The Martin County School District’s new program to grow its own teachers is progressing smoothly. Eight paraprofessionals are part of the first cohort, and another seven will start in January.
In July of 2023, the Martin County School Board unanimously approved a partnership with BloomBoard Inc., which allows for a select group of current paraprofessionals to earn their bachelor’s degrees from Lake Erie College in either elementary or exceptional student education while continuing as a para.
This $250,000 contract enables paraprofessionals to work towards their degree for free through online coursework and on-the-job training for about two-and-a-half years, while still receiving pay and benefits from the District. Once they’ve received their bachelor’s degree and become accredited teachers, the paraprofessionals entering the program are asked to commit to the District for five years.
"It really is a win. It’s a free education. And in two to two-and-a-half years, they are walking away with a bachelor's degree,” Shannon Armstrong, Director of Human Resources, told WPTV News. “They are going to have the tenure they’ve created working for us here at the Martin County School District. But they are also walking away with pride that they are a part of something big.”
WPTV talked with Maria Ramirez, an English Language Learner paraprofessional at Indiantown Middle School currently enrolled in the program, who was excited about this opportunity to become a teacher.
"At first, I didn’t know what I wanted to do. And then as I started working with students, it sunk in. Like, this is what I need to do," Ramirez said. "It’s awesome this opportunity came around, because it definitely makes it easier to go back into school."
Maria is a Martin County native. She grew up attending Warfield Elementary School, Indiantown Middle School and proudly graduated from South Fork High School.
Watch WPTV’s coverage of this incredible partnership here: https://www.wptv.com/news/education/martin-county-school-district-works-to-grow-teachers-from-within