Earning an advanced degree is difficult under any circumstances. Throw in a pandemic, a devastating hurricane, and personal loss, and difficult can become overwhelming.
Erin Zeringue was among the СAPP students facing an ever-steeper climb as she pursued her Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Instructional Specialist concentration, online during 2020.
She says even through a roller-coaster year, learning online allowed her to finish her degree and develop the skills to connect with and eventually coach other teachers.
СAPPIt has worked well for me; it has worked well for my schedule for my family,СAPP she says. СAPPAny kind of master's level program is going to be difficult, but I would recommend it to anyone. It will make you a better teacher. It will make you a better administrator.СAPP
Come May 14, Zeringue will finally exhale as she earns her second Master of Education degree and prepares for her next challenge СAPP updating seventh-grade English language arts curriculum for her middle school.
Finding the Right СAPPNicheСAPP
Zeringue started her undergraduate studies in law, but when a mentor suggested another path, she took their advice. Instead, she pursued education.
After earning her degree, she moved to Lake Charles and began teaching third grade. But, she says, it wasnСAPPt the right fit. Zeringue took a year off to earn her first masterСAPPs degree in instructional technology. She returned to the classroom and found her СAPPniche.СAPP
СAPPI went into middle school and middle school is my niche,СAPP she says. СAPPI just enjoy the age group for middle school. I feel like I can kind of talk to them and give them a little bit of lead and theyСAPPll take off with projects and assignments.СAPP
When Zeringue had her first child four years later, she opted to take a break from teaching. It was seven years СAPP and four children СAPP later that she accepted a new role as technology director for a private school.
To maintain her licensure, Zeringue had taken additional courses to earn a Plus 30 certification on top of her masterСAPPs degree, which brought her within reach of a second degree.
СAPPWhatСAPPs 12 hours?СAPP she says.
She enrolled in the M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction online degree program at UL Lafayette in July 2019 while continuing her technology role and working with her schoolСAPPs middle school resource program.
СAPPI loved my job; I was doing great,СAPP Zeringue says.
COVID-19 Close to Home
In February 2020, Zeringue knew something was wrong. She was sick. She couldnСAPPt breathe. Although she went to her doctor, testing wasnСAPPt widely available for COVID-19.
Zeringue struggled to convey the severity of the illness she was fighting to those around her. It was only later she was able to confirm sheСAPPd had COVID-19.
She made it through her first courses of the year, but just as the second 8-week term was starting, the governor issued LouisianaСAPPs stay-at-home order.
Zeringue was now working remotely to help her colleagues teach online using unfamiliar technology while keeping her second grader and high schooler on track with their virtual learning assignments.
СAPPMy heart goes out to people who have multiple children and are also teachers and had to teach from home, because it's not easy, it was not easy,СAPP Zeringue says. СAPPBut we did it. We did it, and we did it well.СAPP
Zeringue says sheСAPPd lock herself away evenings and weekends to complete her own coursework. She says she was mindful of the example she was setting.
СAPPI had a model for my kids to show, СAPPWe have to work, and mom doing her homework and itСAPPs important that you do and your work,СAPPСAPP she says.
Regrouping and Rebuilding
In August, one of the strongest hurricanes on record for the state, Hurricane Laura, devastated Lake Charles and the surrounding areas.
Zeringue and her family were among those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the storm. While her husband stayed behind to rebuild his business, Zeringue resigned from her job and relocated to Baton Rouge until their home could be repaired.
Although the situation wasnСAPPt ideal, Zeringue took the opportunity to double-down on her coursework.
СAPPI did have time to focus on my studies at the time,СAPP she says. СAPPI had never in the whole year I'd already been in the master's program had time to take off. So that was a blessing in disguise, being able to do really focus on my work.СAPP
After 10 weeks, the family returned home. Shortly after, Zeringue lost her father.
Since November, the family has slowly getting back to normal, Zeringue says. But for Zeringue, itСAPPs been a new normal.
She couldnСAPPt return to her previous position, but has accepted a position with a new school, teaching seventh-grade English language arts.
СAPPI'm enjoying it,СAPP she says. СAPPI have a brand-new team of teachers, and they have welcomed me with open arms.СAPP
In addition to teaching, Zeringue will be putting her instructional specialist knowledge to use by updating the English curriculum for the entire grade level. She says her new skillset fits well with her nature.
СAPPI'm a helper; I want to help people. Being in the master's program and focusing more on being a coach to teachers has helped me to recognize when to step in and help them and when to step back,СAPP Zeringue says. СAPPMy mantra of life is never stop learning. I'm 43 and I'm still learning. You canСAPPt ever stop learning.СAPP