WELCOME TO
SOUTH LOUISIANA
Teach For America • Region Name
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IN THIS SECTION:
Welcome to SOUTH LOUISIANA (SLA)
From the Executive Director
Confirmation in South Louisiana
Teaching in SLA
» SLA Districts
» Meet our corps members and alumni
Living Here
» Overview
» Where our corps members live
» Entertainment
Frequently Asked Questions
Teach For America • South Louisiana
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear 2017 Accepted Applicant -- Congratulations on your acceptance into Teach For America's 2017
South Louisiana corps! You have been selected for your accomplishments, leadership, and passion for
equity to join a diverse community of leaders in a movement that will change our nation.
The South Louisiana region, which is equal parts urban and rural, encompasses some of the lowest
performing school districts in the country. As a result of systemic injustices, societal neglect and
pervasive low-expectations we are committed to serving districts where less than 1/3 of students show
“basic” knowledge on standardized tests, where less than 75% of students graduate from high school,
and where those who do are rarely prepared for the rigors of college and career.
Laura Vinsant
Executive Director – Teach for America
South Louisiana
While there is still work to be done to reach the day that all students in South Louisiana have access to
an excellent education, we have made much progress and deeply believe in the potential of our
community to provide all children with the education they deserve. When I joined Teach For America’s
South Louisiana corps in 2007, we had 30 Teach For America corps members in our region. Today, over
200 Teach For America alumni call South Louisiana home, nine of which leading high-performing schools
across our region supported by over 100 fellow alumni educators who have remained in our region wellpast their two year commitment to Teach For America. Our history is rich with teachers who are
relentless in their desire to lead change for their students, who are passionately challenging lowexpectations put on their students, who are redefining possibilities by achieving the results few believed
were imaginable. Our work is paying off—Louisiana made the most significant gains in ACT growth
compared to other states this year and more of our students are graduating from high school than ever
before. We genuinely believe that our students are capable of anything and they show us every day.
Over the next two years you will spend time teaching, lesson planning and collaborating with parents
and community members. You will have the opportunity to lead your students to life-changing academic
progress, opening new horizons for them while also leading change at the school and community level.
Much like what I experienced in 2007, you will also find yourself falling in love with one of the most
amazing communities in our country. From Zydeco, Cajun, Jazz, Blues and a myriad of other festivals
celebrating food, music and culture every weekend, to a bustling city of nearly one million and small
towns where you are a central pillar of the community – you will find South Louisiana a place that
becomes home quickly and continues to draw you back the same way it did for me nine years ago when
I earned the privilege to call this place home.
Welcome to our movement toward educational equity and welcome to South Louisiana!
Teach For America • South Louisiana
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CONFIRMATION IN SOUTH LOUISIANA
My name is Brian Adams, and I am the Director, District and School Partnership for Teach
For America South Louisiana. I would also like to congratulate you on your acceptance to
Teach For America and share more about my role in welcoming you to our region.
During the confirmation window, I’ll be your primary point of contact as you consider your
offer to join Teach For America—South Louisiana. My goal is to provide you with all of the
information you will need to make an informed decision. As you consider the offer, you
may have questions or concerns about teaching, living, moving, and transitioning into
South Louisiana. I want to make sure all of your questions and concerns are addressed,
and if I do not have the answer to any of your questions I will track down an answer for
you. You will be hearing from me within 24 hours of you receiving your acceptance letter-be on the lookout for a phone call from me.
You don’t need to have all of your questions identified for our initial call. I realize that as
you process the information in this guide it may spur other questions, so I will check in
several times during the confirmation window. You also have access to me by e-mail and
phone. My e-mail address is [email protected] and my phone number is
(225) 241-4361. I am available after hours and on weekends, so please reach out to me
and if I am not available at the time I will promptly return your calls and e-mails.
I am a native of South Louisiana, where we have a rich heritage and an awesome culture.
We are invited and welcomed at all of the schools in which we place corps members. We
are making a difference and would love to have you as a part of our team. I look forward
to connecting, as you consider this journey with us.
