IU Kokomo addresses teacher shortage with paraprofessional program

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After years working in the insurance industry, Janelle Bolen decided she was ready for a career change.

After a year as a paraprofessional at Hamilton Heights Middle School, she found her calling as a teacher. The Pathways for Paraprofessionals program in the Indiana University Kokomo School of Education is helping her reach that goal, while continuing to work at her school.

“It’s been fantastic,” Bolen said. “I love that I can continue to work as part of my program. I would not have been able to do this without that flexibility.”

Bolen, from Arcadia, is one of about 70 students in IU Kokomo’s paraprofessional program, which is scheduled to allow these student support employees to earn a teaching degree and become a licensed teacher. Paraprofessionals from nearly 20 north central Indiana school districts are enrolled.

With schools struggling to fill open teaching positions, Tara Kingsley, interim associate dean of the School of Education, said the program allows schools to identify people they already know as potential educators, and support them to become licensed teachers.

“We want to tap into those rich funds of knowledge, and validate that they are already practicing these skills, often with the most vulnerable populations of students,” Kingsley said. “They bring a lot of experience and real-world knowledge into the classes. We try to tap into that knowledge and help them make the connections between what they see in their classrooms and what they learn in our classrooms.”

Kingsley said many of those enrolled were encouraged personally by their school leaders.

“It really is the principals and superintendents recommending students for this program, and encouraging paraprofessionals to enroll,” she said. “It gives them so much excitement and pride that their principal saw that in them. They’re not sending blanket e-mails; they are talking to the paraprofessionals they want to invest in. It makes a difference in their confidence.”

Bolen said Heights Superintendent Dr. Derek Arrowood contacted her about joining the program. She hopes to teach at Hamilton Heights, where she graduated from high school, after she earns her teaching degree. She said she appreciates being able to complete her college degree with support from her employer.

“What we are learning in IUK’s classrooms has real life applications,” she said. “We are seeing in real life what we are being taught. We are living it right now.”

Arrowood called the program a win-win for the school and the community, as it addresses both the teacher shortage and quality of education in the district.

“One of the benefits of participation is that it creates a great pathway for our outstanding paraprofessionals to seamlessly transition to a certified teacher in a school culture with which they are familiar,” he said. “The impact on the district is multifaceted: it strengthens our teacher pool of candidates who already know and love our kids, enhances the professional development of current staff, and ultimately leads to a more stable and supportive learning environment for our students.”

Paraprofessionals attend classes one evening per week, and have additional online classes, so they can continue to work in their schools. They take extra credits during the summer to complete all required credits to earn a bachelor’s degree in education.

“We offer a flexible schedule, with instructors who honor the life and work experience these students bring to the college classroom,” Kingsley said. “It benefits the school, because their skill levels are growing in their current classrooms while they are earning their certification.”

The newest cohort joined the School of Education in January, with an orientation funded with a grant from Women of the Well House, IU Kokomo’s philanthropic giving circle.

Kingsley noted that Frankfort Community Schools is participating in Indiana’s registered apprentice program for their paraprofessionals, which allows them to apply for funding to support their tuition and other costs. She anticipates other districts will join in the apprenticeship program moving forward.

Participating districts include Alexandria, Benton, Carmel-Clay, Elwood, Frankfort, Frankton, Hamilton Heights, Kokomo, Logansport, Madison-Grant, Marion, Mississinewa, Noblesville, Peru, Sheridan, Southwood, Tri-Central, Western, and Zionsville. Additional districts will join later in 2025.

For more information go to kokomo.iu.edu/education/pathways-for-paraprofessionals.