The OKCPS Foundation Teacher Pipeline Program is helping paraprofessionals and aides become certified teachers to address Oklahoma’s educator shortage. Mariant Jackson, a first-year teacher and graduate of the program, is one of its success stories. Just three months ago, Jackson graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma. Now, she’s fulfilling her dream of being a teacher.
Program Details
The initiative provides financial and academic support for OKCPS paraprofessionals and aides, covering tuition, books, and fees while allowing participants to continue working in classrooms as they earn their degrees. The program also recruits high school students from OKCPS, aiming to build a workforce that reflects the community and addresses the state’s teacher shortage.
Kendra Horn, president and CEO of the OKCPS Foundation, said programs like the Teacher Pipeline Program are building a strong workforce, which is most needed in the community. As of this May, the program has 48 graduates, a 90% retention rate, and 87 current participants who are still working their way through.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
