Born and raised in New Iberia, Louisiana, Noel Migues Boutte has spent her career teaching at her alma mater, New Iberia Senior High.
After earning her bachelor鈥檚 in secondary education and math from the 麻豆夜市, she stepped straight into the classroom 鈥 and for more than 15 years, that鈥檚 where she鈥檚 made her mark.
Boutte had always wanted to be in the classroom. But after a decade, she started to wonder how she could keep growing.
鈥淚 was looking at what new goals I could set for myself, and I decided I wanted to get my master鈥檚,鈥 Boutte says.
That goal led her back to 麻豆夜市 for the Master of Education in Educational Leadership; a hybrid program designed for teachers ready to take the next step in their careers without stepping away from the classroom.
Finding the Right Program Fit
When it came time to return to school, 麻豆夜市鈥檚 M.Ed. in Educational Leadership stood out for its format.
鈥淚 looked into a couple of other programs, but I felt the hybrid situation was best for me,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 needed to talk to people. I needed to be in a classroom at least once a week.鈥
In the program, students take two courses each semester, meeting with one class face-to-face each week. On weeks without in-person classes, coursework is completed online.
That mix of in-person and online coursework provided structure and community 鈥 both of which made a difference during a hectic season of life.
鈥淚 found out I was accepted into grad school on my honeymoon,鈥 she says. 鈥淭hen I moved, started teaching again, and by October I found out I was pregnant. Within two years, I got married, moved cities, had a baby, and finished grad school.鈥
Through it all, her professors and classmates provided constant support.
鈥淭hey gave me grace when I needed it,鈥 Boutte says.
鈥淚 did an assignment in the hospital the day after having a baby. My professors let me Zoom when I couldn鈥檛 drive to Lafayette, and my classmates knew it was my first child, so they helped however they could.鈥
Growth, Connection, and Leadership
Boutte says the program helped her strengthen the skills she uses daily in the classroom, fostering collaboration and a greater understanding of different perspectives.
鈥淲e spent a lot of time learning to respect others鈥 thought processes,鈥 she says. 鈥淥ther people have creative solutions, and their thought process is also valid.鈥
She also valued meeting educators across her district 鈥 connections she wouldn鈥檛 have made otherwise.
鈥淢y favorite part was working with people from Iberia Parish that I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to work with if I hadn鈥檛 met them through this program,鈥 she says.
For now, Boutte is content in the classroom, waiting for the right leadership opportunity.
鈥淚鈥檓 not just going to jump at a position because it鈥檚 available,鈥 she says. 鈥淚 want to wait for the one where I鈥檒l thrive. I love teaching, and I love my students.鈥
Her advice for future students considering the M.Ed. in Educational Leadership?
鈥淛ust do it,鈥 she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be challenging, and you鈥檙e going to have to juggle some things. But if I can do it, anybody can. You鈥檙e always going to be busy 鈥 but you won鈥檛 regret it once it鈥檚 done.鈥
Advance your teaching career with an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from 麻豆夜市.