Louisiana Creole Center hosts enrichment institute for teachers

NATCHITOCHES, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Ten middle school teachers spent time learning more about Louisiana Creoles.

The Creole Heritage Center at Northwestern State University

(NSU), in partnership with Cane River Creole National Historical Park and Cane River National Heritage Area, welcomed teachers from across the state to NSU for a three-day institute.

Dr. Kent Peacock, director of the Creole Heritage Center, said, “Our goal was to give teachers a better understanding of who are Louisiana Creoles and their vibrant heritage so they feel confident incorporating these essential parts of Louisiana and the United States into their classrooms.”

The teachers learned about and visited many of the heritage sites in Natchitoches Parish, including NSU’s Creole Heritage Center, Melrose on the Cane, Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame and Northwest Louisiana History Museum and two of Cane River Creole National Historical Park’s sites, St. Augustine Catholic Church, and the Badin Roque House.

The hope is that the teachers will pass on what they learned about Creoles to their students and take them to some of the sites. The Creole Heritage Center wants to present the institute again in Natchitoches and other Louisiana locations.