working at Northlake allows her to express her faith in the classroom, which she recognized as a nice change from her previous job.

“I taught at a public school before teaching here and it is such a blessing being able to freely pray and talk about Christ with my students and coworkers,” said Picou.

Raising their children in a Christian environment is a priority for the Picou’s. Recently, Picou and her husband, Bryan, had their first child.

“Adjusting to motherhood has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Esther is so much fun. Her smile is so infectious,” said Picou. “She has brought my family so much joy. She honestly is a pretty easy baby and loves being in the ELC at NCS. I (and my mom) love the fact that we are able to go and visit and check in on her throughout the day.”

The Alker/Picou family are a Northlake family and continue to impact the school as students, parents, and teachers.