Twelve Valley View Community Unit School District 365U staff members are pursuing master’s degrees and special skill certifications that will lead to their becoming certified teachers and filling vacancies thanks to financial support from the State of Illinois Teacher Vacancy Grant Pilot program.
VVSD’s strategic plan prioritizes establishing a viable teaching pipeline to address the challenges posed by teacher shortages. VVSD Director of Human Resources Dr. Rovel Pollock initiated Elevate U by piloting a Grow Your Own Program last year despite limited funding. The teacher vacancy grant played a crucial role in supporting the expansion of initiatives to develop paraprofessionals into qualified classroom teachers.
To facilitate the program, VVSD is working in partnership with BloomBoard, a talent development provider helping school districts with educator advancement solutions. A portion of the district’s annual grant will underwrite on-the-job degree and certification programs for educators currently working full-time in VVSD who also commit to an additional three years of service after completing the program.
Among the initial class of 12 is current VVSD Paraprofessional Dana Gilbreath.
Dana is in her fifth year as a parapro at Brooks Middle School, her 16th with VVSD overall and is pursuing a master’s degree in teaching & Learning in English Language Arts. “Teaching has always been a love of mine and something that I wanted to do. I earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1999 and intended to become a teacher,” Gilbreath explained. “But life has a funny way of happening and taking you down different paths. With this program, I now have the chance to finish my working career doing exactly what I have always wanted to do.”
Dana made her commitment to becoming a full-time teacher official at a special “signing ceremony” hosted by VVSD in mid-November.
Research supports the importance of investing in the expertise of educational support staff, because of the likelihood of retention and established best teaching practices. “Securing funding through the teacher vacancy grant was a source of great excitement for VVSD, particularly because it allows us to expand our efforts by offering an on-the-job apprenticeship in collaboration with Bloomboard for our paraprofessionals,” Dr. Pollack said. “Witnessing the realization of this program is a dream come true, as it brings to life VVSD’s strategic plan.”
“We’re excited to be able to grow and advance our current staff while they continue to support our learners and school community,” said Rachel Kinder, Ed.S, VVSD Superintendent of Schools.
“Thanks to the Teacher Vacancy Grant and BloomBoard’s apprenticeship model, we can make career advancement attainable and a benefit of employment in Valley View– while we also build our talent pipeline and work to fill critical teacher vacancies.”
As is the case with many teachers, Gilbreath was inspired to become a teacher when she was a student herself. “My fifth-grade teacher in Columbus, Ohio, Mrs. Stadler had the biggest impact on my desire to become a teacher,” Gilbreath recalls. “Mrs. Stadler made sure I was always challenged as a learner.” Mrs. Stadler gave Gilbreath a first experience of being a teacher by sending Gilbreath to the school’s first grade classroom to help the younger students with their reading.
When looking forward to the day when she will be standing as a teacher in front of her own classroom, Gilbreath says, “I think I will be excited, and nervous at the same time. I am definitely looking forward to that moment. The support I have received from Brooks Middle School, the staff, VVSD administration and this program gives me all the resources to be successful when that day comes.”