Published Oct. 16, 2019
Program designed to encourage aspiring teachers
The University of Louisiana Monroe is the first institution of higher learning in
the state to offer a pre-educator pathway recognized by the Louisiana Department of
Education. The program will be offered to high school students to give them an early
start toward teacher certification upon graduation.
Amy L. Weems, Ed.D., School of Education
Amy L. Weems, Ed.D., ULM Assistant Professor in the School of Education, coauthored
the plan with Lincoln Parish Schools. She presented the ULM Pre-Educator Pathway to
the state Board of Secondary and Elementary Education at its Oct. 16 meeting in Baton
Rouge. The board unanimously approved the plan.
“We are proud to offer this pathway for high school students who have an interest
in serving their communities through the teaching profession,” Weems said.
“This pathway was built through strong partnerships with our local school districts.
We look forward to helping those districts to train their best and brightest high
school students who will return to serve future generations. It is the very best example
of how grow-your-own initiatives can exponentially improve the quality of education
we can offer to our students to better our communities,” she said.
The ULM Pre-Educator Pathway will build on the existing Educators Rising program started
by the School of Education in the fall.
ULM partnered with three area high schools to implement Educators Rising. The initiative
encourages and guides high school students toward careers as teachers. Wossman, Neville
and Oak Grove high schools are providing preparatory course work through Educators
Rising to aspiring teachers.
According to information from BESE, “In this pathway, academic instruction and field
experiences will be paired to prepare students to pass required Louisiana teacher
certification exams (e.g. Praxis Core Reading, Writing, Math) and ultimately master
the General Teacher Competencies required for teacher certification in Louisiana.”
High school students who complete the Pre-Educator Pathway will receive the ULM Regional
Core Credential. Those enrolling at ULM to pursue a degree in education may transfer
credits earned via the pathway.
Courses offered as dual enrollment/dual credit in the School of Education focus on
multicultural learning communities and foundations of education.
“The goal was to develop a comprehensive education pathway that includes key content
and development of skills to better prepare high school students planning to pursue
degrees from the ULM School of Education,” Weems said.
For more information about the ULM Pre-Educator Pathway or Educators Rising, contact
Weems at weems@ulm.edu or 318-342-1280.
ULM School of Education in the news
· School of Education partnering with area school districts to encourage next generation
of teachers
· ULM School of Education presents award to Emily Ogden
· La. High School Teacher of the Year Emily Ogden keeps learning at ULM
· "Nick and June Were Here" by ULM's Shalanda Stanley launches Feb. 12
