LSU Early-Childhood Education Graduate Committed to Shaping Louisiana’s Future Leaders
November 20, 2024
LSU graduate Caroline Hargrave credits her previous teachers as her inspirations to pursue a career in education herself. The New Iberia native earned her LSU degree in early childhood education in 2023.
Caroline Hargrave teaching in East Baton Rouge Parish.
“I will always remember how positive, nurturing, and compassionate my earliest teachers were and how they laid out such a positive approach to learning,” Hargrave said.
Since then, she has focused on teaching the youngest Louisianans.
“The early age is such an influential time in a child’s life,” Hargrave said. “No one truly knows what goes on at home for a student, so creating a welcoming and nurturing classroom is a top priority of mine. Learning new skill sets is of the utmost importance, but it also allows the students to be kids. Meeting the students where they are each day is critical, as well as having a fresh start each day.”
Caroline Hargrave graduating from LSU
Hargrave was offered a graduate assistantship through LSU’s Early Childhood Education Laboratory Preschool. This allows her to continue gaining experience while pursuing her master’s degree at LSU.
Hargrave enjoys working in early childhood education because every day is a different and unique experience. She said she loves knowing that she is building the children up for success.
“Day in and day out, we are shaping young minds, teaching new concepts, and helping young students be the best versions of themselves,” Hargrave said. “We let the kids be kids and form a love for learning at a young age. I am grateful to be a small part of each child’s academic journey.”
She wants to create a comforting and welcoming classroom environment for her students to help them succeed.
“I believe staying in the state and giving back to our communities creates a commitment to ensure a better Louisiana by educating our children to become our future leaders,” Hargrave said.
Hargrave said her experience at LSU was impactful, providing her with the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Louisiana educator. She said the most valuable component was the hands-on experiences she received while in the early childhood education program, including internships with local schools and student teaching in Baton Rouge.
Explore LSU's Lutrill & Pearl Payne School of Education
These field experiences allowed her to work with students ranging from Pre-K to 2nd grade. Hargrave was assisted by mentor teachers, and she was able to observe day-to-day life in the classroom and practice creating unit plans for instruction.
“The program sets you up for success so that when it is time to graduate, you are well-prepared and confident in your abilities,” Hargrave said. “I was able to experience different classroom environments and different grade levels, which gave me a lot of insight as a student working towards her own classroom.”
She’s continuing her education at LSU, while working full time, pursuing her Master’s degree in early childhood education.
“I am always wanting to add more skills and knowledge surrounding education to my teacher toolkit,” Hargrave said. “The master’s degree opens the door for more opportunities within the field of education.”
Looking into the future, Hargrave sees herself continuing to have a positive impact, make a difference, and shape the future of Louisiana through the students she teaches.
“Being a product of the state’s flagship university has given me the opportunity to be taught by some of the best in the field of education,” Hargrave said. “My goal is to give back to the students I encounter daily and be a positive influence like the teachers I had once did for me. It is my way to pay it forward.”
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.