Louisiana Educator Kiera Deloch Named Member of National Institute for Excellence in Teaching’s Prestigious 2027 Teacher Leader Fellows Program

East Baton Rouge, LA (July 21, 2026) — NIET is proud to announce the members of the 2027 NIET Teacher Leader 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 Kiera Deloch from East Baton Rouge Parish School System in Louisiana.

“I am proud to welcome Kiera Deloch into the 2027 NIET Teacher Leader Fellows cohort,” said NIET Chief Executive Officer Dr. Joshua Barnett. “This fellowship reflects NIET’s commitment to build educator excellence and empower outstanding teacher leaders who are strengthening instruction and accelerating student success. We look forward to working alongside the 2027 fellows this year as they continue to grow their leadership and share their expertise with educators across the country.”

Deloch was one of just 12 selected out of a competitive pool of applicants from across the country. For more than a decade, she has supported students across public and charter school settings and multiple grade bands. She currently serves as a TAP Content Trainer in the East Baton Rouge Parish School System, supporting Year 1 and Year 2 TAP schools. Deloch received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Southern University and A&M College and completed iTeach, earning certifications in 6–12 English and Family and Consumer Science. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at Capella University. Deloch began her career in education as a substitute teacher before transitioning into a paraprofessional and classroom teacher.

“I’m honored to be selected for this program," Deloch said. “I constantly aim to transform instructional practices by ensuring every educator I come in contact with feels seen, challenged, and equipped to reach their full potential, creating a daily ripple effect that extends from teachers directly to students.”

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. 

“Kiera’s passion for developing teachers and strengthening instructional practice elevates East Baton Rouge Parish School System and makes her exceptionally deserving of this recognition,” said East Baton Rouge Parish School System Superintendent LaMont Cole. “We are proud to support her participation in the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program and the impact it will have across our district.”

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 NIET events throughout the year, including the 2027 NIET National Conference and the 2027 NIET Summer Institute. Each fellow will travel regionally 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 national nonprofit based in Phoenix, Arizona, that serves states and districts nationwide. For more than 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. 

Read more about the NIET Teacher Leader Fellows Program and meet the other 2027 fellows on the NIET website.