WELCOME TO

SOUTH

LOUISIANA

IN THIS SECTION:

Welcome to South Louisiana

Joining our diverse network

» Teaching in South Louisiana

» Fellow corps members

» Alumni spotlight

Preparing to lead your classroom

» Overview of onboarding » Onboarding timeline and expectations

Financial transition

» Overview of costs » Need-based transition grants and loans Frequently asked question

Dear 2018 Corps Member,

Congratulations on your acceptance into Teach For America's 2018 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. We

have struggled historically to prepare all of our students with an education that equips them for college and career.

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 alumni in our region. Today, over 250 Teach For America

alumni call South Louisiana home, twelve of which lead schools across our region supported by over 150 fellow alumni educators who have remained

in South Louisiana well-past 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 low-expectations 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 last year and more of our students are graduating from high school than ever before.

Over the next two years you will spend time teaching, lesson planning and collaborating with fellow corps members, teachers, parents and community

members. You will have the opportunity to lead your students to life-changing academic progress, opening new horizons for them while building

relationships with others who are also deeply committed to educational equity.

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 to many rural small towns who are ready to welcome you into their 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 and so many leaders within the Teach For America community.

Welcome to our movement toward educational equity and welcome to South Louisiana!

In partnership,

Executive Director, Teach For America South Louisiana

2007 Corps Member

MEET THE CORPS MEMBERS YOU’LL BE WORKING WITH

JOINING OUR DIVERSE NETWORK

CLYDE PITRE 2017 South Louisiana Corps

Why South Louisiana? Life in South Louisiana is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. The music and people all come together to create an unforgettable experience. Much like a gumbo, South Louisiana is a little bit of everything thrown together in a pot. In South Louisiana, I wholeheartedly enjoy the benefits of being a part of a growing community of young professionals. The unique mix of festivals throughout the year such as, Mardi Gras celebrations, crawfish boils, and the soulful music events have really made living in South Louisiana an experience of a lifetime.

How are your leadership skills developing through your classroom experience? I believe that leadership is more than just standing in front of people telling them what to do, a leader needs to have a lot of respect and humility for whatever he or she touches. Every opportunity I get to absorb knowledge or learn a lesson from veteran teachers, administrators, custodians, parents and students I take it. Some of the best advice I have received has been from one of my school’s senior custodians Ms. Debra. She said, “Listen to students and go to as many community events as you can, once your students and student parents see that you are invested in the community teaching will come easy.” I know I have a lot to learn on this journey of teaching, but I am excited to see where it will lead me.

JESSICA MAJANO-ARRIAZA 2016 South Louisiana Corps

Why South Louisiana? I never imagined myself living, much less falling in love with this incredible city. South Louisiana is filled with so much rich culture from the festivals to the food; this community has so much to offer.

How are your leadership skills developing through your classroom experience? Prior to becoming a teacher I didn’t know how much I was capable of. Teaching has developed me in so many ways. I’ve learned to be confident and stand up for my kids whenever they need me too. I’ve learned to lead a classroom of 22 wonderful kids and take on the responsibility of helping them develop themselves. The lessons I’ve learned in the classroom are lessons that I will always be thankful for.

ALUMS IN THE SOUTH LOUISIANA REGION

BRIDGET DEVLIN 2007 South Louisiana Corps Chief Operating Officer, Louisiana Department of Education

Why South Louisiana? I marked the "send me where I'm most needed" box on the Teach for America application so you could say South Louisiana chose me. However, once I arrived it was clear this was a place with a culture and community unlike any other. I loved that I was able to teach and live in a rural community while also spending my weekends in the capital city tailgating, running around the lakes, or enjoying an amazing meal with friends.

How has Teach For America impacted your career trajectory? I have no idea where I where I would be working without Teach for America, but I am confident I would not be the Chief Operating Officer of the Louisiana Department of Education, a role I am honored and grateful every day to take on. I applied for the corps because I love kids, but I didn't know that I loved fighting for them until I completed the corps. I left the classroom after two years to take on a different challenge but felt pulled back to education advocacy and South Louisiana every day. One day, it was enough to call the South Louisiana alumni affairs director and discuss job openings. Within a week, I had four interviews set up so I quit my job, moved back to Baton Rouge, and haven't looked back since.

JOINING OUR DIVERSE NETWORK

CHELSIE GRIFFIN 2015 South Louisiana Corps

Why South Louisiana? There is a genuine spirit of community about this region that I haven’t witnessed anywhere else. Everything is rooted so deep ly in love and that was most evident to me after the Great Flood of 2016 when I saw people coming together across our region to support one another. I love the community where I teach the most, because it expands to much more than just the students, it is a community that respects and trusts teachers. This allows for relationships to be cultivated between teacher and students, teacher and parents and most of all teachers and the community that we love and serve.

