In a time when schools nationwide grapple with a persistent teacher shortage, future educators are finding a much-needed boost from hands-on experiences that not only build classroom expertise but also forge vital local connections. At Louisiana Tech University’s College of Education and Human Sciences (CEHS), the Clinical Residency and Recruitment Center (CRRC) hosts an annual Mid-Year Recruitment event that brings juniors and seniors face-to-face with school districts across Louisiana.
The event has become a transformative stepping stone for many education majors, offering them a firsthand look at the professional landscape they are about to enter. Caroline Broussard, a Calhoun Middle School resident, credits her residency experience, an expansion of traditional student teaching, with providing the kind of practical insight that no textbook can match.
I have learned so much throughout this past year in my residency. I now know the emotional, physical, and mental toll it takes to be a teacher, and I feel prepared moving forward in my teaching journey.
– Caroline Broussard
At Kingston Elementary School, resident Savanna Brickner echoed those sentiments. “This program has allowed me to get my foot in the door and have the experience I need,” she said. “My future has progressed in a different way that’s putting me ahead in my career.”
Louisiana school districts continue to recognize the value of the CRRC program. Dr. Tracey Burrell, recruitment and retention supervisor for Bossier Parish Schools, noted that the partnership with Louisiana Tech serves as a key pipeline for new teachers. “We have been very pleased with the educators that Louisiana Tech University produces,” she said. “Our district sees this as a viable pipeline to meet the newest teachers in Louisiana, and we will continue to be a part.”
Louisiana Tech alumna Alexandria Feaster, now principal of Homer High School, stressed the importance of the program’s hands-on preparation. “These young adults are hungry for an opportunity in education — whether that’s as a coach, sponsor, department head, or content leader,” she said. “Graduating from this program gave me a significant edge in my career. The hands-on preparation I received during my residency set me up for success and is the foundation of where I am today.”
Dr. Amy Vessel, director of the CRRC, summed up the program’s impact. “This is their reality check,” she said. “By networking with surrounding districts, these students are able to have a vision and a plan early enough to secure a job before graduation.”
As the teacher shortage continues to strain districts across the country, the CRRC proves essential in preparing a new generation of educators ready to lead classrooms with fresh perspectives and innovative strategies.
