Teaching in Louisiana shapes lives, including that of the educator. It is the perfect career for those who yearn to break out of boring routines and jobs with little meaning. The interactive vocation is full of variety and unique experiences. Teaching keeps an educator’s brain sharp while enriching the next generation’s minds. 

Louisiana’s schools need more teachers to step up and into the classroom. The teaching shortage impacting the nation has left the state searching for ways to cover the gaps. For instance, some districts now use online teaching providers to teach classes their current staff can’t cover. However, what they want most is more qualified teachers in their schools.

Each US state has its own steps to becoming a fully certified educator. In response to the shortage, Louisiana has created various pathways to becoming a teacher, including alternative programs. In our guide, we’ll go over these pathways and other information you’ll need to start your teaching career in Louisiana. 

beautiful young teacher in class

Is Teaching the Right Career for You? 

Teaching is a rewarding but demanding profession. Planning and implementing lessons is only one aspect of being an educator. Teachers grade and assess assignments, projects, and tests. They help organize school events, field trips, and attend meetings with fellow colleagues, parents, and committees. It’s not a career that fits neatly into the 9 to 5. 

The education profession suits people passionate about learning and enjoy working with youth. Teaching is about making connections with students, their families, and the wider community. Educators who thrive in this environment embrace challenges, seeing them as opportunities to put their creative problem-solving skills into practice. 

The high-energy career comes with long hours, and the lifestyle isn’t what would typically be described as glamorous. However, there are benefits to the career. Louisiana teachers work about 182 days a year, allowing for lengthy vacation breaks. They also offer healthcare benefits and retirement plans. Legislators are also considering adding paid parental leave. 

Salaries and packages vary between school districts and US states. For instance, the average annual salary in Louisiana is $54,300, whereas in Mississippi it is $49,770. 

State Requirements for Teaching in Louisiana

Each US state has its own pathways to becoming a certified teacher. In Louisiana, the process is overseen by the Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE). 

LDOE’s offers three main pathways to teaching:

  • Undergraduate (Traditional route)
  • Aspiring Educator/Pre-Educator Pathway (Accelerated traditional route or alternative education career)
  • Post-Baccalaureate (Alternative route)

The LDOE’s traditional route involves the following steps: 

1. Bachelor’s Degree

Louisiana, like all US states, requires a bachelor’s degree to teach. Technically, the degree can be in any field. However, it is advised to choose courses focused on education and any field or specialty you wish to teach. 

Examples of bachelor’s degrees available to Louisiana teacher candidates include:

  • Early Childhood Education: PK-3. 
  • Elementary Grades Education: 1-5.
  • General/Special Education: 1-5.
  • Education, Chemistry: Secondary. 
  • Education, Mathematics: Secondary.
  • Education, Spanish: Secondary. 

Obtaining a bachelor’s degree centered on education will help prepare candidates for a career in the classroom. Skills and knowledge provided by the degree include:

  • Youth development. 
  • Assessment, lesson planning, and instruction methods. 
  • Subject area knowledge.
  • Classroom management strategies. 

2. Complete an Accredited Teacher Preparation Program

Louisiana requires candidates to have completed an approved educator preparation program. Most candidates on the traditional pathway program complete this program as part of their educational bachelor’s degree requirements. However, some institutions tack on the program as a 5th year of study and award a master’s degree upon completion. 

Accredited teacher preparation programs involve coursework dedicated to preparing candidates for a career in education. They also include hands-on training, such as fieldwork, observation, and student teaching. 

3. Gain Student Teaching Experience

Student teaching experience and fieldwork are part of the traditional pathway teacher preparation programs. However, those on alternative routes must complete a year of full-time teaching. 

4. Pass Praxis Exams

LDOE requires candidates to pass the relevant Praxis exams. Candidates must take the exams corresponding to the grade level and subject area they wish to become certified to teach.   

All Louisiana candidates must take the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) for their grade level. A passing score of 157 is required for Early Childhood candidates and 160 for all others.

In addition, teaching candidates must take the relevant subject tests for their certification area. For example, a candidate wishing to become certified in Elementary Education must take the Praxis Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects. 

5. Get Certified

To get certified, Louisiana teaching candidates must create an account on the Teach LA Live! portal. For Initial Certification Recommendation the application must be submitted by the “program provider,” the teacher preparation program. The applicant will be required to fill out their portion of the document.

In addition, the application must include the following:

  • Signed copy of social security card and driver’s license/state ID. 
  • Professional conduct form. 
  • Official transcripts. 
  • Praxis exam scores. 
  • Mentoring Attestation form. 
  • Experience Verification form or Local Evaluation Attestation form. 
  • Copy of online Payment made through the portal. Fee schedule can be found here. 

