Teach Ascension Academy
MINIMUM ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 2.2 or higher
- Passing scores on PRAXIS II Content Series
TEACHER TRAINING:
Candidates that successfully complete the interview process will complete four weeks of intensive professional development.
Sessions during this training will include:
- Classroom Management
- Child and Adolescent Psychology
- Standards-Based Lesson and Unit Planning based on student need and Backwards Design
- Foundational Reading
- Teaching high-poverty students
Candidates will also be given field experience during the summer. Teachers will observe, co-teach, plan, and teach lessons during a summer school program in Ascension Parish. After initial training and internship is completed, candidates will be evaluated to determine readiness for classroom placement in one of the TAP schools.
TRAINING AND SUPPORT DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR
As a teacher in a TAP school, candidates would have the following support and professional development available to them:
- Assistance, support, and follow up by a master teacher at a 1:15 ratio
- Assistance, support, and follow up by a mentor teacher at a 1:10 ratio
- 90 minutes weekly professional development in cluster meetings during the school day
- 90 minutes weekly Professional Learning Community meeting time during the school day
- 3 TAP Evaluations per year with intensive post conference to ensure improvement and growth
- Additional support is provided through a Teach Ascension Master Teacher
CERTIFICATION AREAS
Teach Ascension Academy offers certification in the following content areas:
- Early Childhood Education PK-3
- Elementary Education 1-5
- Middle Grades English 4-8
- Middle Grades Mathematics 4-8
- Middle Grades Science 4-8
- Middle Grades Social Studies 4-8
- Biology (6-12)
- Chemistry (6-12)
- Earth Science (6-12)
- Environmental Science (6-12)
- General Science (6-12)
- Physics (6-12)
- English (6-12)
- Mathematics (6-12)
- Social Studies (6-12)
- Business Education (6-12)
- Mild/Moderate 1-5 / Elementary 1-5
- Mild/Moderate 4-8 / English 4-8
- Mild/Moderate 4-8 / Mathematics 4-8
- Mild/Moderate 4-8 / Science 4-8
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / English 6-12
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / Mathematics 6-12
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / Biology 6-12
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / Chemistry 6-12
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / Earth Science 6-12
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / Environmental Science 6-12
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / General Science 6-12
- Mild/Moderate 6-12 / Physics 6-12
- Agriculture (6-12)
- Family & Consumer Sciences (6-12)
- Technology Education (6-12)
- Foreign Languages (6-12)
- Health and Physical Education (K-12)
Program costs
- Tuition for the program is $4,000. This is comparable to other alternative certification programs in the area. However, there is no out of pocket expense as long as you teach in an Ascension Parish school for two years.
- After teaching one full year in an Ascension Parish school, $2,000 of your tuition will be paid for by APSB.
- After teaching two full years in an Ascension Parish school, an additional $1,000 will be paid for by APSB.
- After teaching three full years in an Ascension Parish school, the remainder of your tuition will be paid for by APSB.
- If you leave the district before the three year commitment is met, you will be responsible for reimbursing the remaining balance of your tuition to APSB.
- Praxis exam fees (paid to ETS) varies depending on the number of exams required for certification area. Individual exams cost @$90-$150 each (passed Praxis exams may be able to be reimbursed depending on title funds).
- $50 application fee for a Practitioner License (paid to the LA DOE), due at the end of summer training
FAQ’S
Do I have to have Praxis exams passed before applying to the program?
- You must have attempted PRAXIS II and receive a passing score or a score within an acceptable range.
What Praxis exam should I take?
- The Praxis exam you take depends on your desired area of certification. Check https://praxis.ets.org/state-requirements/louisiana-tests.html for guidance on which exams should be taken for each certification area.
Am I guaranteed a job in Ascension Parish if accepted into the program?
- No, all participants must secure a position by interviewing with school principals. Last year, 100% of participants secured employment.
Can I teach in any school in Ascension Parish through this program?
- You may only teach in Ascension Parish schools who implement TAP. Currently, this includes: Donaldsonville Primary, Lowery Elementary, Gonzales Primary, Sorrento Primary, Carver Primary, Pecan Grove Primary, Lowery Middle, Gonzales Middle, and Donaldsonville High.
When does initial training take place?
- Initial training is mandatory and takes place during late May - June 2025.
What is the time commitment for Initial Training?
- Initial training is a full time commitment Monday- Friday from 7:30 am- 4:30 pm