What's a good fast growing, shade tree to plant?

I was in the same situation. I went with a Drake elm tree. Pretty tree and they grow decently fast

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Chinese tallow

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The Bradford Pear trees are really popular... they don't grow really big and are not a hardwood tree but they do grow pretty fast and provide a ton of shade because they get fat.

The sale of tallow tree should be outlawed in La. Nastiest, most invasive tree there is. It has taken over many of the bayou banks in south La. Kill any you see.

That being said, sawtooth oak, or chinkapin oaks are good and fast growing.

Sawtooth Oak.
I planted one. Fast growing for an oak. Nice shade tree. Fastest producing acorns in the oak family and wildlife love em.

SAWTOOTH OAK

Silver leaf maple

I see a lot of shitty answers, I like the one about going to the Ag Centers recommendations. But here's the bottom line, you have to fertilize it, and do it often, and you gotta water it. And when I say fertilize it, I don't mean just go grab a bag and throw it on the grass. Research what the tree needs, use a quality fertilizer, and drill hols in the ground at the drip line and bury the fertilizer. Makes a world of difference. I've got some 8" Shumardi Red oaks that are 5 years old, planted when they were 1.5".

Fella's , Fella's , Trees have feeling too