The East Baton Rouge Parish School System has what few school districts in the country have -- an Emmy Award-winning teacher.  Mike Esneault, a Gifted and Talented music teacher who has classes at McKinley High School, Baton Rouge Magnet High School and Glasgow Middle School, recently received a 2008 Emmy Award for an original music score. He wrote the music for the television documentary "Atchafalaya Houseboat." Louisiana Public Broadcasting submitted the musical score to the Emmy Awards program.

When he's not teaching, Esneault writes original music for commercials, professional clients and movies. He runs the Clear Creek Sound Studio and, as a composer, arranger and producer, Esneault has worked for such films as Angelina Jolie's "Original Sin." His arrangements have been performed by several orchestras and at Carnegie Hall. He also performs with several local bands and has won the Henry Mancini Fellowship for original composition and the Louisiana Division of Arts Fellowship Award.

“I found out about the actual nomination while teaching at Baton Rouge High School,” Esneault said. “The producer of the show (documentary), Christina Melton, called the school to notify me. I was thrilled to receive the award. I wasn't able to attend the ceremony, so they shipped the statuette to me. The overall aftermath has been very positive professionally both as a composer and as a teacher. My Talented Music students have gained a greater interest in music composition and music technology as a result.”