Wishing You All The Best,
Brian Adams
Teach For America • South Louisiana
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TEACHING IN SLA
DISTRICTS
East Baton Rouge Parish
The second-largest district in the state of Louisiana serving more
over 42,000 students. The district has 6,250 employees of which
3,757 are teachers. Ranked 47 out of the 75 districts in the state,
the district received a letter grade of a C in 2015. The growth rate
for the district’s performance score was a negative 1.8%
The
Great School rating for the district as of June 2015 is a 4 out of 10
with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. While the
district has nine schools that have been rated Blue Ribbon Schools
by the Federal government, it still has over 20 schools in the
northern portion of the parish, an area characterized by high
poverty and a high minority population, that have letter grades of
either a D or an F.
Charter Schools
All of our charter partners are in East Baton Rouge Parish. These
schools receive their approval to operate from either the state or
the local school districts. We serve in charter schools that have
been approved by both East Baton Rouge Parish School District and
the state of Louisiana. Allowing charter schools to operate
presents addition school choice options for parents. Currently, the
parish has over 8 charter school groups approved to operate in the
parish. These groups represent over 25 individual charter schools.
East Feliciana Parish
Bordering East Baton Rouge Parish to the northeast, East Feliciana
Parish serves more over 2,000 students with 80% of the students
economically disadvantaged. Ranked 53 out of the 75 districts in
the state, the district received a letter grade of a C in 2015. The
growth rate for the district’s performance score was 1.2% The
Great School rating for the district as of June 2015 is a 4 out of 10
with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest
Teach For America • South Louisiana
Pointe Coupee Parish
Serving more over 3,100 students with 85% of the students being
economically disadvantaged. Ranked 51 out of the 75 districts in
the state, the district received a letter grade of a C in 2015. The
growth rate for the district’s performance score was a negative 9%
The Great School rating for the district as of June 2015 is a 3 out of
10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest.
Ascension Parish
Situated 45 minutes from downtown Baton Rouge, Ascension Parish
is home to some of the highest performing schools in the state.
However, the city of Donaldsonville on the West Bank of the
Mississippi River is home to several traditionally low-performing
schools serving low-income communities. Donaldsonville was at
one point the state capitol of Louisiana, and is home to many
historic sites. Serving more over 21,600 students with 49% of the
students economically disadvantaged. Ranked 4 out of the 75
districts in the state, the district received a letter grade of an A in
2015. The growth rate for the district’s performance score was
0.5% The Great School rating for the district as of June 2015 is a 8
out of 10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest
Avoyelles Parish
Avoyelles Parish is situated 90 minutes northwest of Baton Rouge,
serving more over 5,900 students. Ranked 69 out of the 75 districts
in the state, the district received a letter grade of a C in 2015. The
growth rate for the district’s performance score was a negative 25%
The Great School rating for the district as of June 2015 is a 3 out of
10 with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest.
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TEACHING IN SLA
St. Helena Parish
Serving more over 1,100 students with 95% of the students
economically disadvantage. Ranked 73 out of the 75
districts in the state, the district received a letter grade of a
D in 2015. The growth rate for the district’s performance
score was 6.8%.. The Great School rating for the district as
of June 2015 is a 1 out of 10 with 1 being the lowest and 10
being the highest.
Iberville Parish
Serving more over 4,700 students with 79% of the students
economically disadvantaged. Ranked 48 out of the 75
districts in the state, the district received a letter grade of a
C in 2015. The growth rate for the district’s performance
score was a negative 3.2% The Great School rating for the
district as of June 2015 is a 5 out of 10 with 1 being the
lowest and 10 being the highest.
To learn more about each of our
partner districts, visit their websites:
ASCENSION
AVOYELLES
EAST BATON ROUGE
EAST FELICIANA
IBERVILLE
POINTE COUPEE
ST. HELENA
Teach For America • South Louisiana
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TEACHING IN SLA
,MEET
Lo
OUR SLA ALUM
Name: Dominque Ricks
Placement School: Iberville High School
Teaches: English Language Arts
Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin – Madison
Corps Year: 2014
MEET OUR SLA ALUM
Name: Jessy Miller
Placement School: Lowery Elementary
Teaches: 3 rd Grade (Mentor Teacher)
Alma Mater: Virginia Tech
Corps Year: 2011
In Dominque’s Words: “I wanted to join Teach For
America for two reasons: First, to show other black
students from my community it’s possible to be
black and successful, and second to help Teach For
America achieve its mission so that every child can
attain the education he or she deserves.”
