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 grant program. This funding will be utilized to establish and enhance a “Grow Your Own Network” throughout the Acadiana region, aimed at addressing the ongoing teacher shortages in southern-central Louisiana.
This initiative seeks to create a robust regional network that links local school districts with higher education institutions. The goal is to cultivate a sustainable, diverse, and highly skilled teaching workforce that is well-prepared to meet the needs of their communities. Dr. Aimee Barber, the project lead and assistant professor of curriculum and instruction at UL Lafayette, emphasized the program’s dual focus: not only filling classrooms but also ensuring that those classrooms are staffed by educators who are culturally competent and deeply committed to their communities.
Through the Grow Your Own program, efforts will be made to build a sustainable pipeline for local talent to engage and prosper in the teaching profession, which is expected to enhance educational outcomes for students across the state. The initiative is a collaboration among UL Lafayette, South Louisiana Community College, and public school systems across Lafayette, Vermilion, St. Martin, St. Landry, and St. Mary parishes. It also involves partnerships with various organizations, including Steady State Impact for project evaluation, the Pugh Family Foundation for matching funds, PDK International for curriculum development, and the Louisiana Workforce Commission concerning the implementation of a Teacher Registered Apprenticeship component.
A critical part of the program will involve identifying and alleviating barriers that prevent potential educators from entering and staying in the profession. The initiative is dedicated to expanding existing “Grow Your Own” programs and establishing new pathways for aspiring teachers, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds. The anticipation is that this program will positively affect over 69,000 pre-K-12 students by preparing a new generation of teachers skilled in meeting local educational demands.
Dr. Barber noted that this comprehensive approach addresses the pressing teacher shortage while positioning students for future academic success through a reliable teacher pipeline tailored to the community’s needs. Other faculty members from UL Lafayette’s College of Education & Human Development involved in the initiative include Dr. Douglas Williams, Dr. Peter Sheppard, Dr. Micah Bruce-Davis, Dr. Marietta Adams, Dr. Leigh M. Tolley, and K-Lynn McKey.
This investment not only signals a commitment to improving educational resources in Louisiana but also reaffirms the importance of nurturing local talent to build a stronger educational framework for future generations.
Summary: The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has received a $3.1 million grant to develop a Grow Your Own Network to combat teacher shortages in South-Central Louisiana. This initiative will connect local school districts with higher education institutions, aiming to prepare diverse and skilled educators committed to local communities, ultimately impacting over 69,000 students.