Louisiana Department of Education Aspiring Educator Summer Academy
July 13th - 17th, 2026
Eligibility | How to Register | LSU Experience | What to Expect | Frequently Asked Questions | Contact Us
The Louisiana Aspiring Educators Summer Academy is a free, one-of-a-kind, five-day hybrid of a summer camp and a professional learning experience for high school students enrolled in the Louisiana Pre-Educator Pathway or other coursework aimed at attracting and developing future Louisiana educators.
Hosted by the Louisiana Department of Education and staffed by a team of advisors and coaches from around the state, the Aspiring Educators Summer Academy will bring together 100 aspiring educators from around the state for a high-energy, professional leadership experience that propels them on their pathway to becoming highly effective, educators in our state at no cost to them.
The goals behind the Louisiana Aspiring Educators Summer Academy are to:
- continue to build skills and knowledge to become a highly effective educator,
- develop steps to increase leadership skills,
- network and build a community amongst other Louisiana aspiring educators.
Geaux Teach: Shape the Future in the Heart of Tiger Nation
High School Students
- Up to 100 Aspiring Educators from around the state. You must currently be enrolled in a pre-educator pathway course or are registered for a course for the upcoming year.
Staff
- 20 college coaches: Aspiring Educators from around the state enrolled in a teacher preparation program, including those who may graduate Spring 2026.
- 10 advisors: current classroom teachers, professors or other practicing educators.
How to Register
Participants
- Students can self nominate or be nominated by a Pre-Educator Pathway Teacher or System Leader.
- All students will be required to obtain a teacher recommendation upon acceptance into the academy.
- Teacher Leaders, please ensure students you nominate are aware you are nominating them.
- Aspiring Educators from around the state enrolled in a Teacher Preparation Program, including those graduating spring 2026 may apply for coaching staff.
- Teaching Professionals with teacher of record experience for 1 or more years are eligible to apply.
- All staffing positions are paid.
Registration Process
- Once the interest form is submitted, students will be contacted by academy staff to provide a valid email address for teacher recommendation.
- Once teacher recommendation is received, students will be invited to register for LDOE Aspiring Educators Summer Academy.
- You will receive an email from LDOE Aspiring Educators Summer Academy account that has the link to the Cvent registration website and a registration link.
- To start the registration, click "Student" and you are ready to get started. it will only take a couple of minutes to complete.
- You must agree to data and photo release statements in order to complete registration.
Registration forms include:
- Camper Health History
- This is the most important form for Academy attendance.
- Download, print, complete pages 1 and 2 and make arrangements with your healthcare provider to complete pages 3 and 4.
- Student Registration Waivers
- Statement of Emergency Authorization & Waiver
- Parent/Guardian Authorization Program Staff to Hold and Dispense Medication to Program Participant
- Behavior Expectations
- Transportation Waiver
- Vehicle Expectations
- LSU Housing Key Card Agreement
- Camper Health History
- Once completed, you can email to chseproed@lsu.edu or turn it in during camp arrival.
Culture of Champions: The LSU Experience
Live in Cypress Hall
Aspiring educators will get to spend the week in Cypress Hall, the residential college for the College of Human Sciences & Education. With comfortable suite-style living, shared community spaces and easy access to dining and campus activities, Cypress Hall gives students the opportunity to experience college life while building connections with future educators from across Louisiana. The residential experience is designed to provide a safe, welcoming and engaging environment for all participants throughout the academy.
Dine in The 459 Commons
During the academy, students will enjoy meals at The 459 Commons, LSU’s all-you-care-to-eat dining hall located in the heart of campus. With a variety of meal options offered throughout the day, The 459 Commons provides a convenient and welcoming space for students to gather, connect with peers and experience daily life as an LSU student. The dining experience is designed to accommodate a range of tastes and dietary needs while helping students feel at home on campus.
Thrive in Tiger Nation
Throughout the LDOE Aspiring Educators Summer Academy, students will experience life on LSU’s campus through a variety of activities around campus. Participants will spend time at the LSU Student Recreation Center and Greek Amphitheater while also exploring iconic LSU landmarks and academic spaces that help shape the student experience. Students may have opportunities to visit places such as Tiger Stadium, Mike the Tiger’s habitat, the Dairy Store, Peabody Hall and Huey P. Long Field House, giving them a firsthand look at campus traditions, student life and the learning environment at LSU.