In her second year teaching, Jessy’s students scored
15% above the school average, 11% above the
district average and grew 57% on district created
benchmark exams aligned with Common Corps. This
performance is equivalent to growing an average of
1.7 years in one year’s time.
Dominque is a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In February 2013, Jessy was selected as the Regional
Finalist for the Teach For America National Sue
Lehmann Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2014,
as an alumni leader, Jessy received the Teacher of
the Year Award for Lowery Elementary.
Teach For America • South Louisiana
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LIVING IN SLA
OVERVIEW
One of the best parts about living in South Louisiana is your
interaction with fellow corps members. In addition to the support
they provide for your classroom and teaching development, they are
also a large part of your social network and with whom you will
explore your new home. The majority of our corps members live
together and make it a point to provide social opportunities for the
corps. With all there is to experience while living in Louisiana, your
social network of 100+ is right alongside you.
Because our corps members teach and live in such a wide range of
locations, we have found that living in or near the community in
which you are teaching has helped create fabulous relationships
between individual corps members, and between corps members and
their communities. You’ll see your kids at school, you’ll see their
parents at a local festival, and you will have an incredible opportunity
to get to know your fellow corps members.
The majority of our corps members live in Baton Rouge, a city of
nearly 300,000 people with all of the amenities of a big city. However,
the school communities feel close knit, and our corps members have
found it advantageous to truly get to know their local communities —
you'll enjoy Friday Night Football, Saturday festivals, and being close
to any number of outdoor activities!
WHERE CORPS MEMBERS LIVE
New Roads, Pointe Coupee Parish
New Roads is the main city in Pointe Coupee Parish and where many
of our Pointe Coupee corps members choose to live. From boating on
the False River, to Mardi Gras, to the New Roads Harvest Festival,
there is always something going on in this beautiful and historic city
(home to the famed author Earnest Gaines) just over a half hour’s
drive to Baton Rouge.
Teach For America • South Louisiana
Marksville, Avoyelles Parish
Marksville, located about 90 minutes from Baton Rouge, is home to one
of South Louisiana’s biggest attractions: Paragon Casino. Most Avoyelles
corps members live in Marksville, which is centrally located near our
Avoyelles schools. Many Avoyelles corps members have chosen to live
together, and have found the community very welcoming and
hospitable
Baton Rouge
Spanish Town (one of the oldest neighborhoods and close to
downtown) is home to Baton Rouge’s most popular Mardi Gras Parade,
the aptly named Spanish Town Parade. Beauregard Town is home to
several local restaurants and is next door to the Belle of Baton Rouge
Casino. Many corps members have found the housing affordable and
comfortable
Clinton, East Feliciana Parish
The majority of our St. Helena and East Feliciana Parish corps members
choose to live in Clinton, just 45 minutes from downtown Baton Rouge.
Living in Clinton offers the easy calm of a rural setting, with the option
of a major city a short drive away. Housing costs are generally
inexpensive, with many of our corps members renting out entire houses
and living together. Corps members living in Clinton have truly created a
home for themselves in South Louisiana
Donaldsonville, Ascension Parish
One of Louisiana’s oldest and most historic cities (Donaldsonville served
as the state’s capitol in the 1830s), Donaldsonville sits directly on the
Mississippi River. It is just across the river from Gonzales, which is home
to several restaurants and shopping centers, and is about 30-45 minutes
from many Baton Rouge hot spots. The housing in Donaldsonville is
both historic and inexpensive.
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ENTERTAINMENT
Music
In Baton Rouge, numerous venues present live music for every taste. Baton Rouge is also a cosmopolitan arts hub, with regular concerts
by the Baton Rouge Symphony and various classical performances presented by the Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Music and
the LSU Union Cultural Events. Corps members can also drive west to St. Landry parish to enjoy Zydeco breakfast at Café Des Amis in
Breaux Bridge. Here you can enjoy a traditional Cajun breakfast then dance it off with the local Zydeco dancing experts.
Outdoor Adventures
Much of Louisiana remains an unspoiled wilderness—great cypress swamplands and rolling hills covered with dense pines and
hardwoods that teem with deer and smaller game. Louisiana has many state parks in the area with camping sites and cabins available.
Fishing is a year round activity and catch limits are liberal. Canoeing in the bayous and basins of South Louisiana is like no other place.
