Tag: Louisiana Educators

Louisiana Educators Empowered: New Policies for Teacher Autonomy

In recent years, Louisiana’s education system has seen significant shifts aimed at addressing teacher workload, student discipline, and classroom management. This summer, the state’s education landscape was poised for another pivotal change with the introduction of the Let Teachers Teach policy package for Louisiana Educators, spearheaded by State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley, as per this new release from LDOE. The initiative aims to reduce the number of mandated teacher trainings, tighten student discipline protocols, and allow educators greater freedom in lesson planning. These policies, inspired by input from a dedicated workgroup, was considered by the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) in August.

At the heart of this proposal is the recognition of the challenges Louisiana educators face daily in managing the demands of their profession. Dr. Brumley has emphasized that teaching is not only demanding but also vital to the success of Louisiana’s students. He believes that this new policy package will bring meaningful relief to educators who have long been burdened by redundant trainings and disruptive classroom environments. The Let Teachers Teach initiative will signal a shift towards prioritizing teachers’ time and well-being, ultimately allowing them to focus more on their core responsibility: teaching.

The BESE board is scheduled to meet from August 20-21, where the Let Teachers Teach policy package will be reviewed and discussed. If the board approves the measures, every public school in the state will experience changes to existing policies in the upcoming school year. Dr. Brumley has expressed optimism about the policy’s potential, noting that it aims to alleviate some of the pressures teachers encounter. “Being an effective teacher is hard work, and we seek to make the job more manageable and fulfilling,” he has stated. The goal of these policies, according to Dr. Brumley, is to show support for teachers who are dedicated to their craft as they return to classrooms across the state.

The Let Teachers Teach policy package targets three main areas for Louisiana educators: reducing state-mandated teacher training, strengthening student discipline policies, and giving teachers more autonomy over their teaching methods. The first aspect of this initiative addresses the issue of annual teacher training, which has been a significant source of frustration for educators. Currently, teachers in Louisiana are required to undergo numerous non-academic trainings on an annual basis. These mandatory sessions are time-consuming and often repetitive, pulling teachers away from focusing on instructional planning and delivery. In response to this, the proposed policy suggests a “one-and-done” approach to many of these trainings. Teachers will no longer have to repeat the same non-academic lessons every year, freeing up valuable time that can be redirected toward teaching.

Dr. Brumley has acknowledged the concerns shared by both policymakers and educators regarding the excessiveness of these trainings. The consensus is clear: while professional development is essential, the current model has become overwhelming and counterproductive. Under the new policy, the focus will shift to more meaningful training sessions that emphasize quality over quantity.

Another key component of the Let Teachers Teach package is the reinforcement of student discipline policies. This aspect directly impacts the Teacher Bill of Rights and is designed to address issues surrounding persistent classroom disruptions. The proposed policy empowers teachers to take assertive action when faced with students whose behavior is consistently disruptive. Teachers will be granted the authority to have students removed from the classroom immediately if their actions interfere with the orderly instruction of others or pose a threat to safety. This policy comes in response to concerns that classroom disruptions have become increasingly common and that teachers often feel powerless in addressing such issues effectively.

By building on the feedback received through formal channels like the Superintendent’s Teacher Advisory Council and informal interactions such as classroom visits and faculty meetings, the Let Teachers Teach workgroup has developed a comprehensive plan to enhance the teaching profession in Louisiana.

For more education-related information, click here.

LDOE to offer Free Virtual Therapy through Ochsner Health

After teaching during a pandemic and one of the most active hurricane seasons ever recorded, Louisiana teachers will soon receive free mental health virtual therapy visits thanks to a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) and Ochsner Heath, according to this press release from the Louisiana Department of Education.

This partnership will offer four free virtual therapy visits to over 160,000 public school educators and support staff across the state, where they can connect with licensed mental and behavioral health providers through a secure virtual platform. The visits will be accessible through participants’ smartphones, tablets, and computers, and they can be booked after individuals browse profiles of healthcare providers and choose a clinician who best supports and serves their particular needs.

