Livingston Schools Hosts Pre-Educator Gala
Students Honored for Choosing Careers in Education
LIVINGSTON, La. – More than 30 students from five Livingston Parish high schools recently attended a Pre-Educator Gala to learn more about pursuing a career in education and to be honored for their early commitment to the field.
The event was hosted at the Denham Springs STEM Center on February 22 by the district as part of its “Grow Your Own” initiative.
The theme of the night was “Mission: LIFT,” which stands for “Lead & Inspire Future Teachers.” The student-focused program is an important part of Launch Livingston, the district’s platform for recruiting and certifying teachers. Students interested in pursuing education careers were provided with information on the education field, as well as the Educators Rising course, which will be taught at five of the parish’s high schools next school year.
Career & Technical Education Coordinator Brandi Desselle said 13 students from Denham Springs High School and Live Oak High School were awarded pins and commended for taking the Educators Rising classes for the past two years. Other students participate in a “signing,” where they committed to continue the mission of pursuing education as a career.
“We wanted to take this opportunity to honor these students for their participation in the program and for their commitment to make a difference in their local communities,” Desselle said.
Superintendent Joe Murphy said the program is a great way to inspire some of the district’s brightest young people to consider the field of education as a career.
“There is a state and national shortage of teachers, and fewer students are earning degrees in education. We need to actively encourage some of best students to consider answering this growing need,” Murphy said.
Murphy said Livingston Schools, as well as other districts, are seeking alternative ways to recruit teachers to the classroom, including alternate certification programs for adults with college degrees and programs that encourage high schoolers to pursue a teaching career.
The Educators Rising curriculum introduces the professional skillsets and dispositions students will need to be effective educators in the classroom.
Livingston Parish Teacher Katie Guidry presents student Jazlynn Miles with a pin, recognizing participation in the district’s pre-educator program, which aims to encourage and equip high school students with knowledge about the field of education and those educational paths that are available to them. Also pictured, to the right, are district administrators Tracy McRae and Tammy Kuhn.