Louisiana A+ Schools

You thought she was done, well, that’s not all, folks!

Louisiana A+ Schools is excited to share that Dr. Bethany A. Hager has been appointed Professor of Research in the Office of Educational Research within LSU’s College of Human Sciences & Education.

In this new role, Dr. Hager will continue serving as Director of Louisiana A+ Schools while expanding efforts to advance research, secure external funding, evaluate program impact, and share best practices in arts-integrated teaching and learning.

Apparently, after completing a distinguished dissertation, Bethany decided that wasn’t quite enough to keep her busy.

This appointment strengthens the connection between research and practice, creating new opportunities to document the impact of arts integration, support educator development, and expand innovative learning experiences for students and teachers across Louisiana.

We are incredibly proud of our fearless leader and excited about what this means for Louisiana A+ Schools, our partner schools, and the broader educational community.

Congratulations, Dr. Hager! (And please remember to occasionally sleep.)

LSU LSU College of Human Sciences and Education

📸Jody Fruge’ photography

We are thrilled to officially welcome NOLA Public Schools and The Leah Chase School to the Louisiana A+ Schools at LSU Network!

After attending their incredible end-of-year showcase last week, one thing was immediately clear: The Leah Chase School is already deeply rooted in the arts, culture, and community. The student performances, artwork, and celebration of learning reflected the creativity and pride that make this school so special.

Our role is not to change that. Our role is to help build upon what these incredible educators and school leaders are already doing.

Through arts integration, we will work alongside educators to intentionally connect the arts and surrounding culture with academic learning, leveraging the creativity already present throughout the school to deepen student engagement, strengthen instruction, and create meaningful learning experiences across all subject areas.

Our work officially begins this July at Summer Institute, and we are excited to partner with the incredible students, educators, families, and community members who make The Leah Chase School such a special place.

As Jody Fruge’ photography so beautifully captured, the sense of community, pride, and support throughout the evening was inspiring. We are honored to begin this journey together.

Welcome to the A+ Family, Leah Chase!



LSU LSU College of Human Sciences and Education LSU School of Education

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18SRVxp1JR/?mibextid=wwXIfr

👋 it’s the last day to catch us at Teacher Leader Summit!

Stop by Booth 1119 in the Education Expo to connect with Louisiana A+ Schools at LSU and learn how arts integration supports engaging, student-centered learning across content areas.

Whether you’re already familiar with arts integration or just curious to learn more, we’d love to meet you, share resources, and talk about what’s happening across our statewide network.

📍 Booth 1119 | Education Expo
🗓 May 26–28, 2026
📍 Teacher Leader Summit | New Orleans, LA

See you there!



LSULSU School of EducationLSU College of Human Sciences and Education

🎨 What a great session at the 2026 Teacher Leader Summit!

Today, Louisiana A+ Schools at LSU facilitated “Arts Integration in Action: Arts-Integrated Micro-Learning Stations,” led by LAA+ Fellow Rebecca Orillion. Educators engaged in hands-on, arts-integrated learning experiences that sparked creativity, collaboration, and meaningful conversation.

Thank you to everyone who joined us today, we loved learning alongside you! 💜💛



LSU College of Human Sciences and Education LSU School of Education LSU

Art Specialists - check out this incredible opportunity!!!

🎨🍎 Calling all K-12 arts educators!

This is the kind of opportunity we’re always saying we wish existed… and it’s RIGHT HERE in Louisiana. 👏✨

The NSULA Art Educator Summer Workshop is offering FOUR days and THREE nights of professional development, creativity, collaboration, and inspiration - completely FREE.

Seriously. Free.

If you’ve been needing:
🖌 fresh classroom ideas
🎭 creative recharge time
🤝 connection with fellow arts educators
📚 meaningful PD that actually speaks to the arts

…this is your sign to GO.

Our arts teachers pour so much into students year-round. Opportunities like this matter - not just for educators, but for the future of arts education in our schools. ❤️

Tag an arts educator who needs to see this! 🎨👇

✨ Looking for ideas you can take back to your classroom immediately? Join us for an interactive Teacher Leader Summit classroom session today at Teacher Leader Summit!

Arts Integration in Action: Arts-Integrated Micro-Learning Stations will showcase practical, arts-integrated strategies designed to engage learners through movement, creativity, collaboration, and reflection.

Facilitated by Rebecca Orillion, Louisiana educator and LAA+ Fellow, this session is all about experiencing learning, not just hearing about it.

🗓 Wednesday, May 27
⏰ 2:00 PM
📍 Classroom Lab 1 | Education Expo
📍 Teacher Leader Summit | New Orleans, LA

We can’t wait to learn with you!



LSULSU School of EducationLSU College of Human Sciences and Education

👋 We’re bringing BIG ideas to Teacher Leader Summit!

Stop by Booth 1119 in the Education Expo to connect with Louisiana A+ Schools at LSU and learn how arts integration supports engaging, student-centered learning across content areas.

Whether you’re already familiar with arts integration or just curious to learn more, we’d love to meet you, share resources, and talk about what’s happening across our statewide network.

📍 Booth 1119 | Education Expo
🗓 May 26–28, 2026
📍 Teacher Leader Summit | New Orleans, LA

See you there!



LSU College of Human Sciences and EducationLSU School of EducationLSU

🎨 Headed to Teacher Leader Summit this week? Come find us at Booth 1119 in the Education Expo. We will be there all week! Drop by and see what Louisiana A+ Schools at LSU is all about!

Also, don’t miss our classroom session on Wednesday! “Arts Integration in Action: Arts-Integrated Micro-Learning Stations” facilitated by Rebecca Orillion, Louisiana educator and LAA+ Fellow. Experience quick, engaging strategies that connect creativity, standards, and meaningful learning.



LSU School of Education LSU College of Human Sciences and Education LSU LSU

A huge congratulations to our fearless leader, Bethany Hager, for being named a Spring 2026 Distinguished Dissertation Nominee by Louisiana State University College of Human Sciences & Education!

Somehow, she manages to lead Louisiana A+ Schools, support schools across the state, answer approximately 4,972 emails a day, and still write a distinguished dissertation. Honestly, we’re starting to suspect she has cloned herself.

Bethany’s passion, vision, and dedication to arts integration and educational excellence continue to push all of us to be better, and we are so proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor.

Please join us in congratulating our fearless leader on this incredible achievement… and if anyone knows when she actually sleeps, let us know.


LSU School of Education LSU College of Human Sciences and Education LSU