Prentice Garrett-Cooper only planned to take a few courses, but one certificate turned into a full master杏吧专区檚 degree.
She was teaching full time, raising a young daughter, and looking for a way to grow professionally without putting everything else on hold.
杏吧专区淚 saw UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 certificate programs and thought, 杏吧专区極h, I杏吧专区檒l do that... It杏吧专区檚 only a few credit hours. Super fun, easy, quick,杏吧专区櫺影勺ㄇ鴿 Garrett-Cooper says. 杏吧专区淚 liked the online format and that I could still pursue my career aspirations.杏吧专区
She enrolled in the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 Graduate Certificate in Instructional Coaching program expecting a flexible way to sharpen her skills.
But the more she learned, the clearer it became 杏吧专区 she was just getting started.
杏吧专区淚 was in the last class for the certificate when I realized how useful the master杏吧专区檚 program would be,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 wanted to have the skills to build a curriculum, effectively deliver it, and guide others in delivering it. So, I decided I'm just going to finish the degree.杏吧专区
So, Garrett-Cooper went all in, applying the credits she earned in the certificate program to the online Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and gained the tools to lead instructional change on a larger scale.
A Program Built for Busy Educators
As a full-time teacher and mom, Garrett-Cooper needed a graduate program that respected her time. UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 online M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Specialist, degree gave her flexibility without compromising on connection or quality.
杏吧专区淚t let me get through my workday and still be present for my daughter,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檇 take her to practice and sit in the parking lot to do my coursework.杏吧专区
Even though she studied online, she never felt isolated. Assignments were easy to find, and professors were quick to respond.
杏吧专区淭he professors were prepared, knowledgeable, and easy to get a hold of. Nothing felt out of reach,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 feel different because I was an online student. It was like I was going to a brick-and-mortar campus every day, even though I wasn杏吧专区檛.杏吧专区
Garrett-Cooper says the intentional feedback she received helped her grow as an educator.
杏吧专区淭hey weren杏吧专区檛 just writing comments on my work to say they did. They杏吧专区檇 give feedback like, 杏吧专区榊ou杏吧专区檙e starting off really well, but it杏吧专区檚 too broad. Narrow the scope. What aligns better with your focus?杏吧专区 It actually contributed to my growth.杏吧专区
Taking Coursework to the Classroom
Garrett-Cooper didn杏吧专区檛 have to wait until graduation to put her new skills to use. As she progressed through the program, she applied what she was learning both in her district and on a statewide level.
In August 2024, she was contracted by the Louisiana Department of Education to serve as a teacher leader advisor.
杏吧专区淯L Lafayette gave me the skills to do that job more effectively. I was able to evaluate how curriculum is built regarding scope,杏吧专区痙epth, sequence杏吧专区痑nd what it would require to be delivered杏吧专区痚ffectively in schools across the state,杏吧专区 she says.
At the same time, she was supporting fellow educators in her district, sharing strategies and feedback drawn from her coursework.
One course, EDCI 576: Supporting Classroom Instruction, gave her the chance to complete hands-on observation hours in another classroom. She chose to observe an ESL class, where students spoke a mix of French, Arabic, Spanish, and Mandarin.
杏吧专区淚magine trying to teach an English literature concept to a classroom with so many languages,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚t was interesting to learn how second language learners need different kinds of support, curriculum, and instructional strategies.杏吧专区
That experience helped her adapt her own approach to instruction and prepared her to guide others in doing the same.
Looking Ahead: Leading with Confidence
With experience across grade levels and a passion for helping her peers, Garrett-Cooper is already influencing education beyond her own classroom.
Now, she feels ready for the next step as she explores leadership opportunities.
杏吧专区淚 know education is where my future is,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 enjoy how much I杏吧专区檝e grown as an educator, and I杏吧专区檓 excited to see what杏吧专区檚 next.杏吧专区
Her advice for anyone considering UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 online M.Ed. program is simple: come prepared to take responsibility.
杏吧专区淏e ready to manage yourself. Good time management, a planner, and clear communication with professors will make all the difference,杏吧专区 she says.
Ready to level up your teaching career? Learn more about our online Master of Education, Curriculum & Instruction program.
