Classroom to Career

Raising the Next Generation of Educators

Working together to elevate the next generation of Texas educators, Education Service Center Region 13, Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT), and Abilene Christian University (ACU) have partnered together to create the Classroom to Career Teaching Track. This innovative program offers students the opportunity to earn their associates degree, obtain their paraprofessional certification, and enter the workforce – immediately upon graduating high school. In as little as two additional years, they will be eligible to become a fully licensed teacher.

Creating Licensed Teachers Faster

Preparing your students for a brighter future, the Classroom to Career program will challenge how they think critically and grow into goal-oriented individuals focused on serving others while becoming a crucial part of the education staff in your district.

Infographic. Traditional Teacher pathway consists of three phases: High School, College, and Career/Licensed Teacher. Classroom to Career Teaching track consists of two phases: High School with concurrent LIT coursework, and Career. Career has two subphases: working as an aide with concurrent ACU coursework, followed by licensed teacher.

Benefits and Requirements

Districts

Benefits:

  • Expand educator CTE pathway and increase access for dual credit opportunities
  • Develop pool of paraprofessionals and create a student to teacher pipeline
  • Address targeted CCMR attainment
Requirements:
  • Recruit students to participate in Education and Training CTE pathway
  • Collaborate with ESC Region 13 and Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) to facilitate course scheduling and instruction
  • Provide time and funding for paraprofessionals to attend LIT courses to complete Bachelors degree and teacher certification

Students

Benefits:
  • Graduate with a paraprofessional or Educational Aide certification, Associate Degree, and/or college credit hours
  • Immediate employment within district as paraprofessional (vacancy-dependent) with time for continued education
  • Opportunity to earn bachelors and teaching certification
Requirements:
  • Participate in CTE Education and Training pathway
  • Complete certification and serve as a paraprofessional within district
  • Earn bachelors and teaching certification and commit to teaching with the district for an agreed number of years

Teachers

Benefits:
  • Option to become accredited by LIT to teach dual credit courses (Masters degree required)
  • Opportunity to participate in higher education courses to earn Masters degree
  • Stipend for teaching dual credit courses
Requirements:
  • Work with LIT and ESC Region 13 to provide CTE and dual credit courses to students
  • Serve as classroom facilitator (if not teacher of record)
  • Mentor student participants