Let Teachers Teach: Removing Barriers and Refocusing on the Classroom
We invite you to join KSBRC on Tuesday, October 20th at 3:30 PM (CDT) for a conversation with leaders from the Louisiana Department of Education about Let Teachers Teach, a teacher-driven initiative designed to remove unnecessary barriers so teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning.
Launched in 2024, the initiative brought together more than two dozen Louisiana educators to identify practices, requirements, and classroom challenges that were making it more difficult for teachers to do their jobs effectively. Their work resulted in 18 recommendations addressing professional learning, required trainings, student behavior and discipline, non-academic responsibilities, curriculum and instruction, and lesson planning. Those recommendations have since helped shape changes in Louisiana law, state board policy, and Department of Education guidance. Louisiana Department of Education
During the webinar, participants will hear how Louisiana gathered teacher input, translated that feedback into specific recommendations, and moved from recommendations to implementation. The discussion will also give Kansas superintendents and school board members an opportunity to consider a similar question in their own districts: What requirements, policies, or practices could be reconsidered so teachers can spend more time focused on teaching and student learning?
Panelists:
Ashley Townsend serves as Assistant Superintendent for the Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs at the Louisiana Department of Education. During her time with LDOE, she has coordinated efforts across divisions to respond to legislative acts and state board initiatives through student-centered policy development aimed at improving educational outcomes for Louisiana students. Townsend is a National Board Certified Teacher with 19 years of classroom teaching experience across subject areas and grade levels in both Louisiana and Alabama.
Dr. Jenna Chiasson serves the Louisiana Department of Education as Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. During her tenure in this role, Dr. Chiasson led support for educators and families through the pandemic that minimized learning loss and, in some subjects, led to student growth, as measured by NAEP. She has collaborated with policy makers, industry partners, and education leaders to transform early literacy instruction across almost 200 school systems.
Prior to joining the Department, Dr. Chiasson began her career as a high school English teacher in Louisiana. She served as Executive Director of Teaching and Learning for Jefferson Parish Schools, the largest public school system in Louisiana. In this role, Dr. Chiasson led the district-wide adoption of high quality instructional materials, standardized a model for school level teacher coaches, and built sustainable practices in teacher-led professional development. Dr. Chiasson also previously served in other school system roles in St. John the Baptist Parish, leading work in curriculum and instruction, professional development, and school improvement.
Dr. Chiasson earned a Bachelor of Science in English Education from Nicholls State University, a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Reading Specialist from Nicholls State University, and a Doctorate in Education Administration from the University of New Orleans.