The University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development has recently secured a significant $3.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the Teacher Quality Partnership program. This funding will be utilized to launch and enhance a “Grow Your Own Network” throughout the Acadiana region, aiming to tackle the ongoing challenges posed by teacher shortages in southern Louisiana.
The initiative seeks to create a cohesive network that links local school districts with higher education institutions. The goal is to cultivate a sustainable, diverse, and highly skilled teaching workforce. Dr. Aimee Barber, the project’s lead and an assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at UL Lafayette, emphasized the program’s dual mission: not only to fill teaching positions but to ensure that these roles are filled by well-prepared, culturally competent educators who are dedicated to their communities. This effort is expected to establish a sustainable pathway for local talent to thrive in the teaching profession, ultimately enhancing educational outcomes for students in Louisiana.
Collaborating partners for this program include UL Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, and several public school systems across multiple parishes, including Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Martin, St. Landry, and St. Mary. The initiative will also work with Steady State Impact for project evaluation, the Pugh Family Foundation for matching funds, and PDK International for developing pre-educator curriculum, as well as the Louisiana Workforce Commission for incorporating a Teacher Registered Apprenticeship component.
A key aim of the program is to identify and eliminate barriers that discourage potential educators from entering or remaining in the field. By expanding existing “Grow Your Own” programs and creating new pathways, especially for aspiring teachers from underrepresented communities, the initiative aspires to make teaching a more accessible and attractive profession.
Dr. Barber highlighted that the program is anticipated to benefit over 69,000 pre-K-12 students by preparing a fresh generation of teachers equipped to meet local schools’ needs. This comprehensive strategy presents an optimistic blueprint for addressing the teacher shortage while simultaneously promoting student success through a dependable teacher pipeline tailored to the regional community’s requirements.
Other notable faculty from UL Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development involved in the grant include Dr. Douglas Williams, Dr. Peter Sheppard, Dr. Micah Bruce-Davis, Dr. Marietta Adams, Dr. Leigh M. Tolley, and K-Lynn McKey.
This initiative represents a hopeful advance toward securing a robust educational future for Louisiana, fostering homegrown talent, and inspiring a new generation of educators dedicated to making a difference in their communities.