Comal ISD unveils RISE program to convert paraprofessionals into certified teachers

Comal ISD officials on Jan. 23 described a new program, RISE, that will pay current paraprofessionals a teacher salary while they complete the remaining coursework and certification required to become fully certified teachers. District staff said the program will begin with a small cohort and is designed to be self-sustaining after its first year.

District staff emphasized the program is intended to address local teacher shortages by recruiting from within the district’s existing paraprofessional workforce. Scott Hammond, a district staff member who outlined the program’s financial model, said 167 paraprofessionals in Comal ISD have at least 48 college hours and that the district already employs paraprofessionals who could move into teaching roles.

Under the RISE model, candidates will complete Teachworthy modules, enroll at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) to finish remaining undergraduate hours, and receive 27 credits from Comal ISD professional learning. The district presented a funding plan that counts a fixed reduction in the RISE instructor’s salary (about $13,000 in the district example) toward tuition and fees. Scott Hammond said, “By becoming a RISE instructor, Amy would realize a 70% increase in her salary and would earn a bachelor's degree debt free. This is a life‑changing opportunity for her and others like her.”

District staff provided the following clarifying details about the program: - Current partnerships: Teachworthy (alternative certification), Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) for the bachelor’s degree, and Comal ISD professional learning for 27 credits; Texas Tech was described as the district’s prior partner for a different program. - Candidate profile: paraprofessionals with at least 40 college credit hours, two years’ experience in Comal ISD, a growth mindset, and a principal recommendation. - Financials (district example): Teachworthy fees $1,500; IWU tuition allocation up to $7,000 per candidate for about 30 hours; a $3,000 stipend for the RISE facilitator (mentor teacher); net district cost after the $13,000 “salary reduction” shown in the example of about $11,500 per candidate for the first cohort. The presenters said the program will repurpose the salary differential and become self-funded after the first cohort, yielding a net gain of about $1,500 per candidate to seed future cohorts. - Timeline and commitments: kickoff for selected paraprofessionals on Feb. 14; Teachworthy modules and district professional learning during spring/summer; placement as a RISE instructor (teacher-of-record) in a general-education core classroom in fall 2025–26; alternative-certification intern year in 2026–27; full certification by 2027–28. Candidates will be asked to commit to teaching in Comal ISD for three additional years after certification.

Board members pressed for operational details during a question-and-answer period. Trustee Jason York called the concept “genius” and praised the potential for retention and career growth. Trustees asked how the district will monitor progress; staff said weekly progress monitoring, regular reports from IWU and Teachworthy, and ongoing professional learning would form the oversight. Trustees also raised questions about marketing the program and how principals would identify guaranteed vacancies; staff said initial recruitment will emphasize current paraprofessionals recommended by principals and that broader external marketing could follow as cohorts scale.

Staff noted limits on placement for the first two years: RISE instructors will be placed in general-education core classrooms and not in special programs (special education, bilingual, CTE or fine arts) during the initial phase because of certification and funding constraints.

District staff emphasized that the first cohort will be small so the professional learning team can provide hands-on support; presenters described plans to expand the program if the first cohort is successful. No formal board action was taken on Jan. 23; the presentation was provided as part of the superintendent’s reports and board information.

The district’s next step is to begin the Feb. 14 kickoff for the initial cohort of recommended paraprofessionals.