Vermilion Catholic Assistant Principal Christine Dubois retires

Punctuality, preparedness, and professionalism are attributes essential for success in any career. The field of education also requires patience, empathy, adaptability, a passion for learning and leadership, fortitude, integrity, and a love of people.
VC Assistant Principal Christine Dubois embodies those admirable qualities and more. She has influenced thousands of students, faculty, and parents.
In May of 2025, Dubois will retire after a 49-year career in Education. For the last 12 years, she has served as an assistant principal at Vermilion Catholic, a legacy of Mount Carmel, in Abbeville.
"I have worked with a wide variety of students from Pre-K through 12th grade, from low income to high income, from gifted to low performing students," Dubois said. "They have all touched me in different ways, and they have made me a better person."
Dubois earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (1975). She is certified to teach first through eighth grades. Her Special Education certifications are in Mild / Moderate, Severe / Profound, and Learning Disabled.
In addition, Dubois earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from USL (1982). She was certified as a K-12 Principal, Special School Principal, and Parish Supervisor of Instruction.
"My first job was as a Special Education teacher at the Special Education Center in Vermilion Parish, teaching the Primary students in the Moderate / Severe class for seven years."
Next, Dubois assumed an administrative role.
"I became Principal of the Special Education Center for seven years," she said. "I was transferred to Eaton Park Elementary in Abbeville as Principal." She served there as an administrator for ten years.
"I then moved to Seventh Ward Elementary for nine years as principal," she said. "I retired from public schools with thirty-three years."
Next, Dubois worked part-time at Cathedral Carmel school in Lafayette for four years, teaching Enrichment to students in second through fourth grades. Then she moved back to Vermilion Catholic and taught part-time for one year while working part-time at Cathedral Carmel, teaching Study Skills.
"I then became the Assistant Principal when the position opened at Vermilion Catholic," Dubois said.
At VC she served as Assistant Principal for 12 years.
Mike Guilbeaux, VC principal from 2011 to 2022, hired Dubois.
"Christine did a great job managing students, teachers, and parents. She was a hard worker who cared," Guilbeaux said. "She was compassionate and understanding. She gave of herself and that is why she had a successful career."
The current VC principal, Dr. Stella Arabie of New Iberia, also has high praise for this remarkable educator.
"During my time with Mrs. Christine Dubois, I have come to know and respect her as the consummate professional educator and a Catholic servant leader," Dr. Arabie said. "Vermilion Catholic, a legacy of Mount Carmel, has certainly been blessed that she chose to return to her alma mater for her final years before retirement."
Looking forward, the new VC Assistant Principal for the 2025-2026 school year will be Amanda Trahan, the current VC Director of Academic Affairs. She has 15 years of experience in Education.
Trahan is a 2005 VC graduate. She earned a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, formerly USL (2010).
She is certified in Elementary Education and Middle School Math. Trahan further earned a Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction from American College of Education, Indiana (2012).
"It has been an honor to work closely with Ms. Christine and to have her as a mentor over the past few years," Trahan said. "While I know I cannot replace the depth of her knowledge about our school and community, I am grateful for the opportunity to continue her legacy. I look forward to being a familiar face for our families and helping to carry our traditions into the future."
Regarding the new assistant principal, Christine Dubois said, "I have been fortunate to work with my replacement during the second half of this school year. We have been able to communicate collaboratively on what is best for our school."
Dubois' hope for the future of VC is that it will continue to be a vibrant school that provides a Catholic education for those families who want their children to learn and grow in a faith-filled environment.
Through nearly half a century of the many changes and challenges in Education, Dubois noted that she has relied on her Faith to help sustain her.
"My Catholic faith has definitely enabled me to remain in Education for forty-nine years," she said. "I feel I have always been guided in each step of my journey by divine interventions."
Regarding the hardest part of being a school administrator, Dubois said, "The thing I have enjoyed the least is seeing how many, not all, students do not take responsibility for their actions."
Lauryn Lee, the VC assistant principal on the Lower Campus, remarked, "Ms. Christine was a true inspiration to all of us. Her deep love for her Catholic faith and Vermilion Catholic was beautiful to witness. She will be deeply missed."
Dr. Arabie agrees with that sentiment, saying, "Ms. Christine Dubois embodies the core values of our school community and has worked to form and preserve the culture and traditions that make our school a special place to learn and grow in Vermilion Parish. Her family has demonstrated devotion that spans five generations and will remain strong because she has worked tirelessly to ensure that the roots of every child and adult have been grown deeply by her steady and guiding presence over her many years. The entire Vermilion Catholic family is grateful for her service leadership and she will be missed!"
Christine Dubois and her husband, Gregory, will celebrate their 49 years of marriage in August. They have four adult children: Jeremy Dubois, Courtney Dubois Simon, Sarah Dubois LeMaire, and Grayson Dubois. They are grandparents to nine children with a tenth child expected in June.
The retiring educator offers these departing words of wisdom: "My advice would be to listen twice as much as you talk. All teachers should be good role models for their students and demonstrate the important values our students must learn."
No doubt, Christine Dubois will return to VC with her family to attend many more special occasions and athletic events. Like other administrators before her and those yet to come, she will encourage the legacy of Eagle pride and excellence to live on.
Forever positive.
Forever prayerful.
Forever powerful.
Forever present.