Strengthening Louisiana Classrooms: How School Leaders Can Empower Their Teachers
| by Angel Clark
Great schools thrive on the work of great teachers — but they need leadership support to do their best work. With over 41,000 teachers serving more than 670,000 K–12 students across Louisiana, school leaders play a major role in ensuring educators are well-prepared, continuously developing, and feel secure and encouraged in their careers.
The following 3 strategies offer practical ideas for empowering teachers across The Pelican State:
1. Guide Teachers Toward Full Educator Certification
In the 2022–23 school year, nearly 40% of Louisiana teachers were not fully certified for the subjects or grade levels they were assigned to teach. This includes 8,326 educators teaching outside of their certification area (out-of-field) and 7,869 who were teaching without certification altogether.
For educators teaching without full certification or outside their field, the work can feel like an uphill climb. They’re learning the content as they go, trying to design lessons, answer tough questions, and support student growth — all at the same time. Without a strong foundation or consistent support, many spend evenings and weekends catching up, constantly working to stay ahead of tomorrow’s lesson. It’s a heavy lift, and one that often goes unseen.
School leaders can make a meaningful difference by establishing strong support systems that help propel teachers toward earning their full educator certification. That could mean building a small team focused on certification support, assigning an experienced mentor to guide educators through the process, or simply creating a clear roadmap so teachers know where to turn for help.
Cost can also be a major hurdle for teachers pursuing certification. By offering tuition support or financial incentives for teacher preparation programs, districts can ease that burden and invest in long-term teacher retention at the same time. Partnerships with institutions like Moreland University provide flexible, accelerated pathways, such as the TEACH-NOW Teacher Preparation Certificate Program, which leads to certification in as little as 9 months. For districts enrolling 30 or more teachers, discounted tuition rates provide an affordable, high-impact solution to build a stronger and more qualified workforce.
2. Redefine Professional Development (PD) for Growth
Louisiana is projected to have 2,860 open teaching positions across elementary, middle, and secondary schools each year through 2032. To meet this demand, Louisiana must focus on retaining talent — not just recruiting it. A key part of that equation is professional development that feels meaningful, not mandatory.
PD should be relevant, career-aligned, and adaptable, allowing teachers to grow in the directions that matter most to them. School leaders play a pivotal role in shaping these opportunities. That might mean creating leadership pathways for aspiring administrators, supporting master’s degree programs or National Board Certification, or empowering teachers to lead their own PD sessions through peer-to-peer learning.
When teachers see professional development as an opportunity instead of an obligation, they’re more likely to stay, grow, and lead. Purposeful, well-structured PD is one of the most strategic investments Louisiana schools can make to boost educator retention and student achievement.
3. Create a Supportive School Culture
As teacher attrition continues to challenge districts across Louisiana, building a culture of support has never been more critical. Teachers thrive when they feel recognized, trusted, and included — not just in instruction, but in shaping the broader school environment. Creating that kind of culture requires intentional leadership and daily actions that demonstrate respect for educators as professionals.
School leaders can build this foundation by prioritizing meaningful communication, celebrating individual and team successes, and working to remove unnecessary administrative barriers that contribute to burnout. Encouraging peer-to-peer collaboration, cross-grade learning, and teacher-led innovation fosters a sense of shared purpose and professional ownership.
When educators feel consistently supported and valued, they’re more likely to remain in the field and be more invested in student success. A strong culture isn’t built overnight, but with consistent attention and care, it becomes a powerful tool for retention and school improvement.
Moreland University Supports Louisiana Schools and Teachers
Louisiana’s education system depends on engaged and well-trained educators who have supportive school leaders and peers. Investing in teacher success today will lead to higher retention, better learning outcomes for students, and a stronger future for Louisiana’s education system.
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