A new initiative spearheaded by the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development has secured a $3.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This funding, part of the Teacher Quality Partnership grant program, aims to create and enhance a Grow Your Own Network throughout Acadiana, a region significantly impacted by teacher shortages.
This program seeks to build a collaborative network that links local school districts with institutions of higher education, focusing on developing a sustainable, diverse, and highly skilled teaching workforce. Dr. Aimee Barber, the initiative’s project lead and an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at UL Lafayette, emphasized that the program is not just about filling classrooms but ensuring those classrooms are staffed with educators who have the proper preparation, cultural understanding, and dedication to their communities. The grant will facilitate a pathway for local talent to enter and flourish in the teaching profession, aiming to improve educational outcomes for students across Louisiana.
Key partners in this initiative include UL Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, and several public school systems across Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Martin, St. Landry, and St. Mary parishes. Additionally, collaborations with stakeholders like Steady State Impact for program evaluation and the Pugh Family Foundation for matching funds are instrumental in the initiative’s success. The program will also integrate a Teacher Registered Apprenticeship component, developed with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
The Grow Your Own initiative focuses on identifying and removing obstacles that prevent potential educators—especially those from underrepresented communities—from entering and remaining in the teaching profession. As a result, the program aims to not only expand existing pathways for aspiring teachers but also create new ones.
Dr. Barber projects that this program will benefit over 69,000 pre-K-12 students by equipping a new generation of educators to address the specific needs of local schools. “This program represents a holistic approach to tackling the teacher shortage while promoting academic success for students by establishing a reliable teacher pipeline tailored to the needs of regional communities,” she stated.
The initiative is backed by the combined expertise of UL Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development faculty, including Dr. Douglas Williams, Dr. Peter Sheppard, Dr. Micah Bruce-Davis, Dr. Marietta Adams, Dr. Leigh M. Tolley, and K-Lynn McKey.
This initiative not only highlights the commitment to improving education in Louisiana but also showcases the proactive steps being taken to empower local communities through enhanced teacher preparation and support.
In summary, the UL Lafayette initiative is a promising step toward mitigating teacher shortages by fostering local talent, enhancing educational quality, and ensuring that students in the region have access to well-prepared educators. This program has the potential to create a lasting positive impact on both teachers and students alike.