High schoolers train to become next generation of teachers with ULM program

Regions Bank supports ULM's Pre-Educator Pathway Program with $30,000 grant

Apr. 2, 2026 at 1:21am

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High school students across northeast Louisiana are learning what it takes to lead a classroom through the University of Louisiana at Monroe's Pre-Educator Pathway Program. Regions Bank is backing the effort with a $30,000 grant that funds mentoring experiences, dual enrollment partnerships, and travel to national conferences for the aspiring teachers.

Why it matters

The program aims to address teacher shortages in the region by inspiring and training the next generation of educators at the high school level. It provides hands-on experience and helps students decide if teaching is the right career path for them.

The details

The Pre-Educator Pathway Program at ULM started seven years ago and has become the standard for the state. High school students in the program observe classrooms, learn about classroom management, and gain mentorship experiences. The Regions Bank grant helps expand the program's reach and support.

  • The 2026 Elevate Education Event was held on April 1 at ULM.
  • Regions Bank has supported the ULM School of Education for the past five years.

The players

University of Louisiana at Monroe (ULM)

A public university located in Monroe, Louisiana that offers the Pre-Educator Pathway Program to high school students across the region.

Regions Bank

A regional bank that has provided a $30,000 grant to support ULM's Pre-Educator Pathway Program, funding mentoring, dual enrollment, and travel opportunities for the aspiring teachers.

Addisyn Duckworth

A high school student at Mangham High School who is participating in the Pre-Educator Pathway Program and is excited about the prospect of becoming a teacher.

Dr. Amy Weems

The associate professor for the ULM School of Education and the lead of the Educator Pathway Program.

Rylie Randolph

A senior at Sterlington High School who has been in the Pre-Educator Pathway Program for three years and has found the classroom observation experiences to be the most impactful.

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What they’re saying

“We learned basically what classroom environment was going to be and how we wanted it to be comfortable and we wanted the kids to be very safe in the classroom.”

— Addisyn Duckworth, High school student

“ULM actually started the Louisiana Pre-Educator Pathway, so we set the standard for the state.”

— Dr. Amy Weems, Associate professor, ULM School of Education

“The impact of the Regions Bank grant is immeasurable, honestly. It helps us to support mentoring that we do with our students who are here. It helps support our pre-educator partnerships for students that are in dual enrollment.”

— Dr. Amy Weems, Associate professor, ULM School of Education

“I've been in this event three times, and I've been in the course for three years. You get the opportunity to go and observe different classes, and I think that was the most impactful.”

— Rylie Randolph, High school senior

“I'm very excited to be a teacher. I really do think that I may go into this field.”

— Addisyn Duckworth, High school student

What’s next

The Pre-Educator Pathway Program at ULM will continue to expand its reach and support for aspiring teachers in the region, with the help of the Regions Bank grant. The program plans to take the high school students to national education conferences to further their training and exposure to the teaching profession.

The takeaway

The Pre-Educator Pathway Program at ULM is playing a crucial role in addressing teacher shortages in northeast Louisiana by inspiring and training the next generation of educators at the high school level. The program's hands-on approach and support from partners like Regions Bank are helping students decide if teaching is the right career path for them.