Aspiring Educators in Action
| Time | Activity | Description |
| 8:00 - 8:45 AM | Breakfast & Huddle | Prepare for the day! |
| 9:00 - 11:00 AM | Clinical Experiences | Gain professional experience working with students enrolled in local camps and school settings. |
| 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | Lunch & Debrief | Reflect on clinical experiences. |
| 12:45 - 4:45 PM | Professional Learning Workshops | Learn from LSU faculty and other educators in interactive workshops. |
| 5:00 - 5:45 PM | Dinner | Network with other groups. |
| 6:00 - 6:45 PM | Recharge | Rest and prepare for social event. |
| 7:00 - 9:30 PM | Social Event | Nightly social events on and off campus. |
| 10:00 PM | Lights Out | Return to dorm rooms. |
Professional Learning Workshops
Students will prepare a portfolio to include a learning demonstration in the following topics:
- Arts Integration by Louisiana A+ Schools at LSU
- Instruction & Learners
- Literacy
- STEM
- Exceptional Students
- Early Childhood
- Real Classrooms & the Future
- Classroom Management
- Teacher Wellness
- Ed Tech
- AI
Clinical Experiences
Students participating in the LDOE Aspiring Educators Summer Academy will work with children ages 4–12 in a variety of locations both on and off the LSU campus. Placement opportunities will be based on availability and participant preferences and may include both academic and recreational experiences. All students selected for placements will be required to attend training, which will be provided on Monday, July 13.
Night Life Activities
Expectations
Parents
- Read and respond to emails from Summer Academy staff.
- Make sure students arrive and are picked up up on time.
- Encourage students to participate, be respectful and follow academy rules.
- Notify staff about illnesses, emergencies, absences or concerns.
- Support student independence and responsibility during the academy.
- Communicate respectfully with staff, mentores and other families.
- Partner with staff to help create a safe, positive and successful experience for all students.
Students
- Complete the required training for clinical experiences.
- Use technology at appropriate times.
- Adhere to the camp and clinical experience site dress code.
- Actively participate in camp activities with a positive attitude and professional curiosity.
- Commit to following all LSU and camp guidelines and expectations.
- LSU Student Code of Conduct
- LSU Housing Agreement
- Camp Behavior Contract
- Camp Roommate Agreement
Safety and Security
- All staff undergo background checks, LSU Youth Protection Training and Louisiana Mandated Reporter Training.
- Students will travel in groups with at least one staff and another student at all times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely nothing! This weeklong experience is free for high school students to attend.
- Inform your Pre-Educator Pathway Teacher or Pre-Educator Club Sponsor about your interest in attending.
- Complete the interest form.
- Teacher leaders should share the opportunity with strong aspiring educator candidates that possess the characteristics described above.
- System leads can use the application to register one participant and up to five alternates from each high school that offers Pre-Educator Pathway coursework. After submitting the nomination form, systems will be responsible for ensuring aspiring educators, parents/guardians, and teacher leaders remain informed of next steps.
- In addition to registering one student per high school, each school that offers the Louisiana Pre-Educator Pathway will have the opportunity to nominate up to five alternates to be considered for the remaining Academy spots.
- The Summer Academy team will review the applications for all alternates submitted by school systems through the nomination form.
- School system leads, teacher leaders, and alternatives will receive an email with next steps as alternates are selected to attend.
- Coaches - College students that are currently enrolled or recently graduated in a Louisiana teacher preparation program and/or college/university or with a demonstrated interest and skill in mentorship, service, and leadership will be considered to serve as coaches.
- Advisors - Currently practicing exemplary educators with a specific interest and demonstrated skills in teaching, teacher mentorship, and aspiring teacher development will serve as advisors during the academy.
- For more details related to being considered for academy staff, refer to the 2025 Louisiana Summer Academy Staffing Description. The application for both can be found here.
Personal Items
Clothing
- Shoes: tennies shoes and slippers
- 5-7 casual summer outfits for day and night events
- T-shirts will be provided/worn Tuesday-Friday while working with children’s camps
- Light jacket or sweatshirt
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit
Bathroom & Personal Care Toiletries
- Personal toiletries
- Shower shoes/rubber flip flops
Weather & Outdoor Items
- Sunglasses
- Hat
- Rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Beach towel
- Refillable water bottle
Electronics
- Phone
- Phone charger
- Headphones/earbuds
Bags & Storage
- Personal tote or backpack for activities
- Plastic bag for wet/dirty clothes
Needed for Campus Life
Linens
- Twin XL bedding (sheets, blanket, pillow)
- Bath towels and washcloths (4 nights)
Entertainment & Downtime
- Book, journal, etc
- Personal spending money (bookstore, coffee/snacks on campus)
Snacks
- Granola or protein bars
- Chips or pretzels
- Trail mix or nuts
- Fruit snacks
- Bottled water or sports drinks
Professional Learning
- Notebook
- Pen/pencils
Other
- Room and door decorations (optional but encouraged)
- Label all items
Contact Us
Eugene Kennedy, PhD
Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Institutional Effectiveness
ekennedy@lsu.edu