Born and raised in New Iberia, Louisiana, Noel Migues Boutte has spent her career teaching at her alma mater, New Iberia Senior High.
After earning her bachelor杏吧专区檚 in secondary education and math from the 杏吧专区, she stepped into the classroom. For more than 15 years, that杏吧专区檚 where she杏吧专区檚 made her mark.
Boutte had always wanted to be in the classroom. But after a decade, she started to wonder how she could keep growing.
杏吧专区淚 was looking at what new goals I could set for myself, and I decided to get my master杏吧专区檚,杏吧专区 Boutte says.
That goal led her back to UL Lafayette for the hybrid Master of Education in Educational Leadership. The program is designed for teachers ready to advance their careers without stepping away from the classroom.
Finding the Right Program Fit
When it came time to return to school, UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 M.Ed. in Educational Leadership stood out for its format.
杏吧专区淚 looked into a couple of other programs, but I felt hybrid was best for me,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 needed to talk to people. I needed to be in a classroom at least once a week.杏吧专区
In the program, students take two courses each semester, meeting with one class face-to-face each week. On weeks you don't meet with your class, coursework is done online.
That mix of in-person and online coursework offered structure and community, making a huge difference in a hectic season of life.
杏吧专区淚 found out I was accepted into grad school on my honeymoon,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭hen I moved, started teaching again, and by Fall I found out I was pregnant. Within two years, I got married, moved cities, had a baby, and finished grad school.杏吧专区
Through it all, her professors and classmates offered constant support.
杏吧专区淭hey gave me grace when I needed it,杏吧专区 Boutte says.
杏吧专区淚 did an assignment in the hospital the day after having a baby. My professors let me Zoom when I couldn杏吧专区檛 drive to Lafayette, and my classmates knew it was my first child, so they helped however they could.杏吧专区
Growth, Connection, and Leadership
Boutte says the program helped her strengthen skills she uses daily in the classroom, like collaboration and understanding different perspectives.
杏吧专区淲e spent a lot of time learning to respect others杏吧专区 thought processes,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淥ther people have creative solutions, and their thought process is also valid.杏吧专区
She also valued meeting teachers across her district 杏吧专区 connections she wouldn杏吧专区檛 have made otherwise.
杏吧专区淢y favorite part was working with people from Iberia Parish who I wouldn杏吧专区檛 have met if it weren't for this program,杏吧专区 she says.
For now, Boutte is content in the classroom, waiting for the right opportunity.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 not just going to jump at a role because it杏吧专区檚 there,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 want to wait for the one where I杏吧专区檒l thrive. I love teaching, and I love my students.杏吧专区
Her advice for future students considering the hybrid program?
杏吧专区淛ust do it,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚t杏吧专区檚 going to be challenging, and you杏吧专区檙e going to have to juggle some things. But if I can do it, anyone can. You杏吧专区檙e always going to be busy 杏吧专区 but you won杏吧专区檛 regret it once it杏吧专区檚 done.杏吧专区
Advance your teaching career with an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from UL Lafayette.