The four virtual visits will be available to Louisiana public school teachers and support staff at all K-12th grade school systems and early child care centers that serve children from birth to age four, including all traditional Louisiana public and public charter schools. After the four initial visits are booked and completed, participants can choose to continue their sessions by booking new ones at a discounted rate.

State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley said of the state’s educators, “Louisiana educators have done hero’s work through a pandemic and one of the most active hurricane seasons on record for our state. They have been there for our children and families during this stressful year, and this partnership with Ochsner is one way we can be there for them.”

According to a survey published in August 2020 by  The Hechinger Report, approximately 40 percent of surveyed Louisiana early childhood educators reported clinically relevant signs of depression, likely caused by not only personal problems but also the uncertainties of the upcoming school year as a result of the Covid-19 landscape.

The initiative to offer virtual mental health services from Ochsner Health to the state’s educators is a part of a three year, a million-dollar initiative that’s funded by the LDOE’s allocated funds from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) to adequately respond to the health needs (both mental and behavioral) experienced as a result of the pandemic.

Governor John Bel Edwards said of the initiative, “It is critically important that the state provide mental and emotional support for our teachers and support staffs who unselfishly give so much of themselves to ensure that education continues for our students during this unprecedented pandemic. The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEER) is being used to fund the partnership between the Louisiana Department of Education and Ochsner, and I’m grateful that we are able to support our education workforce.”

Qualifying educators and support staff unfamiliar with virtual therapy visits will be surprised by how much they resemble in-person office visits and also be thankful for their convenience. When joining a secure video conference call with their selected, licensed provider, patients will be first asked about the medical history, current symptoms, and goals for therapy. Taking in this information, the provider will assess the situation and then develop and recommend a treatment plan. The visit is a part of Ochsner Health’s Anywhere Care, a private, secure, HIPAA-compliant tool that enables patients to consult online with a provider safely and confidently.

After a whirlwind year of uncertainty, confusion, and unfamiliarity, it’s helpful to know that the state Department of Education is supporting the mental health of its teachers. Ochsner Heath’s Vice President of Telemedicine, April Radford said, “We recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented unique challenges to educators – both frontline teachers and administrative staff.”

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Louisiana Educators, Leaders Attend Jump Start Convention

According to the Louisiana Department of Education, on Tuesday, January 28, 2020, approximately 1,400 Louisiana educators and industry leaders convened at the 6th annual Jump Start Convention. The convention was held at the Raising Cane’s River Center with the theme “Modern Pathways to a Prosperous Future.” The attendees reflected on the progress of the state’s premier career and technical education program, built knowledge, shared resources, and strategized for the future.

Jump Start began in 2014 and is Louisiana’s innovative career and technical education program. This program prepares students to lead productive futures as adults who are capable of continuing their post-high school education while earning certifications in high wage careers. Students in this program are required to attain the necessary credentials that are aligned with more than 50 approved pathways in order to graduate with a career diploma.

Before the Jump Start program, less than two percent of students graduated with a career diploma. Now, over one in five students will graduate with a career diploma. The number of industry-based credentials earned by Louisiana students has increased from 17,885 in 2014 to over 90,000 in 2018.

“Jump Start has fundamentally changed the opportunities available to young people in Louisiana,” said State Superintendent John White, who deliveredthe event’s opening address at 7:40 a.m.“However, it remains the case that too often those credentials are not translating into full-time employment after high school, youth unemployment remains high, and many high school graduates do not have concrete plans for their future following graduation. This convention presents an opportunity for educators and industry leaders to come together to discuss how we can better prepare our students for lifelong success, and in turn, move Louisiana forward.”

