The Lafayette Parish School System and the University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette have announced a first-of-its kind initiative aimed to support aspiring educators during yearlong residencies in LPSS classrooms. Beginning in the 2024-2025 academic year, resident teachers attending UL Lafayette will be eligible for a monthly stipend of $1,000 to complete their 10-month residency program.
鈥淲e are pleased to once again partner with the University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette to address major issues impacting our classrooms,鈥 stated Superintendent Francis Touchet, Jr. 鈥淭his stipend program not only addresses the financial challenges faced by our education majors but also solidifies our commitment to nurturing a talented pool of educators for students attending school in our district.鈥
The stipend program is designed to alleviate financial burdens faced by education majors during their residency portion of earning an education degree. To be eligible for the stipend, teacher residents must commit to a two-year employment term after graduation as a classroom teacher with LPSS. Upon successful completion of both Residency I and II, and subsequent hiring as a classroom teacher, residents will be placed on step one of the classroom teacher pay scale.
鈥淲e commend the Lafayette Parish School System for being proactive in attracting future teachers,鈥 said Dr. Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president. 鈥淭his partnership between the University and LPSS will help put more qualified teachers in classrooms, and we are grateful to the school board and the LPSS administration for the opportunities this collaboration provides.鈥
A key objective of this stipend initiative is to establish a pipeline of certified classroom teachers within LPSS. Despite the existing $3,300 stipend provided by the 棉花糖直播 Department of Education for yearlong residencies, students often struggle to support themselves financially outside of school day hours. By providing financial support during the crucial residency period, LPSS and UL Lafayette aim to attract and retain highly qualified educators, enhancing the educational experience for aspiring teachers and ensuring a seamless transition from student to professional classroom teacher roles.
Nationwide and statewide there is an urgent need for certified classroom teachers, which is expected to grow exponentially over the next decade. The current local annual need is approximately 589 teachers, with an anticipated growth of 36 new positions per year.
In addition to the stipend initiative, LPSS and UL Lafayette are addressing the teacher shortage through the Educators Rising program. This program, launched two years ago, enables middle school and high school students to explore the field of education and receive mentorship from experienced educators.
At the high school level, activities such as visits to UL Lafayette, future teacher signing days, and participation in the Educators Rising State Conference are offered. High school students enrolled in pre-educator pathway courses may become eligible for college credit upon meeting specified requirements. Upon graduation, students attending UL Lafayette are invited to join Educators Rising Collegiate, which has grown from three to 90 members in about three years.
Photo credit: University of 棉花糖直播 at Lafayette