3 Proven Strategies to Advance Your Louisiana Teaching Career
| by Angel Clark
If you’re looking to start or advance your teaching career in Louisiana, there are proven steps you can take to enhance your qualifications, increase your long-term job opportunities, and maximize your earning potential. Whether you’re a new educator or looking to grow professionally, consider these 3 strategic approaches to enhance your Louisiana education career:
1. Earn Full Teacher Certification
While many people find consistent work as long-term substitute teachers or serve as full-time educators temporarily, there are many benefits to earning full teacher certification in Louisiana. Being certified immediately qualifies you for more job opportunities in The Pelican State and gives you the chance to gain valuable experience in the classroom that can lead to incremental pay increases through your school district’s salary schedule in addition to opening the door to future career advancement.
Moreland University’s TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certification Program has helped thousands of current and aspiring teachers earn their teaching licenses in as little as 9 months. Offered 100% online, this comprehensive program includes a 12-week student teaching experience and is designed to empower adults to earn their certification while continuing to work and handle all of life’s responsibilities.
2. Specialize in High-Demand Teaching Areas
Like some other states, Louisiana has a significant teacher shortage in STEM subjects and special education. By earning endorsements or certifications in these high-need fields, teachers can improve their job security and opportunities to earn financial incentives like those outlined in Louisiana’s Differentiated Compensation Allocation guidance.
Earning an advanced degree can also help educators specialize in high-demand teaching areas. Many Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) programs offer focused coursework in a specific subject. Teachers pursuing an M.Ed. with Moreland can choose from one of specializations while completing their program fully online in as little as 12 months, including:
- Special education
- Educational technology
- Early childhood education
- Teaching multilingual learners
- Globalization in education
- Educational research
3. Develop Leadership Skills with Specialized Degrees
Taking on leadership roles can be a major step in advancing your teaching career in Louisiana’s education system. Many educators grow professionally by serving as mentors, department chair, or curriculum coordinator. Mentoring new teachers, especially, enhances collaboration while preparing educators for administrative and coaching positions. To recognize these efforts, many school districts offer stipends or salary increases for teachers taking on additional responsibilities.
Advanced degrees like Moreland’s Master’s in Educational Leadership are tailored to help teachers develop the skills needed to thrive in roles as principals, administrators, or other school and district leaders. Another way to build your professional credentials and credibility while unlocking new leadership opportunities is by earning a National Board Certification (NBC). This certification can help strengthen your instructional skills, and many school districts prioritize educators with this certification for mentorship roles, instructional coaching, and professional development positions.
Uplevel Your Louisiana Teaching Career with Moreland University
By specializing in high-demand areas, developing leadership skills, and earning full teacher certification or advanced degrees, Louisiana teachers can expand their career opportunities and improve their earning potential.
Moreland supports current and aspiring teachers in Louisiana with flexible programs that fit their schedules and help them take the next step in their careers, as well as complimentary resources including salary insights and guides to teacher certification outlining everything you need to know to become an educator in The Pelican State.
If you’re ready to take your teaching career to the next level, complete your free application today. It takes less than 15 minutes to fill out and makes it easy to jumpstart your teaching journey with support from Moreland University.