Teaching candidates from out-of-state or those applying for an ancillary certificate can find the necessary certification application packets here. 

Those with any questions are encouraged to speak to their district employer or program provider. Candidates can also submit correspondence through the portal to the certification office provided they provide the listed information. 

6. Pass a Background Check

LDOE requires any new hires, including bus drivers and janitors, at a public or charter school to pass a background check. The checks are submitted to the Louisiana Bureau of Criminal Identification (LCBI). 

7. Consider Getting a Master’s Degree

LDOE does not require a master’s degree to teach. However, master’s degrees are an excellent way for teachers to stand out in the hiring pool, increase pay, and widen career options. They open doors to advanced opportunities, including in higher administration. 

Master’s degrees may be obtained at various stages of an educator’s career:

  • Some institutions, such as the Louisiana State University, offer a master’s degree to traditional route candidates who elect to take a fifth year. 
  • Some alternative pathway programs provide a master’s degree.
  • Certified educators can often fulfill their professional development requirements through a master’s degree program.

Aspiring Educator/Pre-Educator Pathway to Teaching in Louisiana

The Louisiana Pre-Educator Pathway is for Louisiana high schoolers who already want to become a teacher. The hybrid program allows them to begin taking courses in academic instruction and gain field. 

The pathway helps prepare students to pass the teacher certification exams. It also allows them to put the credits towards their university degree to become a teacher or a technical diploma to work in various areas of education, such as a school system cyber vulnerability tester, para-professional, or childcare worker.   

Post-Baccalaureate Alternative Pathway For Teaching Candidates in Louisiana 

The LDO’s Post-Baccalaureate Alternative Pathway is for aspiring teachers with bachelor’s or higher degrees. These alternative pathways allow the candidate to gain certification without obtaining a second bachelor’s degree. The process typically takes 12-18 months. 

Alternative teaching programs differ in price, scheduling, and time scale. Some are more expensive and rigorous but result in a master’s degree. Others have shorter and more flexible coursework combined with a year of paid full-time teaching instead of an unpaid residency. 

Participants in any alternative pathway program must do the following:

  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher. The degree must be from an accredited institution. 
  • Complete the educator preparation program. Coursework varies depending on the program. 
  • Pass exams. Candidates must take the Praxis Exams, including the Principles of Learning (PLT) and the appropriate content area test(s). 
  • Secure a teaching post. Candidates must complete a 1-year teaching residency. They must find a full-time position at a Louisiana school. 
  • Apply for Temporary Authority to Teach (TAT). The LDOE provides a TAT certificate to allow teaching candidates to work full-time in the classroom. The TAT is valid for 1 year and can be renewed twice. 
  • Pass a background check. Fingerprints will be run through state and national databases. 
  • Apply for certification. A candidate can apply for full certification once all coursework, exams, and a year of residency have been completed.  

Getting Hired as a Teacher

Getting hired as a teacher in Louisiana involves completing the required education, training, and certification requirements. The teaching shortage has made finding an available teaching post easier. However, positions at the best-paying school districts remain competitive. Thus, to land a job at your most desired school, you must be prepared to show your best self. 

To gain employment in a Louisiana school, invest time and attention in the following steps.  

Polish Your CV

A CV or resume is often your first introduction to a school. You want it to look its absolute best. It will also need to be tailored to each job opening to highlight the specific skills, experience, and education mentioned in the position’s description. 

Thus, invest time and attention into crafting the perfect CV template. The document should be formatted for easy editing so you can smoothly reorder and rewrite sections so they speak to each job advert. 

Tips for polishing your CV template:

  • Research modern CV formats being used by teachers working at your grade level and subject area. Use an eye-catching and clean design, making it easy to skim and spot your strengths.  
  • Obtain feedback from industry professionals such as a mentor, coach, or instructor. Anyone with a background in HR or hiring is also a valuable set of eyes.  
  • Proofread your CV template. Use grammar software to help catch errors. In addition, read it out loud. 
  • Read it before sending it. No matter how many times you’ve edited your CV, give it one final peek before hitting “submit.” 

Upgrade Your Skill Set

Teachers should upgrade their skill sets to help their CVs stand out. Educators who are already teaching can boost skills through professional development courses. 

