PATERSON — With 118 teaching jobs still unfilled, the Paterson school district is hoping to use a $500,000 state grant to help current non-teacher employees get credentials that would allow them to become classroom educators.
City education officials said they expect the grant will allow between 25 and 40 people who currently work in the district as instructional aides and teacher assistants to get teaching certificates.
Exactly how long that will take will vary on a case-by-case basis depending on the backgrounds of the aides and assistants, also known as paraprofessionals, officials said.
“This grant is an incredible opportunity to uplift our dedicated paraprofessionals who have already shown their commitment to Paterson Public Schools,” said Superintendent Lauri Newell in a statement.
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“By supporting their career advancement, we are strengthening our classrooms and ensuring that our students have access to highly qualified educators in areas where they are needed most,” Newell said.
The Paterson district, which has among the lowest student test scores in New Jersey, had 152 vacancies at the start of the year. The district has about 2,140 teachers on its payroll.
The school board in September hired Proximity Learning, a Texas-based company, to provide virtual instruction to compensate for the high number of classes without teachers.
When the East Orange school district announced its would be laying off dozens of teachers earlier this fall, Paterson reached out to the people losing their jobs in Essex County. But so far, the Paterson district has hired just three employees from East Orange.
The new state grant will provide aides and assistants in Paterson funding for certification test preparation and exam, tuition for required coursework, training, and classroom supplies.
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Paraprofessionals already have connections with students
Officials said helping paraprofessionals already working in Paterson to get their teaching credentials will pay dividends for the district.
“Our paraprofessionals have deep connections with our students and community,” said assistant superintendent Luis Rojas, who oversees human resources. “This grant not only invests in their professional growth but also ensures continuity of care and excellence for our students. This is a win for everyone in Paterson Public Schools.”
John McEntee Jr., president of the city’s teachers’ union, said the Paterson Education Association supports the district’s plan for getting aides and assistants their certifications. He said the union was seeking to get “added resources” for the initiative so that “every child in Paterson will have a union employee in their classroom.”
McEntee said training aides and assistants will be a much better option than having Proximity conduct virtual classes in Paterson. He said he does not think those classes have been effective.
Paterson Press almost two months ago asked district officials if it could observe Proximity-conducted classes, but has not received permission.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ, with teacher vacancies, hopes to certify other staff