“ It was a childhood dream for me . I ’ ve always wanted to be a teacher .”
FOUNDATION ’ S SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM HELPS PARAPROFESSIONALS BECOME TEACHERS
Growing up , Patricia Bedlington was not on a good path . She ’ d seen her mom go through multiple divorces , she fell in with the wrong crowd and was homeless at one point in her young adult life . But through determination and grit , Bedlington changed her course .
“ It was a childhood dream for me ,” she said . “ I ’ ve always wanted to be a teacher .”
Bedlington began working in Mansfield ISD as a math paraprofessional . Now , she ’ s a third grade teacher at Charlotte Anderson Preparatory Academy . Through the Mansfield ISD Education Foundation ’ s Frances Brownlie Para to Professional Scholarship Program , Bedlington was able to complete the last step of becoming an educator .
Under the program , selected qualified paraprofessionals with 30 college hours who wants to become a certified teacher can do just that . The Foundation receives private donations to make the scholarship possible .
Kim Cavitt , a Pre-K paraprofessional at Anna May Daulton Elementary School , is currently enrolled in the Brownlie program . Her students know that she ’ s back in school , and she hopes it inspires them to persevere in their own path .
“ I can be a model to those kids . I can use my story to help encourage them that they can do it , too ,” Cavitt said . “ They might not do something as quickly as someone else , but they can still become college ready , or whatever that looks like for them , and be successful .”
Participants undergo an application process in order to get the opportunity to become a certified teacher . The students are also given mentors and field supervisors for extra support and encouragement . They also have regular meetings with other students in the program .
“ I ’ ve been able to meet other ladies in the program who have become lifelong friends ,” Cavitt said .
“ It was a childhood dream for me . I ’ ve always wanted to be a teacher .”
PATRICIA BEDLINGTON Charlotte Anderson Preparatory Academy teacher
TOP : Kim Cavitt reads a book to students at Anna May Daulton Elementary .
LEFT : Patricia Bedlington works with her third graders at Anderson Academy .
After completing the program , the staff members will be considered for an available teaching position in their specialization .
Bedlington is living her dream , and it took a lot of work to get there . She ’ s a mom of two girls , and they attend Anderson Academy as well . Her oldest likes to help her in the classroom and one day hopes to be a teacher herself .
“ It was worth it ,” Bedlington said . “ I wanted to show them what it took to bring your dreams to life , and I think I ’ ve done that .”
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