Do you feel like you are being called to make a difference in your community?
Or maybe feel like you need a new challenge?
No matter if you just finished a degree that didn’t take you where you thought you wanted to go, or if you have completed 20 years in a career and just need a change, education has a place for you.
Rapides Parish schools have openings for educators in our own community.
And Louisiana Christian University has openings this fall in its TEACH program for anyone up for the new challenge of becoming an educator.
“Anyone with a bachelor’s degree can chose to start teaching in Louisiana,” said Victory Lindo-Lemons, LCU assistant professor of education and TEACH program coordinator. “These teachers can only teach for a limited time frame without proper state certification. They have to complete an alternate certification program, and we want them to chose us.”
Lindo-Lemons said the TEACH alternative certification program at Louisiana Christian now enrolls candidates in the fall. Previously, it only offered open enrollment for a summer start, which prevented teachers from being able to begin the program during the fall and spring semesters.
“We are hopeful that this fall cohort will attract teachers who missed the summer start,” she said. “We basically want to change the narrative to say that it’s not too late to join the TEACH program and earn your Master’s degree while pursuing certification.”
While other universities offer similar routes, LCU is unique in its advantage of offering more hours at the master’s degree level for folks who have already earned a bachelor’s degree. This makes going back to school make sense for many.
The greatest value in the LCU TEACH program, compared to other certification programs, is that all 21 hours taken for certification can be used as part of a master’s degree, said Dr. Christy Warren, interim dean of the School of Education.
“This is a distinct difference,” said Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Cheryl Clark. “This is an investment in their future. All 21 hours of the TEACH program can be applied toward a Master of Arts in Teaching with only four classes more needed beyond the TEACH certification to earn a master’s degree.”
Rapides Parish School Board Superintendent Jeff Powell said LCU has provided and continues to provide quality educators for the Cenla community.
RPSB recently announced significant vacancies in the parish classrooms. Those with a bachelor’s degree and looking for a new challenge can take advantage of the opportunity the LCU TEACH program provides starting this fall.
“The Rapides Parish Public School System is proud of the strong partnership we have with LCU,” Powell said. “For decades, LC/LCU has not only helped prepare future educators for success in our classroom, they have also helped those who decide later in life that education is their true calling pursue their alternative certification and master’s degrees. Every year, LCU plays an integral role in helping the RPSB fill teaching vacancies with highly qualified candidates trained by some of the best leaders in the field. We employ just under 3200 employees, approximately 1600 of which are teachers. Each year there is a need to fill the dozens of vacancies left by those retiring, moving, or choosing other options. LCU and our other higher education partners work diligently with us to fill these voids.”
Additionally, Powell said Rapides Parish high school students have the option to dually enroll in courses through LCU allowing them to begin the process of earning a college degree while still in high school.
“As long as I have been superintendent, Dr. Brewer’s commitment to the students and teachers of Rapides Parish has been unwavering,” Powell said. “The Rapides Parish Public School System and Louisiana Christian University are showing the world how Rapides Parish truly is better together.”
LCU has been providing CENLA with public educators as teachers and administrators for over 100 years, said President Dr. Rick Brewer.
“The quick response from our School of Education faculty to confront this significant need for teachers in CENLA and beyond is indicative of the ‘And Then Some’ attitude of LCU undergirding our passion for human flourishing,” Brewer said. “Without a good education
the possibility for human flourishing is diminished yielding much of the problems negatively impacting our community today. Indeed, LCU and the RPSB are ‘Better Together,’ hand-in-hand offering a brighter future for the young minds we are blessed to inspire, mentor and teach daily.”
For more information , contact LCU School of Education at 318-487-7307 or via email to
education@lcuniversity.edu or education@lacollege.edu.
Original source can be found here.
