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Organizations & Associations

A+PEL

The Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana (A+PEL) is the premier professional educators association. It was established in 1987 (Louisiana at Lafayette chapter 2003) by educators who saw the need for a professional organization that focused on student achievement without an emphasis on partisan politics. A+PEL is a non-union organization that is statewide with members comprised of teachers, paraprofessionals and teacher candidates at universities across the state.

A+PEL provides an affordable professional insurance program for liability coverage, employment rights coverage, criminal defense coverage, assault related property damage coverage, malicious prosecution coverage, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and identity theft coverage. Grants and scholarships, professional development opportunities, government relations and advocacy, professional publications and resources, as well as recruitment bonuses, and 24-hour assistance are provided by A+PEL. Through the association, both home and auto insurance policy discounts also are available.

The cost of the professional insurance program for UL Lafayette students is $20 per year.

For additional information about A+PEL, please e-mail Dayle Guillory.

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP)

Kappa Delta Pi (KDP), International Honor Society in Education, is a membership organization founded by Dr. William Bagley on March 8, 1911 at the University of Illinois to foster excellence in education and promote fellowship among those dedicated to teaching. KDP Membership is a lifelong connection to a network of 40,000 exceptional educators working in various levels of education, including some of today’s top thinkers and practitioners in education. The Kappa Delta Pi name was chosen from the Greek words to represent knowledge, duty, and power. The Delta Iota of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette was founded in 1937 and is open to all College of Education students who are pursuing a teaching certification field, have a 3.0 cumulative (unadjusted) grade point average, and are willing to perform service in the community.

For additional information, please e-mail Dr. Edith Mayers, Dr. Lucy Begnaud, or Dr. Aeve Abington-Pitre.

Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE)

The Louisiana Association of Educators (LAE) represents over 20,000 professional education employees of the Louisiana school system. Membership is comprised of public school teachers, counselors, psychologists, librarians, education support professionals, and other non-supervisory certificated personnel. The Student Chapter of the Louisiana Association of Educators at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette is open to all College of Education students who are pursuing a teaching certification field and have a desire to become better informed advocates for education.

LAE’s mission is to organize and empower local associations in order to promote quality public schools, strengthen the education profession and improve the well-being of members. Specifically, LAE promote the following Core Values:

  • Equal Opportunity: LAE members believe public education is the gateway to opportunity.
  • A Just Society: LAE members believe public education is vital to building respect for the worth, dignity and equality of every individual in our diverse society. Democracy: LAE members believe public education is the cornerstone of our republic.
  • Professionalism: LAE members believe that both expertise and judgment of education professionals are critical to student success.
  • Partnerships: LAE members believe in partnerships with parents, families, communities and other stakeholders.
  • Collective Action: LAE members believe that individuals are strengthened when they work together for the common good. 

For additional information about LAE, please e-mail Hunter Beasley.

Student Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Student Council for Exceptional Children is an association for all student members of the national organization, Council for Exceptional Children. Anyone interested in the education of exceptional children and youth is welcome to join CEC as either a student or regular member. Most of our members are future teachers in special education. The student membership category is defined as those who are enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university or part-time student not engaged full-time employment as a certified teacher. Students can join at a discounted rate and are entitled to the identical benefits, services, rights, and privileges of regular CEC members including subscription to two professional journals.

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette Chapter typically meets twice a semester with additional time given to service projects. For more information, please e-mail Dr. Donna E. Dugger-Wadsworth.