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District highlights nontraditional student‑teaching pipeline; two paraeducators complete teacher endorsements
Summary
The district presented a nontraditional student‑teaching pathway that allows paraprofessionals to student‑teach while retaining pay; two participants were recognized for completing the pathway and earning endorsements and academic honors via a partnership with WIU.
A district staff member described a nontraditional student‑teaching program that enables paraprofessionals and other nontraditional teacher candidates to complete student teaching while remaining on payroll and retaining their paraprofessional position. The staff member said participants must notify the district about a year in advance and be in good standing; the district attempts to backfill the paraprofessional role with a temporary substitute so candidates can return to their positions after completing student teaching.
The program is run in partnership with Western Illinois University’s paraeducator pathway (WIU), the presenter said, and is intended to help current staff pursue teacher licensure or school service personnel credentials without quitting paid work. The district staff member said the program was launched with board support and has been used by multiple employees.
The board recognized two recent participants. Guinevere Skrevanski was introduced as someone who began as a Jefferson parent, moved into a paraprofessional role and recently obtained an early childhood special education endorsement and academic recognition from WIU. The presenter said Stephanie (last name not provided in the transcript) followed a similar path from volunteer to paraprofessional to teacher candidate, maintained strong academic standing and contributed to classroom programming.
The remarks were congratulatory and informational; no policy change or vote followed the recognition. Board members and staff praised the pathway as a retention and career‑ladder tool.
