Louisiana Educator Candace Shaidaee Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2026 Fellows Program

DENHAM SPRINGS, LA (August 12, 2025) — NIET is proud to unveil the finalists for the 2026 NIET Fellows cohort, launching a dynamic one-year program to help selected educators deepen their knowledge of NIET’s systems of improvement to more effectively support the work taking place in their school and district. Among the distinguished fellows is Candace Shaidaee from Southside Elementary of Livingston Parish Public Schools in Denham Springs, Louisiana. 

“I’m excited to invite Candace Shaidaee into our second cohort of the NIET Fellows Program,” said NIET CEO Dr. Joshua Barnett. “For 25 years, we have seen the work of effective educators, like those joining us in this fellows program, be the driver of success within schools, districts, and communities. We look forward to learning alongside Candace and this cohort by providing opportunities to elevate instructional practices and apply them within and beyond their classrooms.”

Shaidaee was one of just 11 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She was raised in Jarreau, Louisiana, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from LSU in Baton Rouge and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from LSU Shreveport.

“I’m thrilled to join the second cohort of the NIET Fellows Program and deepen my learning as an educator,” Shaidaee said. “Teacher leadership empowers educators to be the change they wish to see in our schools, directly shaping the culture of growth and perseverance within a school. Throughout my journey, I've strived to lead by example, hoping that one day, some of those I have helped to guide will look back and say, ‘Because of you, I didn’t give up.’ This mindset has deeply influenced my growth as a leader, pushing me to inspire, support, and uplift those around me every day.”

Over the years, she has taught High School French, speech, and drama, as well as third and fourth grades. She spent six years serving as an instructional coach at Southside Elementary. In 2025, Shaidaee accepted a position as Literacy Mentor and will now be supporting teachers in 12 Livingston Parish Schools with high and growing ELL and special education populations.

“Congratulations to Candace, who represents Livingston Parish Public Schools’ commitment to ensuring the success of students,” said Livingston Parish Public Schools Superintendent Jody W. Purvis. “Her most recent role as Literacy Mentor will continue to drive achievement for a dozen schools within our district, and we look forward to implementing the strategies and skills she will bring back to her fellow educators here in Livingston Parish. We are proud to see her recognized as a part of the NIET Fellows Program.”

The NIET Fellows Program was created with educator effectiveness in mind, bringing together teacher leaders from partner schools nationwide who demonstrate exceptional implementation of NIET's principles, emphasizing educator excellence and advancing student success. Throughout the year-long fellowship, fellows will participate in professional development activities designed to enhance their leadership capabilities, including an introductory boot camp and involvement with two signature NIET events throughout the year - the 2026 NIET National Conference and the 2026 NIET Summer Institute. Each fellow will regionally travel to shadow NIET’s Senior Specialists while maintaining their full-time employment status, including salary and benefits, with their respective districts, while being released to participate in program activities throughout the year.

The National Institute for Excellence in Teaching (NIET) is a nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, that serves states and districts nationwide. For 25 years, NIET has partnered with schools, districts, states, and universities to build educator excellence and give all students the opportunity for success. NIET’s initiatives, including the TAP System, teacher and leader development, school improvement, rubric and observation systems, and educator preparation, have impacted more than 350,000 educators and 3.5 million students across the U.S. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we are proud to honor our partners’ success and share the results of intentional, sustained investments in educator effectiveness. Learn more in our anniversary report, Building Educator Excellence: 25 Years of Impact. 

Read more about the NIET Fellows Program and meet the other 2026 fellows on the NIET website.