Para Pathway

What We Do

We help speed the process for people who want to teach by removing financial and other barriers to getting certified and working.

Program Vision

  • Create new pathways into teaching by removing financial and other barriers to becoming an educator
  • Speed up the process to become an educator while maintaining the rigor and quality
  • Respond to the need for more teachers and a more diverse pipeline that mirrors the student population
  • Invest in our communities by offering opportunities to Paraprofessionals who already work in our schools and support our students
  • Is a true collaboration between PFT and SDP from the inception to supporting participants

2024 Pathway Screening Process

  1. Please set a reminder to attend one, mandatory, virtual information session.

The information sessions will be on July 17 from 3-4pm or July 23 from 3-4pm, at the following zoom link:

  1. Please review your responses and submit the pre screening form no later than July 19 at 11:59pm.
  • You will be emailed a copy of your responses for your records.
  • The Office of Professional Learning will review all requests and advise you of your pre-screening results no later than July 26 at 11:59pm.
  1. Please prepare for the next steps in the process.
  • If you pass the pre-screening, you will be scheduled to attend an in-person performance task from 9am to 1pm on July 29, 30, or 31. The performance task will include a written response, math assessment, and interview with SDP and PFT staff.
  • If you are made eligible by SDP and PFT, you will have a final screening with the selected university program, sign your commitment to the program, and begin classes in August or September, according to the university schedule.
  • In order to complete enrollment, please be aware that you will need to submit transcripts to your selected university program and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Eligibility Criteria & How to Apply

  • School District of Philadelphia employee appointed in a paraprofessional role (PFT Paraprofessional Bargaining Unit)
  • No disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months
  • An excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than 18 occurrences of personal illness, excluding one extended period of illness and/or COVID-19 Directed Quarantine Leave)
  • Meets the eligibility requirements of, is accepted into, and agrees to the terms of one of our partner programs
  • Participants commit to working/teaching in the District for at least two years after the program

Think you’re eligible? Start your application by completing this eligibility screening form

Not a current District Paraprofessional? Apply here!
https://www.workinphilly.com/
Special Education Assistant
Bilingual Counseling Assistant

Note: Other roles are available!

Current Offerings

Eligible employees with a high school diploma, GED, or less than 60 college credits:

  • Community College of Philadelphia Associate’s Degree Program:Eligible employees who do not have 60 college credits can apply to CCP’s program to obtain an Associate’s Degree.

Eligible employees with at least 60 college credits, but no bachelor’s degree:

  • Holy Family Bachelor’s Degree and Teacher Certification Program: Eligible employees with at least 60 credits can apply to Holy Family’s program to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Certificate in Special Education PreK-12 or combined Elementary PreK-4 and Special Education PreK-12.
  • La Salle Bachelor’s Degree and Teacher Certification Program:Eligible employees with at least 60 credits can apply to La Salle’s program to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and Teaching Certificate in Elementary PreK-4.
  • College Unbound Bachelor’s Degree Program: Eligible employees with at least 60 college credits can apply to College Unbound’s program to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership and Change. The College Unbound program does not lead to a teaching certificate.

Eligible Employees with a bachelor’s degree:

  • Lincoln University Teacher Certification Program:Eligible employees with a Bachelor’s Degree can apply to Lincoln’s program to obtain teacher certification in Special Education PreK-12.
  • La Salle University Teacher Certification Program: Eligible employees with a Bachelor’s Degree can apply to La Salle’s program to obtain teacher certification in Elementary PreK-4; Middle Grades ELA, Math or Science; or Secondary ELA, Math, General Science, Biology, or Spanish.

Eligible Employees independently enrolled in a teacher certification program:

Student Teaching with Full Pay and Benefits: Eligible employees who are independently enrolled in a teacher certification program can apply to go on educational leave with compensation and benefits to complete their full-time, stage four student teaching. Employees will continue to receive their normal pay and benefits while they are doing their student teaching.

Additional Supports

  • Tuition assistance
  • Credit for prior experience/college credits
  • Wrap-around services to support returning, working adult learners
  • Peer cohort model
  • Praxis/PECT support for those in teacher certification programs

Read about us in the Press!