New Carthage program helps classroom aides become teachers
Starting with a partner school in Milwaukee, ǿմý is working to build a pipeline for educational paraprofessionals to become full-time licensed teachers.
Credit: Courtesy of the Milwaukee Academy of ScienceThis fall, seven teaching assistants from the Milwaukee Academy of Science began taking classes taught by faculty members from Carthage’s Teacher Education Program. Building on their existing associate degrees, participants can obtain a bachelor’s degree and a teaching license in 2 to 2 1/2 years while continuing to work.
Based on early indications, Chief Academic Officer Lita Mallett predicts this will be a “transformative” program for the STEM-focused charter school. MAS enrolls about 1,900 students in grades 4K through 12.
“Our teacher assistants feel motivated and excited about their futures as educators, and they are bringing that energy back into our classrooms every day,” explains Ms. Mallett. “Because they already know our students and families so deeply, developing them into our future teachers strengthens our culture and creates lasting stability. This partnership is not only retaining and growing talent from within, but it is building the strong foundation our students and community deserve.”
As more experienced teachers leave the profession, educational leaders see the assistants who already work in classrooms as optimal candidates to fill those vacancies. All of the initial MAS participants in the Carthage program identify as Black or Hispanic, an added bonus at a school that primarily serves students of color.
Professor Nina Weisling, chair of the Carthage Education Department, is confident that a successful pilot of the AA-to-BA plus licensure program will yield additional partnerships.
“All of us have had that paraprofessional in our building who made the difference,” she says. “We know they can be great teachers.”
Most courses are taught on site at the academy’s campus, with some additional coursework completed online. Carthage has provided generous scholarships, and the Milwaukee Academy of Science is covering the remainder of the participants’ cost.