Poplar Bluff has created its own pipeline of teachers by offering paraprofessionals an opportunity to receive a certification in special education at little to no cost, while continuing to earn a salary.

The R-I district was awarded a $10,000 ‘Grow Your Own’ grant to pilot the Pathways for Paraprofessionals program, the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education informed school officials in April.

In a partnership with the Missouri State University College of Education, teacher retention and recruitment funds are being applied toward a stipend so existing Poplar Bluff educators can lead the classes outside of the school day.

“For the employees, it’s a flexible way to continue their education and move into a field where they can better themselves financially, and advance within the Poplar Bluff school system,” explained Mike Owen, R-I assistant superintendent of personnel. “As far as the district goes, everybody knows teachers are in short supply. And for the students, there will be less turnover because you typically have to quit your job to go back to school."

Employees enrolled in the program earn their K-12 mild/moderate cross-categorical SPED certification in 2-3 years, depending on previous coursework, with flexible credit hours offered after school, online or over the summer. The student teaching portion is completed on the job.

“I like the idea of having our paras, who work closely with our kids and already have a relationship established, then move into the teaching role,” stated Mindy Garrett, R-I director of special education. “It only makes for a stronger learning environment.”

Grant applications to receive up to a 100 percent discount for program participation are available through MSU, along with financial aid under the federal Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) program, as well as Missouri Fast Track. There are also two Accelerated Masters in Education program options for participants seeking to advance laterally on the salary index.

“This is an amazing partnership that will help our community grow our own teachers,” Owen’s predecessor Dr. Fara Jones wrote in the grant proposal in January. The R-I district will have to seek additional grant opportunities in order to sustain the program, depending on continued interest from personnel, otherwise finance the program out of balances based on its return on investment, according to administration.

Once an initial teaching certification is obtained, Owen noted that it is easier to test into other subject areas. The first cohort, whom he referred to as “pioneers,” range from 25 years in their career to not too far removed from graduating high school.

LaRonda Mack, who assists in the Life Skills classroom at Junior High, plus leads the Multicultural elective under a supervising faculty member, said she is “appreciative of the opportunity” and pursuing the program because of the encouragement of both her colleagues and loved ones. When the additional workload gets overwhelming on top of her homebound duties in the evenings, she said she reminds herself that “it’s free.”

Hannah Tuttle, 20, earned her associate degree from Three Rivers College this spring and planned to transfer to Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, but enrolled in Pathways for Paras instead to accelerate her career path. She accepted a paraprofessional job in an eighth grade classroom in the meantime in order to qualify.

“I would say that this program allows me to gain work experience while taking college courses,” Tuttle reflected. “Overall this has been an extremely beneficial opportunity for me as it helps relieve the financial burden of paying for college and helps me get my degree faster.”

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Cutline: Pictured during an introductory meeting in August at the Kay Porter Theater are (left to right) Justin Knapp, Michele Steffan, LaRonda Mack, Hannah Tuttle, Lalena Vaughn, Jasmine Terry-Deloney, Amy Counts and Jennifer Lee. Not pictured are cohort members Amanda Davis, Jeremy Dawe and Victoria Hadley.