The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development has launched a new teacher preparation initiative, secured by a substantial $3.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Quality Partnership grant program. This initiative aims to create and enhance a “Grow Your Own Network” throughout the Acadiana region, addressing the pressing teacher shortages faced in southern Louisiana.
The initiative’s primary goal is to construct a regional network that links local school districts with higher education institutions, thereby nurturing a sustainable, diverse, and skilled teaching workforce. Dr. Aimee Barber, the project lead and assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at UL Lafayette, emphasized the program’s dual focus on equipping educators to fill classrooms and ensuring that these educators are well-prepared and culturally competent, deeply committed to the communities they serve.
“This grant will foster a viable pipeline for local talent to enter and excel in the teaching profession, ultimately improving educational outcomes for students throughout Louisiana,” stated Dr. Barber.
Key collaborators in this initiative include UL Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, and various public school systems across Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Martin, St. Landry, and St. Mary parishes. Partners such as Steady State Impact will focus on project evaluation, while the Pugh Family Foundation provides matching funds. The initiative will also work with PDK International to develop a pre-educator curriculum and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to implement a Teacher Registered Apprenticeship component.
The program will work to identify and remove barriers that prevent aspiring educators, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, from entering and staying in the teaching field. By expanding and enhancing existing Grow Your Own programs, this initiative aims to create new pathways for future educators.
Anticipating an impact on over 69,000 pre-K-12 students, the program seeks to prepare a new generation of teachers capable of meeting the unique needs of local schools. Dr. Barber highlighted the holistic approach of the program to not only address the teacher shortage but also to contribute to the academic success of students by establishing a reliable teacher pipeline serving regional communities.
The collaborative efforts of faculty members from UL Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development, including Dr. Douglas Williams, Dr. Peter Sheppard, Dr. Micah Bruce-Davis, Dr. Marietta Adams, Dr. Leigh M. Tolley, and K-Lynn McKey, further reinforce the initiative’s potential impact.
This initiative symbolizes a hopeful stride toward resolving educational challenges in Louisiana, paving the way for future educators to thrive and positively influence countless students.
Summary: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has launched a $3.1 million initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Education to create a “Grow Your Own Network” aimed at addressing teacher shortages in Acadiana. This program connects local districts with higher education institutions to build a skilled, diverse teaching workforce and is set to impact over 69,000 students in Louisiana.