Teachers across the country are advocating for changes that would enable them to perform their duties more effectively, such as having sufficient planning time and support for their overall well-being.
In Louisiana, the Department of Education has taken a proactive approach to address these challenges by convening a group of teachers to propose solutions. The Let Teachers Teach workgroup presented their recommendations in May, offering a range of suggestions to improve areas such as professional development, student discipline, and the art of teaching.
Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley views teaching as a pedagogical science that requires an artistic delivery. He acknowledges that many teachers feel constrained by bureaucratic processes or inadequate leadership, leading them to feel more like robots than professionals.
The 18 recommendations put forth by the workgroup highlight the challenges faced by teachers, including the need for tailored professional development plans and increased collaboration and planning time. One specific recommendation emphasizes the removal of excessively disruptive students from classrooms and providing alternative education for ungovernable students.
While some critics argue against exclusionary discipline practices, post-pandemic realities have highlighted the pressing need for new solutions to address escalating student behaviors.
Several of the recommendations have already been enacted into laws during Louisiana’s spring legislative session. These include laws that mandate the removal of disruptive students at a teacher’s request and protect teachers from retaliation. Additionally, measures such as banning cellphone use in schools and providing extra pay for non-academic teacher duties have been introduced.
The goal of the recommendations is to strengthen the teaching profession and prioritize student outcomes. Teachers are encouraged to have more autonomy in delivering content, allowing them to leverage their expertise and creativity in the classroom.
Despite support from key figures like Superintendent Brumley and Governor Jeff Landry, Louisiana’s education landscape is not without its challenges. Low earning potential and lack of permanent pay raises raise concerns among educators. Moreover, cultural conflicts, such as the state’s legal battles over transgender student rights, pose additional strains on teachers.
