Some $45 million in federal funding was announced last month that aims at growing a first-of-its-kind education apprenticeship program, and the Perry Community School District’s share in those funds — the Perry proposal won $745,557 — will support paraprofessionals who are looking to pursue a career in education and the students whom they work with.
PCSD Superintendent Clark Wicks said the paraprofessional apprenticeship program is expected to bring highly qualified paraprofessionals into the PCSD system, where some of them will develop into future teachers.
“Paraeducators accepted into this program may earn financial incentives up to $3,000 a year as well obtain a DMACC paraeducator certificate or even an associate’s degree — both of which can help obtain a bachelor’s degree in education — all at little or no cost to themselves,” Wicks said.
The registered apprenticeship program in the PCSD aims to help 20 apprentices obtain a paraeducator certificate or an associate’s degree, which they can then use to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Current high school students and adult paraprofessionals will have their tuition and fees paid for by the school district’s grant, with additional incentives to help them complete the program successfully.
Tasha Galindo of Perry has already made the journey from paraeducator to fully credentialed teacher, and she can vouch for the value of continuing professional development. Galindo began her work as a paraeducator in the Perry school system in 2008, and in 2017 she decided to pursue an associate’s degree at William Penn.
“I wanted to continue my education so that I could help students learn and teach them that they can learn no matter how difficult some tasks may be,” said Galindo. “Once I completed my associate’s degree, I remember thinking how fast the time had passed and decided to continue my education towards my bachelor’s degree.”
Growing up, Galindo always knew she wanted to be a teacher.
“I had so many teachers who were positive role models to me and wanted to be that person for children,” she said. “When I was a student at Perry Elementary, I had two teachers who had a positive impact on me and made me want to become a teacher. They were Mrs. Haaland and Mrs. Sue Leslie.”
Galindo eventually obtained her bachelor’s degree in elementary education, with endorsements in reading and special education, and she is now a full-time teacher at the Perry Elementary School. She credits her success to the support she received from her husband, Mario, and she believes that her experience as a paraeducator helped her become a more successful teacher.
“I believe that my experience as a paraeducator played a great role in me becoming a teacher,” she said. “As a paraeducator, we are given the opportunity to experience many teaching styles and classroom management strategies that we can use as future teachers. I also feel like there are learning opportunities for paraeducators to see what they do or do not want to do in their own classrooms. I now use many strategies and routines in my current classroom that I learned over 14 years as a paraeducator.”
The paraprofessional apprenticeship grant will dovetail nicely with the Future Ready Perry (FRP) initiative, according to Connie Saenz, Future Ready Perry coordinator at the Perry DMACC. She said the FRP program has worked to help grow future teachers from Perry High School over the last two years.
“Future Ready Perry has developed three career pathways: medical, education and the trades for high school students,” Saenz said. “This grant will help high school students in the education pathway accelerate their path towards becoming a teacher.”
Students in the future educator club will be encouraged to work as paraeducators in programs such as PACES before and after school. Saenz said the following paraprofessionals should apply:
- Paraprofessionals without any college credits looking to pursue credentials, including an associates degree, receive mentorship, and financial incentives.
- Paraprofessionals with some college credits looking to pursue credentials, including an associates degree, receive mentorship, and financial incentives.
- Paraprofessionals with an associates degree or bachelor’s degree interested in obtaining credentials that can help you become a teacher.
Adults interested in the program can apply online at the PCSD Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship application website.
