PARAPROFESSIONALS RECEIVE
SCHOLARSHIP TO BECOME
TEACHERS
Three Mansfield ISD staff members
are in the process of receiving their
teaching certification for free.
The growth opportunity is part
of the Frances Brownlie Para to
Professional Scholarship Program.
Under the program, a qualified
paraprofessional with a bachelor’s
degree who wants to become a certified
teacher can do so by taking classes
through Tarleton State University.
The program is paid for by the
MISD Education Foundation, which
received private donations to
make the scholarship possible.
“It was the brainchild of
Superintendent Dr. Jim Vaszauskas,”
explained Lynn Wilkie, executive
director of the Mansfield ISD Education
Foundation. “He really wanted to get a
program to help our paraprofessionals
continue their education. We’re
very grateful to our donors for
making this vision come to life.”
Those enrolled in the program
said it is a life-changing endeavor
that they would not have been
able to do otherwise.
“The usual requirement for becoming
a teacher is to take off a semester to
do your student teaching, and you
don’t get paid,” said Alicia Boen,
special education co-education
teacher at Cross Timbers Intermediate
School. “Being a single mom, I never
would have been able to do that.”
Participants undergo an application
process in order to get the opportunity
to be certified in special education,
math, science or bilingual education.
The district hopes to place more paraprofessionals into the program
to continue the culture of being a lifelong learner.
The students are also given mentors
and field supervisors for extra
support and encouragement. teachers, as professionals. It means
a lot to me and makes me want to be
a part of this district even more.”
“It feels fantastic. It feels like you’re
supported in your growth, and it
feels like you’re a part of this big
team, and everybody helps you,” said
Karina Ardizzi, a teacher’s aide at
Judy K. Miller Elementary School. Wilkie said the MISD Education
Foundation is mostly known for
the grants it gives to classrooms,
but now the organization is able
to reach out to help staff members
pursue their dreams through the
Para to Professional Program.
Upon completion of the Para to
Professional Program, the staff
members will be considered for the
next available teaching position in
their specialization. They’ll also be
only three to four classes away from
getting a master’s degree in education.
“Our district really does care about
every one of its employees, whether it’s
from the lowest one on the totem pole
to the highest one in the district,” said
Pauline Quinones, a teacher’s aide at
Mary Orr Intermediate School. “They’re
trying to help us grow as people, as
“
Our district really does
care about every one of
its employees, whether
it’s from the lowest one
on the totem pole to the
highest one in the district.
PAULINE QUINONES
TEACHER’S AIDE
MARY ORR INTERMEDIATE
MANSFIELDTODAY 9