dad next door LIVE LaMont Cole
BY AMANDA MILLER PHOTO BY CLINT BURRELL
Occupation: Superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish School System Wife: Cassie Children: Parker, 13, and Carter, 7
Hobbies: Spending time with family, bike riding, reading, and binge-watching television shows B alancing the demands of one of Louisiana’s largest school systems with the everyday joys of family life is no small task, but for LaMont Cole, Superintendent of East Baton Rouge Parish School System, both roles are rooted in the same values: faith, hard work, and respect for others. Whether he’s cheering at football games, carving out family dinners, or teaching his children the importance of kindness and perseverance, LaMont is intentional about creating meaningful moments at home while serving his community with purpose. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN EDUCATION? LAMONT: My grandmothers, both mater- nal and paternal. They both worked in early childhood, one in New York City and one in Mississippi, so I grew up around seeing them work with other children. My very first job was with my grandmother in New York City as a teacher’s aide in her early childhood classroom when I was 14. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITY? LAMONT: Get involved in the areas of the community that you identify need work. I think the best way young people can get involved in their community is by actually
getting involved, by doing things like cut- ting grass at a neighbor’s house, or going to the grocery store for elderly people. I think it’s important for young people to spend time with the elderly in their community, to just learn and understand the history of the neighborhood and the overall city. I think those are ways that young people can get involved to help build community and make things better. HOW DO YOU BALANCE YOUR BUSY CAREER WITH FAMILY TIME? LAMONT: I dedicate the majority of my family time on the weekend and in the eve- nings. I try to always make time for special events. If my children are participating in extracurricular activities, I try to schedule anything I might have going on around their extracurricular activities. We take va- cation every summer. During the year, we attend football games. My wife and I, both, have degrees from Southern University, so we attend Southern University football games. My son loves LSU football, so once a year, I take him to an LSU football game. We spend a lot of time going to playdates for the kids and making sure that we spend meaningful family time together. WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOU LIKE TO DO AS A FAMILY? LAMONT: During the week, we eat
together. I try to take my children to eat at a restaurant at least once a week, and oftentimes that’s on a weekend, whether it be for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, just to teach them good table manners. We have family conversations, where we spend time talking about what’s happening in their world. We talk about current events togeth- er. My children love to dance, and my wife is an exceptional dancer. I have rhythm, but my wife is an exceptional dancer, so some- times we’ll play music and dance together. HOW DOES YOUR FAITH AND VALUES INFLUENCE YOUR PARENTING STYLE? LAMONT: My wife and I both were reared in households where we’d have to operate from a position of respect, respect for your- self and respect for others. My children un- derstand that they have to conduct them- selves a certain way. They have to conduct themselves in a way that is respectful. My mother used to tell us: Try as best as you can, to not be out in public, doing anything that you think might embarrass us. We try to teach our kids very similarly. Faith in God and belief in the principles of the Bible have led to us making sure our kids pray, give thanks, and understand that they have been supremely blessed. WHAT LESSONS DO YOU HOPE YOUR CHILDREN LEARN FROM YOU?
20 OCTOBER 2025 | BRPARENTS.COM
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