Inspired to Teach: An LSU Student’s Journey Through Tiger Teacher Corps

At LSU, future educators aren’t just learning about teaching—they’re stepping into classrooms and preparing to lead them. Through the Tiger Teacher Corps, students gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and professional development designed to strengthen Louisiana’s teacher pipeline and prepare the next generation of educators.

For elementary education major and College of Human Sciences & Education ambassador Kaitlyn LaCoste, the program has provided real-world insight into today’s classrooms while helping her grow more confident in her calling to teach. In this Q&A, she shares how growing up around educators shaped her passion for teaching, what she’s learned through the Tiger Teacher Corps, and why preparing strong teachers is more important than ever for Louisiana’s future.

What inspired you to pursue elementary education?

Growing up, I was always surrounded by educators. My mom was one of my principals, and my sister has also become an educator. Being around that environment shaped me in so many ways and gave me a deep appreciation for teaching from an early age. Seeing my mom balance her role as a principal and as a mom inspired me and showed me the power of dedication, care, and making a difference in children’s lives. I’ve also had many teachers who inspired me in different ways through their patience, creativity, and encouragement. Those experiences planted the seed for my passion for teaching. More than anything, I want to be the teacher I wish I had: someone who sees each student’s potential, listens to them, and helps them feel confident in themselves.

What is the Tiger Teacher Corps? What made you want to be part of the program?

The Tiger Teacher Corps is a program that prepares aspiring teachers through hands-on classroom experience, mentorship, and professional development. I wanted to join because it goes beyond theory. It gives me the chance to step into classrooms, learn from experienced teachers, and build practical skills that will make me an effective educator from day one. Since it just launched this past year, I was excited to be part of something new and impactful, helping strengthen Louisiana’s teacher pipeline while developing my own teaching skills.

How has the program prepared you for the realities of today’s classrooms in ways traditional coursework alone cannot?

College coursework gives you theory and practice exercises, but being in the classroom this year through the Tiger Teacher Corps has shown me realities that you just can’t learn from textbooks alone. One big thing I’ve noticed is how much schools and districts rely on technology. Students are often learning on computers, but it’s not always effective, as so much of it is reading on a screen, and it doesn’t engage students in the way in-person interaction does. This has shown me that in my own classroom, I want to balance technology with hands-on, interactive learning rather than rely solely on computer-based instruction.

The program has also prepared me in ways coursework can’t; like how to interact with students, manage behavior, and create a classroom environment that works. Coursework is often just for us completing assignments or doing mock exercises, but Tiger Teacher Corps puts you in real classrooms where you see what really works and what challenges teachers face every day. It’s given me practical skills, confidence, and a clear vision for how I want my future classroom to run.

Why is the Tiger Teacher Corps so important right now for strengthening Louisiana’s teacher pipeline?

Louisiana faces a real need for strong, dedicated teachers, and programs like Tiger Teacher Corps are essential for meeting that demand. It creates a pipeline of teachers who are prepared, supported, and ready to make a difference from day one. By equipping teachers with skills, mentorship, and hands-on classroom experience, the program ensures that students across the state have access to high-quality education.

As a student leader and ambassador, how do you explain the value of the Tiger Teacher Corps, and how has participating shaped your confidence and vision for your future classroom?

I would tell prospective students that the Tiger Teacher Corps is more than a program; it’s a community of educators. It’s a space where like-minded people come together, support one another, and learn from each other because as a teacher, you can’t do it all alone.

Through the program, I’ve leaned on my peers for guidance on lesson planning, annotating lesson plans, and stepping into classrooms to teach actual lessons. This support has helped me feel more confident, especially as I approach a full year of student teaching.

One of the biggest ways the program has shaped me is by helping me overcome nerves with whole-group lessons. I no longer feel anxious about standing in front of a class; instead, I embrace my role as the teacher I want to be. For example, I recently led a hands-on lesson where students worked with sand to explore different types of sand while connecting it to a simulator showing how landforms change over time. Getting that whole-group experience has strengthened my confidence and clarified the kind of classroom I want to create, an engaging, interactive, and encouraging exploration.

The program has also shaped my vision for my classroom by showing me how students think, act, and learn differently. I’ve learned that some students need extra support, and Tiger Teacher Corps has taught me how to embed differentiation so that every student can succeed. Being able to adapt lessons to meet each learner’s needs through scaffolding, hands-on opportunities, or individualized guidance has prepared me to create a classroom where every student can thrive.

If I had to explain it, I would say being a teacher isn’t about the money, it’s about the lasting impact you make in students’ lives. As a CHSE ambassador and member of the Tiger Teacher Corps, we believe in changing lives. We might not always get financial rewards, but the opportunity to positively influence students each day is far more meaningful. Small moments, like a student calling out, “Miss LaCoste!” during Mardi Gras break, remind me that we are making a difference even before becoming full educators.

I also love that LSU has us in classrooms from day one, even before the program had this official name. 

“ Being in the classroom early has deepened my love for teaching and shown me firsthand how meaningful this work truly is. ”

Louisiana faces a critical need for strong, dedicated teachers. Why does a program like Tiger Teacher Corps matter right now?

Programs like Tiger Teacher Corps matter because teachers today often feel underappreciated, yet we play such a critical role in shaping students’ futures. The program reminds educators that we do matter and that the work we do has a lasting impact. Teachers are the foundation for so many careers: doctors, engineers, leaders, and it all starts in the classroom. Tiger Teacher Corps is crucial because it equips and supports teachers to inspire students, helping them pursue big dreams while ensuring they receive the guidance and encouragement needed to succeed.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

The Tiger Teacher Corps staff and LSU professors under the School of Education have truly made a lasting impact on my life. One of the things I love most about the program is the personal connections they build with us. Our teachers aren’t just instructors; they’re mentors who genuinely want us to succeed. That kind of support inspires me and motivates me to grow every day.

For example, last semester, one of my professors gave me a copy of “Because of Winn-Dixie” and shared how it was the first book one of her students learned to read. She connected that story to her own experience as a teacher and also wrote me a card saying, “Thank you for being who you are. You’re going to be a great teacher, and I am so glad I was part of your journey.” Moments like that remind me that mentorship and personal connection are at the heart of teaching, and the Tiger Teacher Corps has given me both guidance and inspiration that I will carry into my own classroom.