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The Paraprofessional Teacher Development
Center (PTDC), located within the CSU, Fresno School of Education and
Human Development, currently serves more than 180 paraprofessionals
pursuing bilingual, special education, multiple and single subject
teaching credentials. A four-year history has shown a one-hundred percent
(100%) placement rate of the program's completers with local school
districts. More than sixty paraprofessionals supported by the PTDC have
completed credentials and are now teaching. The office is sensitive to the
unique needs of future bilingual teachers. Most are first generation
college students with a primary language other than English. Language,
institutional processes and paperwork required in degree and credential
programs often become barriers to paraprofessionals, in addition to the
task of juggling work, school, and family responsibilities.
The PTDC is a “one-stop shop,” serving to remove
barriers to participation in higher education. Assistance is provided in
registration, advisement, financial aid, tutoring, and personal situations
that may inhibit progress toward credential completion. Potential problems
are resolved on an individual basis. Placement coordination is provided
for students entering paid teaching internships and/or employment as
teachers.
Support services offered through the Paraprofessional
Teacher Development Center for Paraprofessional Career Ladder participants
include:
- Monitoring of academic progress by semester.
- Professional development through Paraprofessional
Academy.
- Individual attention to personal needs related to
program participation.
- Administration of tuition payment and book
stipends related to program participation.
- Meeting with University financial aid counselors
during the first semester.
- Assistance in academic planning and registration.
- Development of an individualized academic plan
leading to the desired credential.
- Tutorial assistance as needed for coursework,
CBEST, and RICA exams.
- Assistance with transition from community college
to university in teacher preparation.
- Preparation for a seamless transition into
Teacher Internship Program or CalstateTEACH.
Funding is provided by the California Commission on
Teacher Credentialing through a Paraprofessional Teacher Training grant.
For additional information contact Anne Murphy at (559) 278-0256 or Steve
Price at (559) 278-0230.
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