Louisiana Needs More Qualified Teachers; LSU’s Tiger Teacher Corps Is Answering the Call

Louisiana faces a significant teacher shortage, with approximately 1,000 vacancies statewide, leaving many classrooms without certified teachers. 

Strengthening the teacher pipeline is critical not only for classroom stability today but also for the future. By producing qualified, confident, and peer-supported teachers, the LSU Tiger Teacher Corps (TTC) plays a critical role in ensuring the long-term health of the state's education system. 

“The LSU Tiger Teacher Corps is not simply a program—it is a distinction and a leadership pathway for the next generation of educators. At our flagship university, we are redefining what it means to prepare and support future teachers,” said Roland Mitchell, Dean of the LSU College of Human Sciences & Education. “Through direct admission, early and sustained classroom experiences, a strong cohort-based community, financial support, and unprecedented access to school system leaders and policymakers, we are investing in students from day one and developing the teacher leaders who will help shape the future of education in Louisiana and beyond.” 

The Tiger Teacher Corps is LSU’s signature initiative for students committed to becoming educators. Open to all declared teacher preparation majors, regardless of whether they are housed in the School of Education, TTC builds a supportive, high-achieving community that develops future teachers academically, professionally, and personally across all four years at LSU. 

TTC addresses the teacher shortage through coursework, hands-on training, mentorship, and community engagement. 

For LSU student and aspiring teacher Kaitlyn LaCoste, the Tiger Teacher Corps made the path to the classroom feel real from day one.

“Through the program, I’ve leaned on my peers for guidance on lesson planning, annotating lesson plans, and stepping into classrooms to teach actual lessons. This support has helped me feel more confident, especially as I approach a full year of student teaching,” LaCoste said. “One of the biggest ways the program has shaped me is by helping me overcome nerves with whole-group lessons. I no longer feel anxious about standing in front of a class; instead, I embrace my role as the teacher I want to be.” 

Students begin working in local schools as early as their first semester, gaining real-world exposure long before student teaching. This early immersion builds confidence and strengthens retention in the major. They move through the program as part of a cohort, building lasting peer networks while receiving guidance from experienced education professionals and designated advisors who understand teacher certification pathways. 

“Tiger Teacher Corps is more than a program; it’s a community of educators. It’s a space where like-minded people come together, support one another, and learn from each other because, as a teacher, you can’t do it all alone,” LaCoste said.  

By reducing financial barriers through stipends and scholarships and providing structured mentorship and hands-on experience, TTC ensures that future educators enter the workforce confident and classroom-ready from day one. Over time, that preparation translates into stronger retention, as students build a professional identity and sense of purpose early in their college careers.    

Nichole Bonilla is a lifelong member of the LSU community. She attended the LSU Laboratory School from kindergarten through high school, earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from LSU, and now—nearly two decades later—teaches at her alma mater, driven by a deep love for Louisiana and its communities.  

“It’s important for Louisiana to grow and retain its own teachers because they understand the local communities, culture, and students they serve. Teachers rooted in Louisiana communities are more likely to stay long term, build strong relationships with families, and provide stability in schools. This is something short-term or out-of-state educators can’t consistently offer,” said Bonilla. 

The result of TTC is a sustainable pipeline of LSU-trained teachers committed to serving communities across the state—helping close certification gaps, reduce reliance on emergency credentials, and elevate the teaching profession at Louisiana’s flagship university. 

“Without programs like the Tiger Teacher Corps, Louisiana’s education system would likely face deeper teacher shortages, higher turnover, and less classroom stability. Schools would rely more heavily on short-term or out-of-state solutions, making it harder to build experienced, committed educators who understand local communities and can support students consistently over time,” Bonilla said. 

The impact of the Tiger Teacher Corps extends well beyond LSU’s campus. In the short term, the program increases the number of well-prepared teacher candidates entering Louisiana classrooms while simultaneously supporting K–12 schools through tutoring and early field placements.  

State education leader Ronnie Morris said these types of programs are crucial for the state’s progress. 

“Louisiana’s rise from 49th to 32nd nationally in K–12 education over the last five years is unprecedented in the history of our state. It has helped us all appreciate the untapped potential in our communities and create excitement for where our students can ultimately position us,” said Morris, District 6 Member of the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. “That progress brings both pride and responsibility. If we are going to reach our full potential and ensure that every student is prepared for the future, we must continue to grow and retain our own teachers. The relationships that educators build with students throughout their formal education are the true enablers for success. Those relationships drive engagement, achievement, and long-term outcomes.”   

At LSU, preparing teachers is not an afterthought—it is a flagship commitment. Through the Tiger Teacher Corps, students don’t wait until graduation to become educators. They begin leading, serving, and building classroom expertise from their very first semester, ensuring Louisiana has the strong, steady pipeline of teachers it needs for the future. 

“When we invest in teachers, we invest in our workforce, our communities, and our economy. The Tiger Teacher Corps represents one of the most powerful long-term economic development strategies our state can make,” Mitchell said.