Growing a program that partners with Florida school districts.
The Para-to-Pro program is making it possible for districts to recruit future teachers from a pool of existing employees who have shown a commitment to students and the district. Partnering with 19 school systems in Florida, Saint Leo’s Para-to-Pro program benefits paraprofessionals and non-certified district employees with an associate degree as they maintain full-time employment in the district while earning a bachelor's degree in education. As Saint Leo helps Florida school districts “grow their own” teachers, students experience one of the best teacher preparation programs in the state of Florida, as well as rich field experiences with mentors who are district-qualified teachers.
Providing ongoing support for students as they become educators.
The growing number of students enrolled in the Para-to-Pro program receive ongoing support as they become educators. Yet, the financial constraint of earning a degree often becomes a challenge for most who are underpaid, raising families, and working hard to make ends meet. By supporting the Para-to-Pro scholarship fund, we can recruit and retain more paraprofessionals by working closely with Florida's school districts to grow the program. Donor support ensures classroom-ready teachers that help address the teacher shortage in Florida.
"This is a homegrown approach that is working."
I had help and support the whole time and because of that help and support, I was able to get through the program. It's so worth it. It's just an amazing opportunity, and I highly encourage anybody who ever wanted to be a teacher that this is a program that they would want to do. - Katrina Metzler, Teacher, Hernando Elementary School