Louisiana
Louisiana’s teacher shortage: School leaders identify problems and solutions
BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Teachers are still feeling the effects of the pandemic years later, contributing to reduced retention rates and the teacher shortage in Louisiana and across the country.
Charity Leblanc, school-to-work coordinator and Union representative at Salmen High School in St. Tammany Parish, says time is one of the biggest factors contributing to teacher stress.
“I dealt with some things this morning that someone didn’t get done in a timely manner, kind of fell on me, I had to take care of it at the last minute. If there was a better way and a better system for that, it would’ve worked itself out,” Leblanc said.
According to the National Education Association, 80% of teachers report having to take on extra tasks to make up for staffing shortages.
Leblanc says the extra tasks coupled with a lack of support causes teachers to reach a breaking point.
“Everybody has 50 things to do, and trying to manage all of that is very difficult,” Leblanc said. “I’ve seen people leave in a couple of months because this is not what they thought it was.”
East Baton Rouge Parish Schools Chief of Human Resources Dr. Nichola Hall suggests having additional in-classroom staff could take some tasks off teacher’s plates.
“They just want to be teachers, they just want to teach and nurture folks to be successful, so if anything, I could do from that lens, that would be the biggest impact is how much more support can we put, physical support in the classroom,” Dr. Hall said.
With all the burdens placed on teachers, Dr. Hall emphasizes the importance of uplifting teachers. East Baton Rouge School System is hosting its annual Spring Fling Recruitment Fair on Saturday.
“Part of the celebration is recognizing, so tomorrow at Spring Fling, we will have a fitness instructor there to work us out, smoothies will be on deck, along with yogurt,” Dr. Hall said.
Dr. Hall hopes more gestures like these will remind teachers of their impact on the next generation.
East Baton Rouge Parish School System’s Spring Fling Recruitment Fair is Saturday, April 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jefferson Terrace Academy, 5601 Upton Drive.
Applicants should bring a resume, reference letters, official transcripts, and certifications. To register, click here.
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Louisiana
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When it comes to retiring, the best places to do so often are affordable, have a high quality of life and access to quality healthcare.
If you’re looking for a place to retire, Niche has identified the best places for retirees in Louisiana.
In its list, Niche has taken into account factors like weather, crime rates, housing costs and access to amenities.
The 5 best places to retire in Louisiana according to Niche
These are the top five best places to retire in Louisiana, according to Niche.
1. Oak Hills Place
Oak Hills Place is a suburb of Baton Rouge and is the overall best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb, located in East Baton Rouge Parish, has a population of 9,038 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. The area is highly rated for families, diversity, as well as health and fitness. Here, the median home value is $437,900 and the median rent is $1,422, according to Niche.
2. Westminster
Westminster is another suburb of Baton Rouge and is the second-best place to retire in Louisiana. Located in East Baton Rouge Parish, this suburb has a population of 2,559 and offers residents an urban suburban mix feel. This area is highly rated for nightlife, diversity, families, health and fitness, as well as commute. The median home value here is $266,100 and the median rent is $1,482, says Niche.
3. River Ridge
River Ridge is a suburb of New Orleans, located in Jefferson Parish, and is the third-best place to retire in Louisiana. This suburb has a population of 13,312 and offers residents a dense suburban feel. The area is highly rated for public schools, family, nightlife and diversity. The median home value is $357,400 and the median rent is $1,127, according to Niche.
4. Westlake
Westlake is a town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. With a population of 4,743, this town offers residents a rural feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, jobs, cost of living, nightlife and weather. Here, the median home value is $166,100 and the median rent is $1,049, says Niche.
5. Prien
Prien is another town in Calcasieu Parish that is among the best places to retire in Louisiana. This town has a population of 7,119 and offers residents a suburban rural mix feel. The town is highly rated for public schools, housing, families, nightlife and weather. The median home value here is $278,000 and the median rent is $1,292, according to Niche.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team reporter for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
A motorcyclist is recovering after a West Monroe crash involving an 18-wheeler, while Chevron won a Louisiana Supreme Court ruling shifting a major coastal lawsuit back to lower courts. Ouachita deputies arrested a suspect and recovered more than a dozen guns, Mississippi passed a new school social-media safety requirement, and Louisiana’s House advanced a unanimous state budget. A new recovery center opened, and multiple weekend events are underway across northeast Louisiana, plus national updates include stock-market stress guidance, a Ford F-150 recall, Spirit Airlines uncertainty, and tax-refund tips.
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