Building the Future: LSU’s GeauxTeach STEM Program Prepares Educators for Louisiana’s Classrooms
October 02, 2025
More than half of states face a shortage of STEM teachers, a challenge felt mostly in high-need, low-income schools, according to the U.S. Department of Education. Louisiana is no exception, with the greatest demand in math and science classrooms.
LSU’s GeauxTeach program is helping fill that gap by preparing students with the skills to become the state’s next generation of teachers, giving them the chance to receive two degrees, a bachelor's degree and a secondary teaching certificate, in only four years.
Students interested in sciences, technology, engineering, or math can pursue an undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry, mathematics, or physics and earn secondary teaching certification at the same time through GeauxTeach STEM.
To further support future educators, the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program gives students majoring in biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics—who commit to teaching in high-need school districts—the ability to receive up to $20,000 per year during their junior and senior years. The scholarship eases financial pressures, allowing students to focus on their studies and develop into STEM teachers.
Four GeauxTeach students shared what inspires them, why they chose this path, and how they hope to make an impact in classrooms across the state.
Owanaemi Bestman
Owanaemi Bestman
– Photos by Katherine Seghers
Q: How do you feel about entering the teaching field during a national STEM teacher
shortage?
Teachers are just as important as any other profession. Without teachers, how would
anyone be inspired to become a doctor, lawyer, artist, or scientist? It inspires me
to know I’m helping shape the next generation of professionals and leaders.
Q: How has your perspective on teaching changed since joining GeauxTeach?
Completely. I used to think teaching was just standing in front of a class and delivering
a lesson. It’s so much more than that. It’s about building bonds, being a mentor,
and having a real impact on students’ lives. It feels fulfilling in a way I never
expected.
Q: Why do you think programs like GeauxTeach matter to Louisiana?
Louisiana needs more teachers who are committed to its students. Even though I’m from
Texas, I see the importance of staying here and helping Louisiana students believe
they can have a future.
Q: Are you planning to stay in Louisiana to teach?
Yes. I have accepted a job in East Baton Rouge. I already have a connection with the
students and staff from my internship, and I didn’t want to start over somewhere new.
Having that support in my first year of teaching is important.
Tailenn Fungcharoen-McCray
Tailenn Fungcharoen-McCray
Q: How has the Noyce Scholarship helped you?
I've had to work two jobs while being a full-time student. This scholarship helps
pay for my education which is a wave of relief because I can just fully commit to
what it is that I'm here to do: which is to be a student, and then just pour more
into who I will be as a teacher.
Q: Louisiana has a great need for STEM teachers. How do you feel about making an impact
in this area?
I think it always starts with one person. Every school in Louisiana is listed as a
high-need district. For me, it’s about encouraging students—even those who don’t think
they’re good at math—that they can find a community in my classroom. It starts there,
and what students do beyond that is up to them. I don’t just see myself as a teacher,
but as a mentor and supporter in all areas of their lives. GeauxTeach really prepares
you for that.
Q: Has there been a particularly rewarding moment so far?
This past semester, I lost my mother. GeauxTeach became such a strong community for
me during that time. My classmates supported me, kept me updated with notes, and my
master teachers encouraged me when I needed it most. It reminded me that as educators,
we become part of our students’ “village”—and I was fortunate to experience that kind
of village myself.
Q: How does LSU prepare you for the classroom and for the future?
LSU has such a strong academic reputation, and GeauxTeach builds on that by training
us to be well-rounded educators. If you want to teach in Louisiana, you’re guaranteed
opportunities here.
Grant Gautreau
Grant Gautreau
Q: What inspired you to become an educator?
Definitely the educators I had in high school, especially my math teachers. One of
them tutored me in calculus and still keeps in touch with me today. He and others
were always looking out for me, and I wanted to be that kind of influence for students.
Q: How has the GeauxTeach program prepared you to become a STEM teacher in Louisiana?
We go into local area middle and high schools throughout our classes. You get to see
kind of different perspectives, different areas of the city and how that affects everything
from the supplies that they have in their classrooms to some of the behaviors that
you'll see. It helps me view education more as a whole.
Q: How has the Noyce Scholarship helped you?
Before the Noyce Scholarship, I was working full-time to pay my bills. But the Noyce
Scholarship has definitely enabled me to work a lot less, so I can focus more on my
academics and actually work on being a student. It's an incredible lift of the financial
burden from me.
Q: What’s the value of GeauxTeach STEM and the Noyce program for Louisiana?
I would say that it's because we go back into the classrooms whenever we're done with
school. Because once you graduate, you have a service requirement of the Noyce Scholarship
to teach in a high needs school district. They want well-trained educators in high
needs school districts and they're giving us the training and they're pushing us into
these school districts that need us.
Amyya Paden
Amyya Payden
Q: What inspired you to become a teacher?
My ninth-grade geometry teacher inspired me to become a teacher. She showed me I could
keep pursuing my passion for math while also earning a teaching certificate. She encouraged
me to find a program that gave me the same opportunity she had—and that led me to
GeauxTeach.
Q: How has the Noyce Scholarship helped you?
Honestly, I love it. I don’t come from a wealthy household, so I had to provide for
myself in college—food, bills, apartment costs. The Noyce Scholarship allowed me to
focus on my classes without having to stress about working multiple jobs. It gave
me stability and let me succeed academically.
Q: There’s a national shortage of STEM teachers. How does it feel to be preparing
to make a difference?
STEM teachers are really scarce right now. Even my small amount of knowledge that
I've been able to gain would be impactful to anybody. I’ve already seen the difference
I can make through tutoring, and I’m excited to experience that on a larger scale.
Q: What kind of community have you found through GeauxTeach and Noyce?
Before joining, I wasn’t very social. I only really talked to my two roommates. But
now I have friends I hang out with outside of class. It’s helped me come out of my
shell, and I never would’ve found these connections without the program.
Next Steps
Let LSU put you on a path to success! With 330+ undergraduate programs, 70 master's programs, and over 50 doctoral programs, we have a degree for you.