WSU Tech Announces New Paraeducator Program
Wichita, KS — Today, Wichita State University Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech) announced the launch of its Paraeducator Program, aimed at equipping individuals with essential skills for careers in elementary education. With classes starting in the fall 2024 semester at the WSU Tech South campus, the program offers a curriculum focused on classroom management, assessment, instructional technology, and experiential learning opportunities, grounded in a solid academic foundation in english, humanities, science, and social sciences.
“Our Paraeducator Program is designed to meet the evolving needs of the education sector by preparing our graduates to contribute effectively to elementary education,” said Dr. Sheree Utash, President of WSU Tech. “Through this initiative, we aim to enhance the quality of education within our community.”
The paraeducator program at WSU Tech is an essential step forward in enriching classroom support, with a specialized focus on assisting students with dyslexia. To ensure the curriculum is effective and current, WSU Tech has collaborated with the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center, leveraging their specialized knowledge to shape the dyslexia-focused portion of the training. This partnership has allowed the program to adopt proven, practical literacy strategies that paraeducators can use to help students build their reading and writing skills. Graduates from the program will enter classrooms with a robust set of skills tailored to support students with dyslexia.
“Through our partnership with WSU Tech, we’re equipping paraeducators with key strategies and resources that are crucial for the academic success of students with dyslexia,” stated Jeanine Phillips, President and CEO of the Phillips Fundamental Learning Center.
Kelly Bielefield, Superintendent of Wichita Public Schools, highlighted the program’s potential impact on local schools. “The introduction of this program is timely, given the current demand for well-trained paraeducators in our schools,” he stated. “The program will undoubtedly play a significant role in elevating the quality of education in the region.”
Emphasizing the practical aspects of the Paraeducator Program, WSU Tech has created avenues for students to apply their learning in real-world educational settings directly and to incorporate their work experience into their academic progress.
“The Paraeducator Program is uniquely structured to integrate applied learning opportunities, allowing students to merge theory with hands-on experience in real classroom settings,” said Dr. Jennifer Seymour, Vice President of General Education & Applied Technologies at WSU Tech. “Additionally, we value the professional experience our students bring to the table, offering avenues to count relevant work experience towards their coursework.”
The program offers graduates a pathway to further education, including a Baccalaureate in Elementary Education through a partnership with Wichita State University.
Dr. Shirley Lefever, Executive Vice President and Provost at Wichita State University, noted, “The Paraeducator Program at WSU Tech serves as an important bridge for individuals seeking to advance their education and career in teaching through our Teacher Apprentice Program and on-campus, Elementary Education or Early Childhood programs.”
This program is part of WSU Tech’s commitment to addressing critical needs in the education sector by providing comprehensive training and education pathways that support the professional growth of its students.
For those interested in learning more about the WSU Tech paraeducator program, an information session will be held on April 23, 2024, at WSU Tech’s South campus. To register or to learn more about the Paraeducator program, go to www.wsutech.edu/paraeducator.
