Louisiana Educator Dominique O’Conner Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2026 Fellows Program

BATON ROUGE, 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 Dominique O’Conner from South Baton Rouge Charter Academy of Charter Schools USA, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

“I’m excited to invite Dominique O’Conner 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 Dominique and this cohort by providing opportunities to elevate instructional practices and apply them within and beyond their classrooms.”

O’Conner was one of just 11 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Southern University A&M College and a Master’s in Education from Grand Canyon University.

“I’m thrilled to join the NIET Fellows Program this year and build on my work at South Baton Rouge Charter Academy,” O’Conner said. “Teacher leadership is the foundation of lasting school improvement. It empowers educators to drive change from within, creating a culture of shared responsibility and continuous growth. For me, it has transformed coaching from a task into a mission, where I've seen colleagues step into their power and students thrive as a result. When teachers lead, schools evolve, and students succeed.”

With over 10 years of experience in education, O’Conner began her career as a middle school teacher and later transitioned to working in elementary education. She has served as an instructional coach for the past four years, focusing on growing teacher capacity and advancing instructional practices to improve student outcomes. In fall 2025, she will assume the role of Dean of Instruction at South Baton Rouge Charter Academy. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to instructional excellence and lasting student success.

“Being chosen for the NIET Fellows Program speaks to Dominique’s leadership and support for fellow educators,” said Louisiana State Superintendent of Charter Schools USA Dr. Lonnie Luce. “As an instructional coach and now our incoming Dean of Instruction, Dominique’s commitment to her students, colleagues, and professional community continues to elevate our work. This opportunity will further refine her abilities and drive improvement and change across South Baton Rouge Charter Academy.”

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.