At the convention, which was a day-long event, the attendees reflected on recent CTE gains. Among those 2019 highlights are:

  • “Local education and business leaders across the state partnered to expand the Jump Start Summers program, which enabled 1,942 students, including those with disabilities, to receive paid, on-the-job career and technical training during the summer months. Participating students earned an average stipend of $939 and 1,650 academic credits, 472 dual enrollment credit hours, and 2,223 industry-based credentials.”
  • “Louisiana approveda new Jump Start pathway to equip both college and career-bound high school students interested in pursuing a career in education with the knowledge and skills needed to find success upon graduation. The Pre-Educator Pathway includes a special progression of courses to help students develop a strong foundation of academic knowledge and skills, as well as an understanding of diverse learners and the learning environment.”
  • “Louisiana expanded opportunities for high school students to develop knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, to help them succeed following graduation, all while earning career credentials and transferable course credit to LSU and Xavier University. The four new Jump Start STEM pathways, available to both college and career-bound students, include Xavier University Pre-Pharmacy; LSU Biomedical Sciences; LSU Computing; and National Integrated Cyber Education Research Center, or NICERC, Cyber Security.”
  • “Quest for Success, an innovative course that allows middle and high school students to develop essential workplace skills, explore various careers and industry sectors, and learn about themselves and their interests in order to successfully navigate life after high school, was scaled statewide. The course, which will replace the Journey to Careers course, was designed by the 22 educators who participated in the Louisiana Educator Voice Fellowship.”

The attendees also looked into the future of CTE through reviewing the implementation plan for Jump Start 2.0, which is a five-year expansion of the current Jump Start program that will focus on reducing the stigma around career education.

 

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Two Louisiana Educators Receive National Honors

According to Louisiana Believes, Steven Gamache and Jennifer Williams, two Louisiana educators, received the 2019-2020 prestigious, nationally recognized Milken Educator Award as well as the accompanying unrestricted check for $25,000. The two language arts teachers are among 40 educators nationwide to receive this year’s award.

Steven Gamache is an eighth grade language arts teacher at Paul Habans Charter School in Orleans Parish. He obtains a bachelors in English from Fordham University and a master’s in adolescent education from the College of Saint Rose. Aside from being the school’s lead ELA teacher, Gamache is also the coach to sixth and seventh grade ELA interventionists.

Jennifer Williams, a sixth grade language arts teacher at John Q. Adams School in Jefferson Parish, received her bachelor’s in elementary education from the University of New Orleans. She’s also the organizer of her school’s “Test Fest”, one of the schools biggest events.

Both Gamache and Williams were prepared for an assembly, celebrating their schools’ wonderful academic gains, when they were given the surprise of a lifetime as the Milken Educator Awards Founder, Lowell Milken, announced the true reason they were there.

“There are very, very few human beings walking the planet with the commitment, intelligence, sense of humor, thoughtfulness and integrity that Steve possesses. He’s the newest member of a very elite group and he deserves every accolade he received – and will receive – today and going forward.” said Tracy Blowers about teacher Steven Gamache in response to receiving the Milken Educator Award.

Watch the video for Steven Gamache receiving his award here.

Alena Alexeeva says about Williams, “Mrs.Williams is one of the best teachers. She is always thinking about the class and teaches her students well. She helps students understand a new topic easily and motivates her students to never give up. She also has very good methods in her class that make learning easy and fun.”

Watch the video for Jennifer Williams receiving her award here.

Winners of the Milken Educator Award are selected in their early to mid-career, with consideration of what they have already achieved, as well as the promise of what they will accomplish in their career. Aside from the $25,000 prize and public recognition, the award also includes being inducted into the Milken Educator Network, a community of more than 2,800 top teachers, principals, and specialists who have also received the honor of the award.

Winners of the 2019-2020 Milken Educator Award will also attend a Milken Educator Forum in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 26-28, 2020, where they will have the opportunity to network with their new colleagues and peers and elaborate and exchange ideas with both state and federal on the future of education.

The Award’s “Why Not Us” program will pair each 2019 recipient to a Milken Educator veteran mentor so they can explore, collaborate, and prepare new ideas for expanded leadership roles that better and solidify education practice and policy.

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