<div class="Content"><p class="indent">The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education recently approved the creation of two new state credentials for classroom teachers who serve as mentors or curriculum leaders within their schools. The new certifications, Mentor Teacher and Content Leader, will count, in part, towards the requirements necessary to obtain the educational leadership certification potentially leading towards a principal career trajectory.</p><p class="indent">Through state educational initiatives like Believe and Prepare, district professional development events and college level preparation programs, Louisiana has actively sought to improve its teacher preparation and support in an effort to better align with its increasing academic standards. Much of this work is carried out by teachers, who, up until now, have been primarily recognized only by their peers and individual district leadership. The new, official credentials recognize the expertise of individual teacher leaders and also provides them with career advancement possibilities.</p><p class="indent">Lake Charles Charter Schools Director of Education Sabrah Kingham said formalizing the role that teacher leaders play in a school setting will help attract new leaders to the profession and will also positively impact teacher retention and recruitment. The charter schools currently have two mentor teachers and six content leaders at its three locations.</p><p class="indent">The Calcasieu Parish School Board currently employs 53 mentor teachers and content leaders.</p><p class="indent">Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus called the new credentials “a win for all involved” as mentor and content leader training involves collaboration between district, college and state level education specialists.</p><p class="indent">Mentor teachers support aspiring teachers who are currently enrolled in a collegiate or post-baccalaureate teacher certification program.</p><p class="indent">Content leaders deliver professional development to their peers in line with district level best practices and state academic standards.</p><p class="indent">Both positions are generally granted to teachers who have proven records of success according to teacher competency rubrics and require hours of additional training at district and state seminars. Possession of the Mentor Teacher or Content Leader certificate will account for 40 percent of the experiential requirements for an Educational Leadership Certificate, which is the credential needed to become an assistant principal or principal.</p></div>MGN Education