How an Out-of-State Educator Became a Leader with the Online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from LSUS

As a middle school English teacher with a desire to help students grow, Addison Seal knew she wanted to take her career to the next level without stepping away from the work she loved. Though she’s based outside of Louisiana, Addison found the perfect fit in the online Master of Education in Educational Leadership program from LSU Shreveport (LSUS). What began as a leap into unfamiliar territory soon became an experience that strengthened her leadership skills and clarified her future.

Addison didn’t just complete her master’s—she thrived, thanks to a well-balanced routine, standout faculty support, and a curriculum that aligned directly with her goals. From day one, she approached her studies with intention and strategy, demonstrating the same care and consistency she encourages in her students. Along the way, she discovered the kind of personal growth and mentorship that would shape the next chapter of her career.

Meet Addison Seal

1. How did you balance life, work, and studies?

Balancing work life, focusing on my studies and still trying to maintain some sort of a social life is definitely a challenge, but it’s all about time management. I knew going into this master’s program that I would have to get back into a routine of focusing on my own studies after coming home from my full-time job of telling all my students to prioritize theirs! When it comes to my studies, I am a planner. So at the start of each new session, I would write out when my class met over Zoom, read through the syllabus, make note of important dates, and get really organized on the front end of things. After prioritizing that, I could decide what afternoons could be used for hanging out with friends and what afternoons would be busy preparing for upcoming due dates. It was all about balance and routine that I’m thankful to have figured out pretty early on in my program.

2. How has the online learning experience differed from your expectations?

I have always been so used to face-to-face interactions with my peers and professors, so the online program definitely took some adjusting. My experience was still very valuable and if anything, the online navigation system worked out perfectly for me being an out-of-state student. The only pre-existing expectations that I had of this course were from a friend who did the same program online, therefore I was already familiar with how it would be before I began. Like I said, once I had started there were some adjustments that had to be made. I had to be aware of what classes required mandatory attendance to the Zoom sessions and which sessions allowed students to watch them after the fact. I had to be consistent with checking my Moodle portal regularly, because that also factored into my attendance grades. What made my experience so great was that each of my professors did a great job of ensuring students are getting a valuable learning experience despite the platform being solely online.

3. What was your favorite course or topic? Why?

When it comes to this program, there truly are so many courses that stand out. This program really does equip professionals from all over to be better leaders in their communities, schools and current careers. As someone who minored in Servant Leadership during my undergraduate studies, this Educational Leadership program was the perfect program to build upon those attributes of my previous minor. The course that did teach me the most and stand out above all others was EDL 731: Educational Supervisory Practice with Dr. Melanie Sangalli! Not only did Dr. Sangalli create meaningful assignments that can help us beyond graduation, but she included intentional and detailed responses each week! Her projects and tasks each week were actually strengthening us to be better administrators and educators one day. I learned so much from that one 7-week course and about the importance of self-evaluation as a teacher as well as the importance of leadership practices in schools. Her coaching us through that course is what made me feel more confident about coaching colleagues and other teachers in the future!

4. What did you appreciate most about the faculty and support services?

I feel like I’ve already expressed so much about how much I truly appreciated Dr. Sangalli’s class in the previous response, but I can’t help but highlight just how profound her impact was on me and many other students. Even though the class was conducted online, she managed to create a learning experience that felt personal, engaging, and meaningful. It's not easy to foster real connections when the only way to communicate with your students is through emails or Zoom calls, but Dr. Sangalli made it feel seamless. She always went above and beyond to ensure that we never felt disconnected. One of the things that stood out most was how quickly all professors responded to emails. It might seem like a small thing, but timely and thoughtful responses made all the difference, especially when you’re navigating a course online where there can be a sense of isolation. The LSUS professors truly go the extra mile to ensure that their students are not only academically successful but also feel seen and heard, which can be difficult to achieve in an online learning environment. They create a virtual classroom experience that mirrors the warmth and support you’d expect from in-person interactions, making all the difference in a student's journey.

5. What do you see as the biggest benefits of an online education?

I knew that I wanted to be a part of this program the moment I heard my friend speak about her experiences. Furthering my education has always been a goal of mine, but I wasn’t sure when or how to make it happen while working full-time. It felt like a daunting task to balance both, but when I learned about LSUS’s online program, it seemed like the perfect solution. It offered me the opportunity to continue my education without having to put my career or personal life on hold. The flexibility of the online program allowed me to manage my time in a way that worked for me. I was able to figure out which days and times fit best with my schedule to dedicate to my studies. This autonomy not only helped me stay on track academically but also allowed me to maintain a sense of normalcy in my life. The ability to balance both work and school has been crucial in keeping me motivated and focused, and LSUS’s online program made it all possible.

6. How has the program helped you achieve your career goals?

The Educational Leadership program at LSUS has been instrumental in helping me achieve my career goals by providing me with the flexibility and skills necessary to advance in my field. The ability to pursue my education online allowed me to continue working full-time while gaining new knowledge and expertise. As I progressed through the courses, I found that the material directly applied to my career, enhancing my understanding of key concepts and providing me with practical tools that I could use in my day-to-day work as a middle school English teacher. This combination of learning and real-world application has boosted my confidence and competence, making me more valuable in my current role. Having this experience under my belt also has me excited for what the future holds and for potential new career opportunities in the future. By obtaining a higher level of education, I’ve been able to take on more responsibility at work and become more involved in projects that align with my long-term career goals. The program has also expanded my professional network, connecting me with professors, classmates, and alumni who share similar interests and aspirations. Overall, the program has set me on a clear path toward achieving my career goals and has equipped me with the tools to succeed as a leader in the field of education.

7. Is there anything else you'd like us to know?

Everyone at graduation was so kind and helpful, making the day such a lovely experience!

Take Your Next Step Toward Educational Leadership with LSUS

The online Master of Education in Educational Leadership from LSUS is designed for working professionals like Addison who are ready to grow into school and district-level leadership roles without pausing their careers. Through flexible online courses, dedicated faculty, and a supportive community, LSU Online & Continuing Education helps you move forward on your terms.

Learn more about how you can advance your education and increase your impact with the online M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from LSUS.

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