ӰרWow. Do that again!Ӱר
ItӰרs the sort of thing you might hear as an illusionist uses up-close sleight of hand.
ItӰרs also what the coordinator for the ӰרӰרs Master of Education in Educational Leadership has been hearing from superintendents and administrators. But thereӰרs no illusion. Just real education leaders forged through real-world data, research, and problem-solving.
Using a cohort system in which students start as a group and work together for six straight semesters, UL Lafayette has been bringing its program to various school districts.
Program coordinator Dr. Frank Del Favero says the first cohort was in St. Martin Parish and was quickly followed by others in St. Mary, Vermilion, and Rapides parishes.
Because of the effectiveness of those graduates, there are now second cohorts underway in St. Mary, Vermilion, and Rapides.
ӰרThe beauty of this whole thing is weӰרre getting called back,Ӱר says Del Favero.
Sarah Butler is among the second Rapides Parish cohort members; her sister graduated with the first.
ӰרFollowing her journey and how much she and others grew, that was exactly what I was looking for,Ӱר Sarah says.
As she began her 13th year as a teacher, Sarah returned to the classroom as a student, as well. With minimal on-campus requirements, this hybrid Master's of Education program is designed for the working teacher.
The hybrid educational leadership program provides students with 24/7 access to online course content and valuable face-to-face time in their own school districts with faculty and peers.
In becoming a cohort member, Sarah has found not only an enriching course load, but also personalized attention.
ӰרThe draw for me is that itӰרs hands-on, real-world, relevant experience, and the expertise of the professors Ӱר theyӰרre top-notch,Ӱר she says. ӰרTheyӰרre so personal; they meet our individualized needs.Ӱר
Students in the MasterӰרs of Education program use data and issues from their own schools to develop action plans for progress.
ӰרWe show students how to analyze the data, how to identify trends, strengths and weaknesses then to find research-based solutions to the problems they uncover,Ӱר Del Favero says. ӰרStudents tell us their principals are excited when they hear theyӰרre in the program because they know theyӰרre going to get some help in addressing whatever issues that school might have.Ӱר
ThatӰרs been the case for Sarah, who also says sheӰרs able to pursue a graduate degree without feeling like sheӰרs carrying a separate workload.
ӰרI donӰרt feel like IӰרm doing extra work; I just feel like IӰרm doing more directed work toward making our school better,Ӱר she says. ӰרMy administration is more than happy to give me those opportunities because itӰרs so beneficial to them.Ӱר
Plus, she still has time to focus on her family, which includes an active 5-year-old son.
ӰרI still have time to go to T-ball games; I still have time to go on vacation,Ӱר she says.
Sarah graduated from Louisiana Tech in 2004 with her BachelorӰרs in secondary education, fulfilling her lifelong dream and calling.
ӰרI loved my teachers. They were my superheroes, and I wanted to be just like them,Ӱר she says. ӰרItӰרs a God calling. A lot of times we are the studentsӰר primary support, and thatӰרs important work.Ӱר
As her calling evolves, Sarah hopes completing UL LafayetteӰרs Master of Educational Leadership program will position her for the next phase in her career.
ӰרI hope to move into administration and work with students from that angle, providing them with a school and environment that best suits their needs and helps them thrive and grow,Ӱר she says, adding she hopes to provide similar support to other teachers, giving them, Ӱרthe school, culture, and environment they need to grow professionally and be the best they can be for their students.Ӱר
Sarah says she sees the potential for statewide impact through UL LafayetteӰרs efforts.
ӰרWe will see student achievement increase across the state because of their dedication to build a program outside of Lafayette,Ӱר she says, as cohorts learn valuable leadership skills through coursework as well as the traits demonstrated by instructors.
ӰרI just canӰרt speak enough for the professors in the program at UL; theyӰרre true teachers,Ӱר Sarah says. ӰרTeachers go above and beyond for their students and our professors at UL have done no less.Ӱר
Want to learn more about how UL LafayetteӰרs Master of Education in Educational Leadership can help you grow as an educator and improve your school? Request information today!