Education alumna shines in Food Network’s holiday baking contest

College of Education Alumna Naylet LaRochelle is baking her way to the top on Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship. The show’s finale airs Dec. 14 at 9 p.m. Photo courtesy of Food Network.

We recently caught up with College of Education alumna Naylet LaRochelle. The mother of three and Miami-Dade Public Schools psychologist has been making a name for herself in baking competitions for years. Now, she’s taking on her biggest challenge yet on television.

1. You’ve gained a little bit of fame lately, haven’t you? Where have we seen you?

I’m on Food Network’s “Holiday Baking Championship.” I’m one of the eight original contestants and I’m now going into this Sunday’s challenge as one of the top 3 challengers that have remained. I’ve battled it out and, in the end, I’m ready to win the $50,000 prize.

2. By trade you’re a Miami-Dade County Public Schools psychologist. How did FIU’s College of Education help prepare you for that career?

Once I got out of high school, I went straight into FIU. I worked toward a Bachelor of Science in Special Education (’92), then I went back and earned an Education Specialist degree in School Psychology (’99).

FIU prepared me for the real world. Not just to be successful and competent in my field, but also successful socially. That’s one of the positives of FIU. It’s a real-life university. I’m very proud to be an FIU alumna.

3. What do you enjoy most about your job?

I work at two Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Springview Elementary and Miami Springs Senior High. At the end of the day, I enjoy working with kids and I know I can make a difference one child at a time. I became a school psychologist to help the children to be successful in school, not just academically but integrate socially, emotionally and behaviorally as well. It is a great feeling knowing that I can make a positive difference in a child’s life.

4. What’s the accomplishment you’re most proud of?

At this point in my life, I am proud of being a mom but I am also proud of having the courage to chase my dreams. I hope that in my actions I teach my three children to persevere and to shoot for the stars. I want them to learn to have faith in themselves and to give back to others. Now that I’m on the show, I hope to model that level of inspiration for my kids and for other families that are watching.

5. What advice would you give to students studying to become school psychologists?

School gives you the skills to shine, but you as an individual have to make an effort to excel and demonstrate the desire to be the best professional you can.

6, How’d you go from school psychologist to baking sensation? Was baking always a part of your life?

I call it cooking and baking therapy. It’s the perfect combination of what I do during the day and my passion for baking. At night, I cook and I bake. Baking therapy allows me to disconnect from what I do all day and be creative. You need to have another avenue of engagement because as school psychologists, we’re always addressing issues and concerns. It lets me step back and do something different.

7. This isn’t your first baking competition. How does being on TV compare?

I’ve participated in other baking competitions in the past – I enter the annual National Pie Championships – but as far as the Food Network, the Holiday Baking Championship is my first, but hopefully not my last.

Oh my goodness, being on the Food Network is the cherry on top of the ice cream. It doesn’t get any better than that. Last night I sat on the couch with my family, we switched over to the Food network and there I was.

8.  What’s the one thing your family always wants you to bake?

I do a lot of my baking at night and on the weekend. When they come home, I’m usually up to something in the kitchen. Yesterday I was making cookies. My dad loves shortbread cookies and my orange cookies – those I’ve made on the show.

They’ve updated the website now so you can find the orange cookie recipe and the sweet bread recipe I’ve made on the show. I’ve never baked bread before. It was a total risk, a very risky move but you have to go take chances to move ahead.

9. What do you think of the judges? Who’s your favorite Food Network personality?

When we got on the show, I didn’t know who the judges were going to be. When they all came out, I wanted to jump up and down because I love Duff Goldman from “Ace of Cakes.” He’s someone I admire.

They were great judges. They’re all pretty much on point. They’re very knowledgeable in the field of baking and they give very constructive comments. To have Duff or Nancy Fuller or Lorraine Pascal give you positive feedback, you know it’s sincere. I will take that with me forever.

10. Can you share any secrets about this Sunday’s finale? If you win, what would you do with the $50,000 prize?

Absolutely not! You’ll have to tune in this Sunday and watch.

If I win the competition, I definitely want to go to Hawaii – that’s on my bucket list. I would take my husband and my kids and when I get back I would like to start my own pie bakery that’s my dream.

You can help cheer on Naylet during this Sunday’s finale of the Food Network’s Holiday Baking Championship, which airs at 9 p.m. Visit foodnetwork.com for Naylet’s recipes and follow her on Twitter @Mamacooking05.