GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Fourteen Green Bay school district employees earned their associate degrees Thursday night from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College. These part-time staff members will now be eligible for full-time positions, which will help with staff shortages.
They’re are already thinking about making a significant impact on the Green Bay school district.
“The first thing I think about is the kids and I want to make sure I’m contributing as much to them as I can,” participant April DeMoulin said.
“I know I’m making a difference and like one children, that’s enough for me,” participant Cristina Martinez said.
The program was launched in 2021, with the goal of adding more instructors to the district. Those who graduated earned their associates degree in foundations of teacher education.
“We looked at where the needs were,” Green Bay Area Public School District Spokesperson Amy Fish said. “Every year we hire about 40 para-professionals so it really made us think what opportunities we have to create a pipeline. So we recognize that graduates of this program are some of our most qualified.”
The 18-month program was the result of a grant, given to the district by the department of workforce development. Students in the program don’t have to pay tuition.
“We have a really talented workforce at all of our levels,” Fish said. “So to be able to take a look at what monitors we have in place but what barriers they may face in order to advance their career, this is a really great opportunity.”
Each participant was carefully picked, with the goal of becoming full-time help in areas like substitute teaching.
“This is just like the first step because I would like to pursue my career in a much higher education- probably high school counselor or social worker,” Martinez said.
“I feel that they made a big impact on me and I want to return that favor and make a big impact on my community and my school district,” DeMoulin said.
Graduates will go from working three hours a day to full time work. They will earn about $22/hour, plus benefits.
