The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development has been awarded a significant $3.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Teacher Quality Partnership program. This funding is aimed at launching and enhancing a Grow Your Own Network throughout Acadiana, a strategic initiative to tackle the ongoing teacher shortages in the south-central region of Louisiana.
This innovative program will link local school districts with higher education institutions, creating a collaborative network designed to cultivate a sustainable, diverse, and skilled teaching workforce. Dr. Aimee Barber, the project lead and assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at UL Lafayette, emphasized that the initiative not only fills teaching positions but also ensures that educators are equipped with the necessary skills and cultural competencies to serve their communities effectively. “This grant will enable us to build a sustainable pipeline for local talent to enter and thrive in the teaching profession, ultimately raising educational outcomes for students across Louisiana,” she stated.
Key partners involved in this project include UL Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, and various public school systems spanning Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Martin, St. Landry, and St. Mary parishes. The initiative also collaborates with organizations like Steady State Impact for project evaluations, the Pugh Family Foundation for matching funds, PDK International for pre-educator curriculum development, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission to integrate a Teacher Registered Apprenticeship component.
By addressing and minimizing the barriers that currently prevent aspiring educators from joining and remaining in the profession, the program seeks to broaden existing Grow Your Own initiatives while also creating new opportunities for individuals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. Dr. Barber anticipates that this initiative will positively impact over 69,000 pre-K-12 students by fostering a new generation of teachers who are well-equipped to meet the specific needs of local educational settings.
In summary, this program epitomizes a comprehensive strategy to address the teacher shortage crisis while simultaneously uplifting academic performance among students by developing a reliable supply of committed educators tailored to local communities.
This initiative is a promising testament to the potential for innovative educational strategies to shape the future of teaching and learning in Louisiana, fostering a sense of hope and inspiration for students, educators, and the community at large.