Candidates who don’t have any teaching experience outside of fieldwork and residency can still display aptitude and skills through other opportunities, including:

Teaching skills to upgrade include: 

  • Active Listening: Teachers must build relationships with their students, parents, colleagues, administration, and community members. Sincere interest and concentration in the words of others are essential to making connections, gaining empathy, and avoiding and resolving conflicts.
  • Communication: Teachers work with many different types of people, including students, parents, colleagues, and community members. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential for smooth relations and working to meet shared goals. 
  • Adaptability: Schools are diverse and unpredictable places. Excellent teachers can be flexible in teaching methods and schedules to meet student and school needs. Creativity and ingenuity also help problem-solve issues that crop up, including when making big ideas happen on tight budgets. 
  • Conflict resolution: Teachers can use disciplinary tools to manage tension and disagreement inside the classroom. But that won’t help them when dealing with colleagues, the school board, parents, guardians, and members of the community. They must use diplomacy and negotiation to help navigate disputes. In addition, they’ll find these skills valuable in the classroom to avoid overusing discipline.  
  • Technology: Schools need new hires who are comfortable integrating technology into lessons and managing assessments and communication. But they require savvy individuals who can go beyond using the latest gadgets. School budgets are tight, and equipment can be old. Let them know if you have experience in refurbishing aging computers and tablets. 

Begin Your Job Search

Louisiana teacher candidates can look for job openings by visiting school district and charter school websites or contacting them directly. If a position is unavailable, ask them to keep your CV on file. 

Online recruitment sites are another excellent way to find job openings. Options include the following: 

Join a Professional Organization and Network

Louisiana teaching candidates should consider joining a professional organization. These groups allow educators to network, find support and advocacy, learn about career-enhancing opportunities, and keep up-to-date with developments in their teaching area. 

Professional organizations in Louisiana to consider include:

Ace Your Job Interview

A job interview is an essential step a teacher’s hiring process. Increase your chances of success with our top tips:

  • Investigate the school. Find out as much about the school and the position as possible. Every school has its own culture and dynamic. Learn about their values, educational philosophy, challenges, and triumphs. The more you discover, the better prepared you’ll be to showcase the parts of yourself that they’ll find most appealing.  
  •  Research interview questions. Practice answering teacher interview questions before the big day. Try to frame your answers so they highlight the needs and experiences of students rather than yourself. Also, have some specific examples ready to use, as these have a greater impact than broad responses or theoretical scenarios. 
  • Dress appropriately. Learn the teacher’s dress code for the school and dress a step better. Suits or blazers are an excellent choice. Even if the school is casual, do not show up in jeans or running shoes. Interviews are also not the time to wear novelty ties or quirky jewelry. 
  • Introduce yourself to everyone in the room. Everyone present at the interview is significant. It doesn’t matter if one is holding a broom or taking drink orders. The janitor might be the principal’s most trusted judge of character. The “little old lady” fussing with the coffee might be the head of the school board. 

Similar advice should be followed when answering interview questions. Begin by addressing your answer to the person who asked the question. However, as you talk, also be sure to look at the others in the room, ideally making eye contact. Do not ignore anyone, even if somebody is there “only” taking notes. 

Career Outlook & Salary in Louisiana

At the start of 2024, Louisiana’s job growth was hailed to be the best it has been in two decades. More jobs tend to bring more families, which means a greater need for teachers. In addition, Louisiana is dealing with a critical teaching shortage. Thus, educators are in high demand. 

According to the US Department of Education Teacher Shortage Areas Reports, Louisiana has the highest need in the following teaching areas:

  • Special Education.
  • English as a Second Language.
  • Mathematics.
  • Science.
  • World Languages.

Louisiana’s government has been trying different incentives to attract teachers. Bonuses and stipends have been used in 2023 and 2024 for educators across the board. Conversations have been happening about using similar financial boosts for teachers who take hard-to-fill positions in subject areas or poorer school districts. 

Become a Teacher in Louisiana

Louisiana’s low cost of living makes the state an attractive place to teach. Known for its mild winter, excellent parties, vibrant music scene, and divine cuisine, the state is no hardship to live in. 

Frequently overlooked is its great outdoors. It has good beaches, a mountain to climb (well, walk up), and the wetlands provide excellent fishing and wildlife spotting. For those who prefer fewer mosquitos, there is also a national forest to hike, bike, and camp. Thus, Louisiana is a state that provides plenty for its residents to see and do. 

Louisiana is a state with a strong sense of community. Neighborhoods are close-knit, and children are highly valued. Teachers in Louisiana are part of the vital social fabric that makes the state so special. 

Teachers in Louisiana are investing in their community’s youth. If you feel called to this valuable vocation, contact Teachers of Tomorrow, the largest national alternative certification provider. We’re here to help you make a difference.