Whether on a midnight paddle through the moonlit waters, or a weekend-long trek through the Atchafalaya Basin in search of the
elusive coypus (also known as nutria) and in the company of ubiquitous egrets and herons, you won’t regret your time spent in the
waters of winding bayous, alligator swamps, and stunning lakes filled with cypress trees. .
Day/Weekend Trips
Louisiana has 33 state parks and historic sites, including 10 which feature camping facilities. There are also hiking trails in nearby
national forest areas. The Atchafalaya Swamp is also nearby, with canoeing, fishing, and houseboat rentals. If you prefer your nature
tamed, Louisiana offers a wide variety of beautiful public and private botanical gardens, or you can join the revelry at an LSU football
game tailgate or Mardi Gras parade. Baton Rouge is a little over an hour away from New Orleans, making it a perfect weekend
destination. The bleach at Biloxi, Mississippi, is only 2 1/2 hours from Baton Rouge. Other beautiful Florida beaches are just over four
hours beyond Biloxi.
Land of Festivals
Louisiana is could be considered the home of festival. Attending these festivals provide opportunity to meet people and experience
the rich culture of the state. Some of the festivals include: the Crawfish Festival, Beaux Bridge; the Strawberry Festival, Ponchatoula;
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, New Orleans; Festival International, Lafayette; Bayou Country Superfest, Baton Rouge; the
Italian Festival, Tickfaw; Natchitoches Christmas Festival, Natchitoches; and the Renaissance Festival, Hammond.
Teach For America • South Louisiana
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the certification process like?
We partner with TNTP and Relay for alternative certification for corps
members. Corps members attend on line “content” seminars over the
course of the year or in class sessions depending on the certification
provider. After passing the course, corps members are put on a Level
One teaching license, meaning they are certified to teach in Louisiana
for three years.
Do I get to choose my placement district?
No, we place our teachers in areas of high need all across South
Louisiana. Some of these districts are urban, some are rural, but all
are within a 45 minute drive of a large city. We work hard to match
you up with a school and district where we believe you are both a
good fit and where you will make an incredible impact on children!
When should I start thinking about where to live? And do most
corps members live alone, or do they live with other corps
members?
During Induction, before summer Institute, we’ll take you on a tour of
South Louisiana so you can get a better understanding of the local
landscape. Many corps members have found it helpful to wait until
after that point to look for housing — in part because you won’t know
which district you’re teaching in until early summer or later. Generally,
housing is not difficult to come by, and once you’ve picked out a town
or neighborhood we can get you in touch with realtors or other
individuals and you can find a place quickly.
often get a bigger house and more easily split the costs. The decision,
however, is entirely yours!
What is training and support like?
We’re going to give you the support and resources you need to be
successful in the classroom. Our Manager of Teacher Leadership
Development (MTLDs) spend the majority of their time in schools
observing you, reflecting with you, and working with you to continually
improve your effectiveness as a teacher. Your summer Institute
experience will prepare you with many of the building-blocks of
effective teaching, and we will continue to build those skills as your
corps experience progresses. We firmly believe in your ability to be a
transformational change agent in the classroom, and all of our support
and training is geared toward making you the most effective teacher
possible!
What must I do in order to beginning interviewing for possible
positions with partner districts and schools?
In order to be eligible to interview you must successfully completed
your Praxis Exams. This will allow you to enroll in an alternative
certification program. You will be considered “highly qualified” by the
State and receive a Practicioner’s License. Once you successfully
complete The alternative certification program you will obtain a Level 1
License from the State. You MUST successfully complete your Praxis
Exams in order to be eligible to enroll in an alternative certification
program. You MUST be considered either highly qualified or certified
in order to teach in Louisiana.
The choice to live alone or with others is completely up to you. We
would recommend you get to know your fellow corps members
before making the decision. Your time at Institute will allow you to
bond and create friendships, and during that time many people
choose to live with other corps members who will be teaching in their
same district. Generally, those corps members who choose to live
together in a house or apartment pay cheaper rent and find they can
Teach For America • Region Name
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REGIONAL GUIDE
SOUTH LOUISIANA
The South Louisiana Office
P.O. Box 65148
Baton Rouge, LA 70896
225.381.8163
Teach For America • Region Name
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