How has Teach For America impacted your career trajectory? To be honest I had no intention of ever teaching and I saw Teach For America as an opportunity to get more post-grad experience and move on, but teaching has changed my entire life. TFA gave me an opportunity to become a teacher and allow my students to see someone that looked like them represented in education, but more importantly it allowed me to grow exponentially as a person. Through this experience I have learned how to leverage my leadership, be a true advocate and unlock the power that education can provide. TFA has allowed me to understand that I am a leader in this movement and that I have the most important role of all, educating the future revolutionaries of the world.

OVERVIEW OF ONBOARDING

WHAT ONBOARDING MEANS TO US

Please refer to the Teach Onboarding spans from when you accept your spot

in the corps until you arrive in South Louisiana for Induction. During this

time, you will be working towards a deeper understanding of the progress

and realities of teaching and leading in South Louisiana, and begin the steps

to be a certified teacher. Your transition is important and we want you to

feel supported every step of the way, but you are the driver of your own

experience. You will be in contact with Teach For America staff during

Onboarding who will assist you in creating a personalized plan to meet all

requirements and feel prepared to arrive!

For America Corps Member Handbook for information on the policies and

expectations for all corps members. Please note that additional information

about your specific institute’s policies and procedures will be released and

communicated throughout the year leading up to institute.

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING SUMMER TRAINING

• • What is it? Teach For America hosts training that takes place for 5-7

weeks during the summer and include learning experiences and

summer school teaching.

• Where is it? Your training begins in South Louisiana and from there

you go to Delta Institute, which is located in Cleveland, MS.

• Am I paid? Teach For America provides corps members’ housing and

meals. Corps members do not receive a salary during this time.

• Where do I live? During training, corps members typically share a

dormitory room with one or more of their fellow corps members.

• Should my family come? The training schedule is very busy, and in

some cases, corps members prefer to find alternate arrangements for

children and families during training. Family accommodations are

available at each of our sites - corps members are responsible for the

family member’s expenses.

PREPARING TO LEAD YOUR CLASSROOM

ONBOARDING ACTION ITEMS AND TIMELINE There are three major chunks of time during your Onboarding into the corps. While you won't begin teaching your students until the fall, your commitment to them begins over the next few months as you prepare for the corps.

Onboarding Call

Create your personalized timeline to meet

requirements & transition to the SLA corps

Join community Facebook group

Meet testing requirements

Begin coursework (institute pre-work + onboarding

webinars)

Complete hiring action items

Book travel

Complete Institute logistics action items

Estimated Time Commitment:

6 hours

Estimated Time Commitment:

70 hours

Estimated Time Commitment:

15 hours

Join onboarding webinars

Complete Induction logistics action items

Complete fingerprinting & background checks (as

necessary)

PREPARING TO LEAD YOUR CLASSROOM

Within 1 Month Of Confirming

Months Leading Up To Induction

1 Month Before Induction

Praxis: 1 and II $300 Transcripts (2 copies): 0-$75

Travel to Region $500

Travel to Institute: ~$100

ESTIMATED TOTAL: $1,000

Housing Costs: $2,000 (First & Last Month’s Rent and Security Deposit)

School District Fingerprints: $50-$100

Supplemental Food: $300

ESTIMATED TOTAL: $2,500

Alternative Certification Program $4,500 - $8,000

Final Praxis Exam $150

ESTIMATED TOTAL: $4,500 -$8,500

FINANCIAL TRANSITION

In addition to testing and certification, one of the most important pieces of your transition is planning for the financial transition of joining the corps. While Teach For America is not able to provide financial advice, as we are not financial advisors, we have pulled together resources and alumni tips that will assist you in planning for your transition. Teach For America covers many of your major expenses during summer training (e.g. food, housing) for all corps members. We also offer a Need-Based program to help you with some of your transition expenses. Packages are offered based on a corps member’s demonstrated need and the cost of transitioning to your assigned region. Please check your Applicant Center under the Transitional Funding tab to learn more about Need-Based Transitional Funding and how to apply. The deadlines for applying and other helpful information related to your transition can all be found here. If you have questions after checking out our resources, please attend an office hours to ask your questions. Please sign up for an appointment, and you will receive updates and reminders before your call. Register for Office hours here.

FINANCIAL TRANSITION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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 Managers 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!

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!

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 Practitioner’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.

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.

What is the cost of certification? Am I responsible for the cost of certification?

The certification cost ranges from $4,500 to $8,500 depending who you select as your alternative certification provider. You will not have to pay the entire cost up front. The certification providers will work with you to put in place a payment plan. The payment plans are usually interest free loans.

What is the LSU tuition exemption program and how does it work? LSU is a gracious partner and allows corps member in their second year and alumni in their first year to enroll in graduate school tuition free. You must go through the normal application process and be accepted into graduate school. The exemption does not apply to LSU Online, the Vet School, Med School and Law School. In addition, the professional MBA program has additional cost above the graduate program exemption.

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) you will have an opportunity to tour 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.

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 often get a bigger house and more easily split the costs. The decision, however, is entirely yours!