Pathways for Paris - Paraeducator to Teacher Apprenticeship Program

Source:  featuring Dr. Jon Turner, Dr. Reesha Adamson, and Kaylee Picket from Missouri State University.

Date: February, 2025

Link and More Information: https://education.missouristate.edu/SELPS/SpEd/pathways-for-paraprofessionals.htm 

Contacts: Dr. Reesha Adamson [email protected] 

Executive Summary:

The "Pathways for Paris" program at Missouri State University addresses the teacher shortage, particularly in rural schools, by creating a federally recognized, registered apprenticeship program for paraeducators. This program enables paraeducators to earn their teaching degrees while continuing to work and get paid in their local school districts. Key benefits include immersion in the school environment, intensive mentorship, financial support (being paid during apprenticeship), flexible course delivery (online and synchronous), and customized curriculum relevant to the specific school district. While challenges exist (student capacity, faculty workload, the need for workforce development partnerships), the program demonstrates promising results in teacher preparation, retention, and collaboration among rural school districts.

Key Themes and Ideas:

1. Addressing the Teacher Shortage in Rural Schools:

• The program directly responds to the critical teacher shortage, which is especially acute in rural areas. 
• The program acknowledges the challenge faced by paraeducators who need to maintain their jobs while pursuing a teaching degree.

1. The Apprenticeship Model as a Solution:

• The apprenticeship model is presented as an innovative approach to teacher preparation, drawing parallels with successful apprenticeship programs in other fields (e.g., viticulture).
• The program provides extensive practical experience. Adamson emphasizes, "At minimum apprenticeships have 2,000 hours…within that school setting. So when you think about what that means for a candidate, the amount of time and exposure and understanding that they have of that school setting is exponentially higher than what we do in our teacher training programs."

1. Key Features of the Pathways for Paris Program:

• Partnership: A close collaboration between Missouri State University and over 200 school districts in Missouri.
• Scale: Serving approximately 400 paraeducators.
• Flexibility: Courses are offered asynchronously online or synchronously via Zoom to accommodate working professionals.
• Customized Curriculum: About one-third of the professional education coursework (24 credit hours) can be completed and taught by the school districts, allowing for curriculum tailored to specific school needs (e.g., reading programs, IEP processes). As Adamson says, "as schools are working to cultivate and to kind of grow their own candidates…they can make sure that those individuals are teaching reading in the evidence-based way, but also understand what reading curriculum they're going to be using within that school district." This ensures candidates are better prepared from "day one."
• Financial Support: Paraeducators are paid during their apprenticeship, which offsets tuition costs and provides a sustainable income. Adamson states, "all apprentices are paid…It's going to offset some tuition costs for individuals, but it's also going to help them on that trajectory of knowing that they have a sustainable income with that employment partner."

1. Benefits for Rural Schools:

• Reduced travel for coursework.
• Opportunity to retain local talent. "You're taking your individuals