What are the odds that 3 of Benton’s alumni return to their alma mater and have made the decision to become a Benton teacher? This is most likely a fairly rare event!
Benton Community was one of many districts in the state to join the Teacher Apprenticeship Program. This program is a collaborative effort between the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Workforce Develop Agency, and districts from across the state with a special interest in growing the teacher workforce. It is intended to focus on providing an incentive for paraprofessionals who are already employed and working in schools to gain further training and become a certified teacher. Benton Community has four individuals who are currently working on course work through this grant program. They are Bobcats by day and spend time in the evening doing all of the things they always would as parents, in addition to working on course work through the University of Dubuque.
Each paraeducator working in the apprenticeship program can be provided up to $47,000 in tuition and fees over a two year period. This includes up to $7000 for fees at a community college and up to $17,000 for up to two years at a four-year public or private college or university. The grant also provides half of the wages that districts currently pay for paraeducators participating in the apprenticeship program.
Abbie Patterson, paraeducator at Atkins Elementary shared about her experience in the program. “In true Benton fashion, the support has been felt from all over the community. From the administration willing to help and answer questions, to the teachers supporting and mentoring us, and so many in the community asking how we are doing and excited for our journey.”
Patterson also shared, “With this program, we get to put what we are learning to use right away in the classroom. Being in the classroom we can see the strategies at work and experience what we are being taught in class. I believe we also bring something into our college classes because we already have on the job real-life experience and are learning along with other paraeducators from different districts.”
Kody DeNeve, paraeducator at Norway Intermediate Elementary has enjoyed his time in Norway so far this school year and getting to spend time in the classroom learning from teachers and building relationships with staff and students. Kody has spent time driving school buses for the District the previous 2 years, before this apprenticeship opportunity became an option. He continues to drive bus routes before and after school. “I’m excited for the chance to work through this apprenticeship and spend 2 years with professionals learning the teaching profession.”
Lacy Cook, paraeducator at Atkins Elementary, shares “Benton Community is a great place to belong. We truly have exceptional students and I am excited to be able to learn and grow along with them. Being able to have classroom experience is helping me learn to be an effective teacher. This is an amazing opportunity and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Benton is proud to be able to offer this opportunity to those interested as it provides us with an opportunity to grow our own teaching staff and support those who are interested in growing in this way, too.
Kody DeNeve teaching at Norway Intermediate.
Lacey Cook working with students at Atkins Elementary.