“Letter to Editor: Fueling education through regional collaboration”

“Letter to Editor: Fueling education through regional collaboration

As students across Southwest Louisiana return to school this fall, there’s an unmistakable sense of optimism in the air — new supplies, fresh faces, and the promise of another year filled with growth and opportunity. But what may not be as visible to parents and students is what happened before the first bell rang: a summer investment in teacher development that will benefit classrooms across our region for years to come.

This summer, educators from several rural parishes came together for an intensive professional development program focused on building capacity in STEM education. Hosted by Sowela Technical Community College and supported by partners like ExxonMobil and Rice University’s Tapia Center, the training gave teachers the time, space, and support to sharpen their instructional strategies, explore new concepts, and return to their classrooms energized and equipped.”